As Clean as It Gets

As juicing became popular across America, the brand Clean Juice looked to stand out. Its solution wasn't a new product-it was raising the standards for all its products.

- MADELINE GARFINKLE

Kat Eckles wasn't always a healthy food enthusiast. But after having her first child, she became more conscious about her diet. "It was the first time in my life that I really thought about being as healthy as possible, so I could be with my family as long as possible," Eckles recalls. She started exploring "superfoods"-foods believed to be densely packed with nutrients-but thought they were all gross. When she blended them (and a few extras) into a smoothie, however, they became delicious.

Eckles saw an opportunity. So in 2015, with no prior business experience, she and her husband relocated from New York to North Carolina to open their own juice store. Since then, their brand Clean Juice has grown into a franchise with over 125 locations-just as juicing became popular nationwide. Clean Juice remains set apart from the crowd, though: It is the only USDA-certified organic juice and food franchise, ever. Here, she talks about how they've worked to be accessible while standing out.