Juice restaurant franchisee makes Florida debut in Lakewood Ranch

A new healthy restaurant concept is coming to Lakewood Ranch, marking the entry for the brand in the Florida market.

The Juice Pod is opening on April 12 on Lakewood Main Street. Its menu features cold-pressed juices; smoothies; toasts; wellness shots; and bowls with acai, pitaya, coconut and green bases, according to a statement.

Lakewood Ranch residents Tali and Jeremy Williams own The Juice Pod. Jeremy Williams has experience as an entrepreneur, having run an insurance agency in Ohio, while Tali Williams has a background in education but has always been focused on clean, local ingredients, according to a statement. She originally began juicing to manage psoriasis and autoimmune symptoms, according to a statement.

While traveling in Italy, the Williams met Jon and Danielle Leonhardt, the latter of whom founded The Juice Pod in 2016 in New Jersey. The two couples instantly clicked, according to a statement, and the Lakewood Ranch duo became sold on the brand and the mission of The Juice Pod. The brand currently has 20 locations in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Owning a Juice Pod franchise requires an investment of $159,220 to $309,000, as well as a $40,000 partnership agreement fee with 6% royalties, according to the company’s website.

Now empty nesters, the Williams seized the opportunity to launch a business that aligned with their values of health and community and featured a product they love, according to the statement. They selected Lakewood Ranch because of its wellness-minded residents and sense of community, the statement says. 

“We’re excited to bring something fresh and good-for-you to Main Street and can’t wait to welcome everyone,” Tali Williams says in a statement. “We want to be the go-to wellness spot in Lakewood Ranch by offering a place that’s friendly, vibrant and built around community.”

The Juice Pod is at 8111 Lakewood Main St., Suite J102, in Lakewood Ranch.