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Clean Juice aims to be a leader in the healthy foods marketClean Juice aims to be a leader in the healthy foods market

Clean Juice co-founders Landon and Kat Eckles discuss the growth of their Charlotte, N.C.-based juice franchise and the creation of a lifestyle brand

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

July 9, 2021

While 2020 was undoubtedly a banner year for comfort food winners like pizza and chicken sandwiches during the challenging days of the pandemic, Charlotte, N.C.-based smoothie and organic healthy foods chain Clean Juice saw significant growth with their focus on a healthy, organic lifestyle.

In 2020, Clean Juice saw double-digit sales growth and expanded their unit count by more than 15%, adding 14 new units to their portfolio. Clean Juice co-founders, CEO Landon Eckles and chief branding officer, Kat Eckles credits much of their success over the past year to the passion of their franchisees.

“I think our owners just really believe in the brand,” Kat Eckles said. “[…] Come hell or high water, they're not letting their doors close because they really, it's, you know, it's more personal, it's more intimate to them, then, you know, maybe wrapping up a burrito and sending it off.”

But for the Eckles, the secret to success stems from their approach to Clean Juice as a lifestyle, not just a foodservice brand. Learn more about the Clean Juice lifestyle and their pandemic leadership style in the video below.

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine.

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events.

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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