Naked Smoothies is adding two protein-forward SKUs to its ready-to-drink lineup: Chocolate Banana Protein and Blueberry Cheesecake Protein, both formulated with real fruit, plant-based protein and no added sugar. The Chicago-based brand timed the launch to National Smoothie Day, June 8, leaning into the functional-beverage momentum that has reshaped c-store cooler door allocations over the past several years.
The new flavors target the same morning and midday dayparts where dispensed beverage and foodservice programs compete hardest for the on-the-go shopper. Unlike roller grill or back-of-house prepared items, bottled RTD smoothies require no labor and slot cleanly into single-door or multi-door cooler sets — a practical advantage for single-store operators (SSOs) and regional chains managing tight labor budgets.
Protein positioning has become one of the faster-growing attributes in the c-store packaged beverage segment. Operators stocking functional RTDs — protein shakes, enhanced waters and high-protein smoothies — have reported the category pulling incremental basket rings rather than cannibalizing traditional cold vault carbonated soft drink facings. Naked, which has operated in the smoothie category for more than 40 years, is leaning on flavor cravability — Blueberry Cheesecake in particular — to drive trial beyond its existing health-oriented consumer base.
For buyers building out their better-for-you beverage shelf, the no-added-sugar callout addresses a growing purchase driver. NACS data has consistently shown that health-and-wellness attributes influence c-store beverage selection for a meaningful share of younger adult shoppers, the same demographic fueling foodservice and premium packaged goods growth inside the four walls. Chocolate Banana, with its dessert-adjacent profile, also positions well against the indulgent-but-functional trend that has lifted protein bar and premium snack sales at the forecourt.
Naked did not disclose distribution specifics, pricing or initial retail partners for the new SKUs at launch time.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
