Robeks, a California-based franchise providing a variety of premium fruit smoothies, healthy snacks, wraps and salads, is opening three new locations in the DC region. Facilitating the smoothie chain’s regional growth is Annapolis-based contractor, Encore Construction, Inc., who is building the new Robeks locations – one each in Maryland, DC and Virginia.

“With rapid growth plans for the DC region, Robeks needed a contractor capable of rolling out multiple units in a short period of time,” said Adam Perel, Robeks' regional developer for the DC area. “In Encore we found a partner who is efficient, flexible, and expert in delivering value for our franchisees and their store build out investments.  Our expansion to 15 stores and the number one smoothie chain in the DC area is due in no small part to our relationship with Encore.”

The three newest Robeks to the mid-Atlantic will open in late August. Each new store is owned and operated by a different Robeks’ franchisee, but the results will be the same – continued growth in the region for one of the nation’s top franchised chains.

More than 30 metropolitan regions across the United States have seen Robeks stores open in retail storefronts and shopping centers since the company formed in 1996. Out of the 15 Robeks locations in the DC region, Encore has built 14 stores. The DC region is also the fastest growing region for Robeks, which now operates 120 stores nationally.

Joining Encore on the development of these three new franchise locations in the tri-state area is Glen Burnie-based architect, L2M, who designed each new location with individual franchisees’ needs and Robeks’ corporate standards in mind. “L2M has a lot of experience in franchise roll outs with multiple locations; therefore, their experience was well-aligned with Robeks’ needs,” said Perel. L2M previously worked on the Falls Church, VA Robeks location with Encore.

“The project teams for the new Robeks stores have demonstrated excellent team work. It has been a pleasure to work with L2M and we hope to have the opportunity to partner with their firm on future projects,” said John Klakamp, President of Encore Construction. “Encore was happy to once again complete facilities that meet Robeks’ franchise expansion needs in this region and we look forward to continuing a strong relationship with them.”

Encore began renovations for the DC location at the end of May and completed the 733 square foot tenant build out in a period of six weeks. The 1,452 square foot tenant build out in Alexandria, VA and the third tenant build out of 1134 square feet in Potomac, MD were also completed in six weeks by the Encore team.

Owning and operating the new franchise location are Health Smoothies 4 The Soul LLC for the Robeks located in Washington, DC; The Three Amigos Enterprise LLC for the new store in Alexandria, VA; and Airport Road Smoothies LLC for the location in Potomac, MD.

In 2006, Robeks ranked ninth on Entrepreneur magazine’s list of Top New Franchises and has appeared multiples times on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® rankings (2005, 2006, 2007) and the magazine’s America's Top Global Franchises list (2006, 2007).