Walnut Avenue store set to open this October
The Walnut Avenue location is scheduled to open this October. It will test a new Smoothie King prototype: a drive-thru/walk-up design inspired by coffee concepts such as Dutch Bros and Scooter’s.
“I’m a risk taker. I believe in thinking outside of the box. I said, ‘Why don’t I try to open one of the Smoothie King prototypes and see how it does,’” Flores said. “We’re very excited. We’re staffed up and ready to go. It’s just a matter of getting last-minute things done with the city, getting our certificate of occupancy and getting our training done. Then we’ll open our doors to the public.”
FM 306 location coming early 2026
While the Walnut Avenue store nears its debut, Paul and his wife, Sharla, are also preparing a fourth location on FM 306 near H-E-B Plus. Architectural and design work is complete, with build-out expected soon. The target opening is February 2026.
“An opportunity on FM 306, especially so close to the H-E-B, doesn’t open up very often. We had to jump on it; it made sense,” Flores said.
This location will feature a modern design and upgraded technology, including digital menu boards and a sleek interior aimed at making the store a destination rather than a quick stop.
New menu options
Smoothie King is also expanding its food offerings beyond traditional smoothies. Popular smoothie bowls remain a favorite.
“The guests love our smoothie bowls because we offer variety, they’re filling and they’re very tasty,” Flores said.
The franchise also recently introduced:
- Hearty 8 Grain Loaded Avocado Toast
- Hearty 8 Grain Loaded Peanut Butter Toast
- Hearty 8 Grain Loaded Chocolate Hazelnut Toast
- Protein boxes with eggs, cheeses, peanut butter and fruit
Building a team for growth
Behind the new locations and expanded menu is a focus on people. Flores credits his managers and staff for keeping operations smooth and consistent.
“It’s not so much me as it is my managers and my team,” he said. “I would not be where I am today without my team in both my New Braunfels and Boerne locations.”
Training is a core part of the company culture, and employees are encouraged to grow into leadership roles.
“Our mentality is that we’re always training managers and future franchisees,” Flores said. “We want [our staff] to start with the intention that one day they’re going to be a manager.”
Looking ahead
Flores plans to expand with two more stores in the future, eventually bringing his total to six locations. For now, the focus remains on opening Walnut Avenue in October and breaking ground on FM 306. Both projects highlight confidence in New Braunfels’ growth and the strong community support driving Smoothie King forward.
Ready to see what’s new? Visit Smoothie King in New Braunfels to experience fresh menu items, healthy options and the brand’s newest store designs.
Locations:
- 654 S. Walnut Ave., New Braunfels (New!)
- 1659 TX-46, Ste. 175, New Braunfels
- 228 W. Bandera Road, Ste. 200, Boerne
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.
