Paul Flores, the franchise owner of two Smoothie Kings, one in New Braunfels and one in Boerne, began his professional journey far from the smoothie bar. A former teacher and coach, Flores spent years guiding students and athletes, gaining a deep appreciation for the value of relationships and teamwork. Ultimately, though, it was a personal routine that inspired his transition to franchise ownership.

“When I taught in Houston, I coached as well. Prior to our games, I needed a little pick-me-up, and the only thing close to us with nutritional value was Smoothie King. It became part of my pregame ritual,” Flores said. “When my wife and I were considering the move to New Braunfels, I decided that I didn't want to teach anymore, but I had no idea what I wanted to do. Then, one day before a game, I walked into my Smoothie King. Right when I opened the door, it was like confetti cannons went off in the background. I knew that was it.”

Smoothie King New Braunfels building

When Flores and his wife, Sharla, opened their first Smoothie King location in New Braunfels, they envisioned it as a single-store operation dedicated to serving their community. That vision was soon tested by the unexpected challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced them to adapt in ways they had never imagined.

“We opened our doors in November 2019. When COVID hit in March 2020, we were ordered to shut down our lobby,” Flores said. “Being a new business owner, I wasn't prepared for a situation like that. We took a lot of risks, relying solely on online ordering, phone orders and curbside service. We shortened our store hours, scheduled employees for only two-hour shifts and we kept the lights off at work to save on electricity. We were working in the dark, but somehow we made it.”

As restrictions eased, the community rallied around their store, offering overwhelming support. That encouragement inspired Flores and his wife to dream bigger and explore the possibility of expansion.

Woman poses with a Smoothie King cup

“My ultimate goal is to grow, but that wasn't always the plan. My wife and I were content with one store, but after COVID, we could see that there was a demand for more New Braunfels locations,” Flores said. “Our Guests were constantly asking, ‘Are there any plans to open more Smoothie Kings here?’ I didn't really think about it until we heard it repeatedly. So I asked my wife, ‘What do you think about growing the business?’ At first, we were hesitant, but we decided to take the leap of faith and purchased the location in Boerne.”

Now, the couple is planning to open two more New Braunfels locations by the end of 2025—one at I-35 and Walnut and the other at I-35 and FM 306. These locations will give Flores even more opportunities to connect with his guests.

Flores’ passion for his team is just as strong as his love for his community. He credits their hard work, loyalty and attention to detail as the driving force behind the store’s success.

“My employees are the backbone of the business. I wouldn't be where I'm at right now if it weren't for their commitment and their loyalty,” Flores said. “I'm always thanking them for making me look good.”

Smoothie King menu

To give back to his community, Flores partners with local youth sports organizations such as New Braunfels Little League, New Braunfels Thunder and New Braunfels High School. Moreover, for over four years, Smoothie King has proudly sponsored Surge Aquatics, a local competitive swim team, providing smoothies for coaches and offering coupons to attendees during meets. In addition, Flores actively supports community events like local 5Ks, triathlons and trail runs, further showcasing his commitment to promoting health, wellness and community engagement.

Smoothie King New Braunfels interior sign

With new locations on the horizon and plans to introduce hot food items to the menu, Flores is gearing up to take the Smoothie King experience to the next level. As he and his team continue to dream big and push boundaries, one thing is clear: the best is yet to come for Smoothie King in New Braunfels.

Visit Flores’ New Braunfels location today at 1659 TX-46, Ste. 175.

The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.