Smoothie King, the US-based health and fitness fast-casual brand, has announced the appointment of Gavin Felder as its new president.
Felder, who joined the company in May 2024, will also maintain his current role as chief financial officer (CFO).
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Smoothie King owner and CEO Wan Kim said: “Gavin is a dynamic and visionary leader with a strong track record of driving results and building high-performing teams.”
“His impact over the past year has been significant, and this expanded role is a natural next step as we continue to build on our brand’s success.”
Since his arrival, Felder has been pivotal in driving financial discipline and strategic growth initiatives, enhancing Smoothie King’s performance, the brand stated.
In his dual role as president and CFO, he will oversee the day-to-day management while continuing to lead the company’s financial strategy. This move is aimed at positioning Smoothie King for further innovation and expansion.
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By GlobalDataFelder said: “It’s a tremendous honour to step into this role as we embark on our next chapter of growth.”
“Smoothie King literally has all the ingredients to be the defining brand of our category, with the tastiest products backed by our Clean Blends promise and a truly unrivalled guest experience, all anchored by our inspiring mission and dynamic culture. I could not be more excited to partner with our team members and franchisees to realize our incredible potential.”
Felder’s leadership experience spans over two decades, with a background in strategy, finance, brand-building, and franchise operations.
Before his tenure at Smoothie King, he served 16 years at Yum! Brands, including as chief strategy officer, where he managed corporate strategy, investor relations, M&A, and store innovation.
He also held the role of CFO for KFC Global, managing over $1bn in operating profit and nearly 25,000 restaurants in 140 countries.
This leadership announcement follows Smoothie King’s performance in Q1 2025, which saw 13 new store openings in eight states and 20 new store commitments in 15 markets.
The brand is focusing on expanding its footprint, optimising the guest experience, and broadening its product range.
This includes the recent launch of its Hydration category, offering three new electrolyte-packed smoothies with clean ingredients and no artificial additives.
In January, Smoothie King also welcomed Claudia Schaefer as its new chief marketing officer, further strengthening its executive team.
