1. Jamba Juice was inspired by an intense cycling workout.
Back in 1990, while sipping on a post-workout smoothie, founder Kirk Perron decided to bring his recipes to the rest of the world by opening the first location in San Luis Obispo, CA using a loan from his mother.
2. It used to be called Juice Club.
The shop became so popular that over 2,600 customers came in during the first weekend of opening. Today, there are more than 800 locations in 26 states, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, and South Korea.
3. The name change has a special meaning.
In 1995, Perron swapped out Juice Club for Jamba Juice, which is a play on the African word, jama, which means "to celebrate."
4. The rewards program is legit.
Jamba Insider Rewards gets you $3 off your next purchase just for signing up, then more $3 off coupons every time you rack up 35 points. You'll also get a free smoothie on your birthday and the chance to skip the line if you order online or with the mobile app.
5. The menu has more than tripled since the beginning.
In 2008 wraps, salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads were first offered. And in 2014, the brand expanded its selection to açai bowls, oatmeal, Belgian waffles, and apple-cinnamon pretzels.
6. Their bottled smoothies totally tanked.
When the smoothie craze peaked in 2007, Jamba Juice partnered with Nestlé to offer pre-made smoothies in portable bottles. But because of "challenges ... with manufacturing on a consistent basis, resulting in inventory and out-of-stock issues" the idea was nixed after about a year.
7. There are 35 smoothies on the menu.
Ranging from nutrition-packed protein shakes to fruit-and-veggie infusions to creamy dessert drinks. Plus, there are protein and energy boosts (soy, caffeine, whey, chia seed) and 13 different fresh-squeezed juices.
8. Yes, there's a secret menu.
If you know what to ask for, you can get the Fruity Pebbles (soy milk, raspberry, pineapple, lime, and orange sherbet); peanut butter and jelly (soy milk, frozen yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, and peanut butter); and Pink Starburst (soy milk, lemonade, raspberry sherbet, frozen yogurt, sorbet, and strawberries).
9. Jamba Juice helps every community it's located in.
The company partners with the Kids Gardening, a division of the National Gardening Association (NGA), through a grant program that gives children the opportunity to connect with the earth and share experiences together. It also gives them the chance to win funding for their schools and communities.
10. Most of their smoothies have more sugar than a candy bar.
A regular Snickers bar has 27 grams of sugar, and most of Jamba Juice's smoothies clock in at around 60-plus grams. And that's just for small. Once you order a large, you risk consuming more than 100 grams of sugar in one sitting.
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