Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies is a tropical-themed food and beverage franchise offering premium smoothies and gourmet Hawaiian coffees. It was founded in 1982 by Jeff and Jill Summerhays, who wanted to bring healthy, island-inspired drinks to the mainland U.S.
The franchise began expanding in 1997 and has grown through flexible mobile kiosks and carts at high-traffic venues like sports arenas, college campuses, and festivals. The company is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is part of the Kahala Brands family under MTY Franchising USA.
Maui Wowi specializes in all-natural, gluten-free fruit smoothies and rich Kona-blend coffees. Its mobile tiki hut-style units set it apart from traditional storefronts, allowing franchisees to operate at thousands of events nationwide.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Maui Wowi offers 3types of franchises:
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Maui Wowi Fixed Operating Unit.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Maui Wowi offers 3types of franchises:
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Maui Wowi Fixed Operating Unit.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Maui Wowi provides structured training programs to help franchisees effectively operate their business. The training is mandatory and prepares franchisees for food safety compliance and daily operations.
Maui Wowi does not provide exclusive territory protection to its franchisees. Franchisees receive rights only to specific approved locations or events, such as a “Permanent Site” or a “Protected Event.”
Outside these limited instances, franchisees may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or different brands operated by the franchisor. While the franchisor does consider the proximity of existing franchise units when approving new sites, it does not guarantee exclusivity in any geographical area.
Even within an approved Permanent Site or Protected Event, the franchisee’s rights are conditional and not dependent on factors like sales performance. Additionally, Maui Wowi retains the right to market its products through other distribution channels, which may overlap with franchisees' locations.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
Below are some of
Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies
key competitors in the
Healthy
sector.
80
$30,000
$29,000
$597,000
n.a.
$0
$xxx,xxx
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
Sip Fresh is a beverage franchise offering handcrafted fruit-based juices, teas, and bowls, serving mall shoppers and health-conscious guests, and known for vibrant displays, interactive ordering, and freshly prepared drinks highlighting real fruit, bold flavors, and an engaging in-store experience.
?
?
Bowl Boss Açaí is a health-food-café franchise offering customizable acai bowls, smoothies and wellness snacks, serving health-conscious consumers and casual café guests, and known for premium ingredients, modern décor and strong franchise scalability.
?
?
Tru Bowl Superfood Bar is a health-food café franchise offering açaí bowls, juices and customizable wellness meals, serving health-conscious consumers and casual café guests, and known for modern branding, efficient service and appealing studio-style footprint.
?
?
Sauce on the Side is a fast-casual restaurant franchise offering hand-crafted calzones, salads and desserts, serving diners seeking quality and convenience, and known for fresh dough-made-in-house, strong off-premise sales channels and modern dine-in ambiance.
?
?
Salad House is a health-focused café franchise offering build-your-own salads, wraps and smoothies, serving wellness-oriented diners and families, and known for fresh ingredients, customisation and fast-casual convenience.
?
?
Choosing a franchise goes beyond reviewing fees and financials — it requires an honest assessment of your goals, skills, and risk tolerance. This article outlines the key questions prospective owners should ask before committing. It helps clarify whether the opportunity aligns with your lifestyle, long-term plans, and operational preferences.
Speaking with current and former franchisees is one of the most reliable ways to understand how a franchise really operates. This guide explains how to conduct validation calls, what questions to ask, and how to identify patterns in feedback. It provides a practical framework for uncovering real performance expectations and support quality.
Not all franchise opportunities offer the same potential. This article breaks down how to evaluate a brand’s industry, financial health, support systems, and competitive positioning. It helps prospective buyers compare options and identify franchises with strong long-term viability.
A clear, well-structured business plan is essential for securing financing and preparing for the realities of franchise ownership. This article explains how to build a plan that covers market analysis, operations, staffing, and local marketing. It also outlines how to create realistic pro forma financials, including revenue projections, startup costs, and break-even analysis. Readers gain a practical framework they can use when applying for loans or planning their first years of operations.
.png)
