Have you had your smoothie today? No matter the time of day, a smoothie can be an energy drink, dessert, snack or even a nutritious meal.
“Smoothies are a universal food. We can make it fruity, make it healthy, and even make it a little naughty and extra sweet,” said Murtaza Choilawala, a local Planet Smoothie owner. “No matter your mood, a smoothie can satisfy all your food desires and needs.”
Choilawala is part owner of four Planet Smoothie establishments, including a new Planet Smoothie across from The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.
“We open at seven in the morning, and many days we already have four or five customers waiting outside to get their smoothie for the day, especially people looking for healthy alternatives to typical fast-food breakfasts,” Choilawala said.
Planet Smoothie uses fresh ingredients that include apples, blueberries, strawberries, acai, chia seeds, matcha green tea, leafy greens, wheatgrass, whole grain oats, almond milk, and many more healthy ingredients.
“We pride ourselves on the use of fresh fruit,” Choilawala said. “We use real fruit, which means we peel our bananas and core our apples. Other fruits are flash frozen as soon as they’re picked, so they retain their flavors and nutrients.”
Planet Smoothie prides itself on its all-natural selection. It uses Truvia, a stevia-based sweetener that is naturally made, and does not use any artificial flavorings or sweeteners.
To help customers quickly find the smoothie best for them, Planet Smoothie menus are organized by the health benefits of particular smoothie groups.
“If you look at the Planet Smoothie menu, it’s divvied up by lifestyle,” Choilawala said. “What is your goal? Do you want a smoothie to give you energy, help you lose weight, or supplement your nutrient and protein intake for the day?” asked Choilawala.
He goes on to explain that energy smoothies give a little kick to help get through the day, Planet Lite smoothies are low on calories, superfood smoothies provide daily essentials of vitamins and nutrients, and protein smoothies are good for those who work out and want to bulk up.
Planet Smoothie also offers a list of add-ins, and encourages customers to experiment and pick their own flavors to create their own custom smoothie.
“We can work with you to create whatever you want,” said Choilawala. “Typically, if you give us a few fruits, we’ll start you off at a base. Or, we can just swap out strawberries and bananas for something else. We’re pretty flexible — you don’t have to follow a menu.”
Choilawala also emphasizes that Planet Smoothie focuses on more than just product quality.
“Although we are a franchise model, each store is locally owned and operated. We’re a family business,” he said. “Customer service is a big focus for the Planet Smoothie brand. It’s not just a great smoothie, but it’s a great experience. We train our employees to make sure that they meet the needs of the customer.”
Try a smoothie at the new Planet Smoothie Wesley Chapel location off State Road 56, directly across from The Shops at Wiregrass. For more information, call (813) 388-9585.