Clean Juice has a new owner.
The Dallas-based multi-brand franchise group Brix Holdings on Friday announced an agreement to acquire all of the assets of Clean Juice, an organic juice bar brand.
Terms were not disclosed, but the deal is expected to close within the next few weeks, the company said.
The acquisition will bring more than 75 Clean Juice locations—with a dozen more in development—into Brix, which will then total more than 300 restaurants within its portfolio across eight brands. Other brands under Brix Holdings include Friendly’s, Orange Leaf, Red Mango, Smoothie Factor + Kitchen, Humble Donut Co., and Pizza Jukebox.
Clean Juice co-founder and CEO Landon Eckles will remain on in an consulting role for 90 days after the deal closes, the company said.
Eckles and his wife Kat founded the brand in 2016 in North Carolina. Clean Juice is described as the first USDA-certified organic juice franchise, and the menu includes both cold-pressed and bottled juices, smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, acai bowls and salads.
Franchisees of the brand have expressed frustration in recent months about shifts in operations, which the franchisor said were designed to improve profitability.
Last year, many franchisees said they were struggling to stay viable, and more than 50 operators took to mediation in a bid to get out of their franchise agreements.
With 75 units joining the Brix portfolio, it appears more than 60 Clean Juice units have closed this year. The chain ended 2023 with 139 units, according to Technomic data. Sales were up 9.6% year over year to $77.6 million.
Sherif Mityas, CEO of Brix, said in a statement that Clean Juice fits well into the group’s mix.
“Our Brix portfolio of brands all share a common thread: each has a unique and differentiated position in their sector with loyal guests and fans. Clean Juice fits right into that mold with a strong foundation of beloved and certified organic offerings that effectively extend our spectrum of ‘better-for-you’ options,” he said. “We look forward to bringing this great brand and its passionate franchisees and guests into our portfolio to support a renewed period of growth and success.”
Eckles said in a statement that this is the right next step in the brand’s journey.
“We launched this concept with a vision of redefining the fast-casual landscape by introducing an option that truly supports an overall healthy and organic lifestyle,” Eckles said. “We are confident that Clean Juice will be well positioned for future growth and success within the Brix family of brands.”
UPDATE: This story has been updated with new information from Brix Holdings.
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