Juices, wraps, smoothies on the menu at Beyond Juicery + Eatery in Green

For the fast food outlet accustomed to value McDonald’s meals, Arby’s emphasis on all meats or KFC fried chicken, the menu at the new Beyond Juicery + Eatery restaurant in Green will be a shock to the system.

The establishment opened this month on Massillon Road and has taken off, said Prada Masada, the restaurant’s operations manager and five others in Ohio, including one in Copley.

The restaurant is focused on the healthy, casual segment of the restaurant industry, a sector that is experiencing significant growth, especially as people emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic are looking for food and fashion options. healthier lives.

“Health and wellness is a hot topic for all of us,” Masada said.

Studies show that consumers are increasingly interested in healthy eating options, a trend that is expected to rebound as the pandemic recedes.

A 2020 survey by the International Food Information Council found that protein consumption from plant-based foods increased in 2020. The survey found that 28% of those surveyed were getting more protein from plant-based foods. , 24% ate more plant-based dairy products and 17% ate more plant-based meat products than in 2019.

A 2021 restaurant industry market report from the National Restaurant Association found that 38% of on-site patrons said healthy choices would impact their restaurant choice.

Beyond is banking on these trends, which took hold years before the arrival of COVID-19, have continued or increased.

Green was selected because it is a growing community, which suggests a young and prosperous population that focuses more on healthy food options, Masada said.

“These types of communities are the bread and butter of the business,” she said.

While all age groups are increasingly focusing on healthy food options, the movement is more pronounced the younger the client is.

So far, she said, the response to Green has been enthusiastic, especially during the opening.

“We had a full house here,” she said. “People were out in the parking lot.”

Beyond served 300 strawberry and banana smoothies during the opening, helping the new location attract its target customers.

“The younger crowd tends towards smoothies,” she said.

Green is the latest location for owner Eric Engelke, who runs the Ohio Juice Group, which plans to open 30 stores in five years. The first was in downtown Cleveland, and two more, in Lakewood and Brecksville, are scheduled for this summer.

Beyond the menu items are weighted towards fruits and vegetables, with salads, wraps and fruit bowls. For the customer who must have meat, the menu includes a turkey and bacon wrap and a chicken and spinach wrap with cilantro.

But smoothies dominate the food line, with items like Mango Tango (mango, pineapple, banana, coconut cream and honey), Very Berry (blueberry, strawberry, banana, coconut water and lime) and Peanut Butter. Mocha (banana, coffee, peanut butter, gluten-free oats, mocha latte and almond milk).

Bottled juices are also sold, with unique combinations like Crisp + Cultivate (apple, cucumber, celery, parsley, cabbage, spinach, lemon and ginger).

Juice shots include the Hot Shot (lemon, ginger, coconut water, and cayenne pepper) and the Elixir (apple, wheatgrass, lemon, parsley and ginger).

It’s far from a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee, but that’s the point, Masada said.

“We’re attracting a more health conscious crowd,” she said. “Who is our target [is]. “

Beyond’s roots go back to 2005, when a husband-wife team opened Michigan’s first restaurant.

It took a few years to reach the expansion stage, but in 2015 Beyond grew to three locations and now has 32. The Ohio Juice Group has the exclusive rights to Buckeye State.

In addition to focusing on fresh produce, Beyond strives to stay in tune with social media and cultural trends.

When COVID-19 took hold, it developed a HERO juice promotion with a bottle donated with every HERO bottle purchased. Masada said more than 8,000 bottles have been donated to the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University.

Masada said she hopes to develop relationships with local yoga and wellness studios, and a phone app gives customers a free smoothie.

Beyond also focuses on traditional food basics like fresh food and customer service, Masada said. He hires in the community and promotes from within when possible.

“We’re at a high level and we really want to be everyone’s best part of the day,” she said.

Leave a message to Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj.