What) Steve Kuhnau, founder of Smoothie King, is sometimes credited with the creation of the Smoothie. Working as a soda jerker in his teenage years, Kuhnau found himself unable to digest the very malts, shakes and floats he was preparing due to a lactose intolerance. Consequently, he formulated the world's first nutritional smoothie in his kitchen to serve as a healthier, dairy-free alternative to the popular ice cream based drinks of the era. His novel drink idea, a blend of fresh fruit coupled with vitamin and protein additives, proved also to be efficacious in treating his allergies and stabilizing his blood-sugar level.

    This creation was the impetus for an industry: shortly after his first store opened in Kenner, Louisiana in 1973, stores began to appear all over the New Orleans Metropolitan area, and subsequently in Washington, D.C. and 32 other contiguous United States. Kuhnau began to franchise the Smoothie King name and business in 1989. Smoothie King now encompasses over 600 locations (as of March 2009) and appeals to families and fitness enthusiasts alike. Its headquarters is in Covington, Louisiana. (1)

    Where) Baton Rouge, Houston, Mandeville, Miami

    Why) I had never heard of the Smoothie King franchise until we stumbled upon one in Baton Rouge, Louisiana while trying to find Mike the Tiger.  I didn't take a picture at that location because I didn't know how much I would enjoy my smoothie until we were back on the highway.  For some reason, I decided to make Pam photograph me holding a smoothie in front of every store we found after that.