Joe & The Juice, the Copenhagen-founded fresh juice and coffee chain with more than 500 locations across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, has filed permit applications with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation for a new location at 1900 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, according to a June 10, 2026 report from WhatNow.
The filing adds a potential Broward County unit to the brand’s existing South Florida network, which already includes locations throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. No opening date has been announced. Joe & The Juice operates under a company-owned, non-franchise model (not a franchise model): all units are managed directly by the Copenhagen-based parent company, and individual franchise agreements are not currently available in the United States. The Fort Lauderdale permit represents an early-stage step in what would be a new addition to the brand’s Broward County presence.
The filing adds a potential Broward County unit to the brand’s existing South Florida network, which already includes locations throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. No opening date has been announced. Joe & The Juice operates under a company-owned, non-franchise model (not a franchise brand) all units are managed directly by the Copenhagen-based parent company, and individual franchise agreements are not currently available in the United States. The Fort Lauderdale permit represents an early-stage step in what would be a new addition to the brand’s Broward County presence.
A Brand Built Around Fresh Beverages and a Distinctive Store Culture
Joe & The Juice was founded in 2002 in Copenhagen by Kaspar Basse, a former karate champion who built the concept around fresh-pressed juices, specialty espresso-based coffees, protein shakes, and a small food menu anchored by made-to-order sandwiches. The brand’s most widely recognized food item is the Tunacado, a tuna-and-avocado sandwich that generated significant organic social media traction. The store format, characterized by upbeat music, modern interiors, and a high-energy service style, has positioned the chain as a destination rather than a standard grab-and-go stop. Joe & The Juice also operates a mobile juice bus for catering and events, extending the brand’s presence beyond fixed retail locations. In the United States, the brand has concentrated its expansion in major urban markets, with its largest clusters in New York, California, and Florida, where health-conscious consumer demographics align with its core menu.
An Aggressive US Expansion Drive and South Florida’s Role in It
Joe & The Juice has identified the United States as a primary growth market. An expansion plan publicly reported by QSR Magazine called for adding 100 new US stores within an 18-month window, a target that would substantially increase the brand’s American footprint, which stood at approximately 71 locations as of late 2025. The brand’s global target is 1,000 locations by 2028, up from its current global count of more than 500. South Florida has been a consistent element of the US expansion strategy. A Fort Lauderdale unit at 1900 N. Federal Highway would position the brand in a high-traffic retail corridor in Broward County, adding to what is already one of the most developed Joe & The Juice markets in the country. The brand’s demographic target, urban millennials, Gen Z, and young professionals seeking health-forward on-the-go options, aligns with the South Florida population profile in suburban and urban corridors alike.
What the Permit Filing Means, and What It Does Not
A permit application filed with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation is a required administrative step for any new food service establishment, and it is typically submitted well before a location opens to the public. The filing indicates the brand’s intent to occupy a specific address but does not confirm a buildout timeline, a hiring schedule, or a public opening date. Joe & The Juice has not issued a formal press release or official announcement regarding the Fort Lauderdale location as of this publication date. For franchise professionals and investors tracking the premium beverage sector, Joe & The Juice’s corporate expansion pace represents a relevant data point: the brand is a company-owned competitor that does not share unit-level risk with independent operators, giving it a different growth profile than franchise systems operating in the same juice, coffee, and fast-casual segment.
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