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.

Training

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.

1. Food Safety Manager Training
   Franchisees are required to complete a food safety manager training program at their own expense. This can be a local county or state-approved program, or any nationally recognized food safety course. A certificate of completion must be submitted before attending Maui Wowi’s own training program.
2. Franchise Training Program
   While specifics of the core Franchise Training Program are referenced in the disclosure, the program is a prerequisite to operating a Maui Wowi franchise. Franchisees must attend and successfully complete this training before opening their business. The training covers operational, customer service, and compliance aspects essential for franchise success.
3. Ongoing Education and Seminars
   Maui Wowi also facilitates continuing education through seminars, conventions, and events. These are designed to keep franchisees updated on best practices, marketing strategies, and brand developments. Participation in these ongoing programs helps ensure consistent quality and performance across the franchise network.

Territory Protection

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.