Better-For-You QSR Brand Explores Edible Straw Options
MORRISTOWN, NJ (April 17, 2019): Just in time for Earth Day, Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt®, the quick-service brand known for serving real fruit smoothies with over 30 locations nationwide, can today announce an exciting new exploration into the field of sustainability, as it begins testing carrot straws for use in its smoothies and fresh squeezed juices.
Recent estimations using trash collected on U.S. coastlines during cleanups over five years show that there are nearly 7.5 million plastic straws lying around America's shorelines. These straws are damaging not only aquatic life nationwide, but are also polluting America’s natural resources, causing long-lasting damage to the country. While many businesses have taken to banning straws altogether, Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt wanted to explore alternative options that still take guests who need to use straws into consideration – creating the first prototype for the carrot straw, a hollowed-out carrot that performs like a plastic straw but can be either eaten or composted after use.
“As I’m sure everyone is well aware, plastic straws are one of the world’s top polluters, damaging our national resources irreparably,” said Andrew Steinberg, Chief Operating Officer, Villa Restaurant Group. “At Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt, we feel for the sea turtles and all our ocean creatures. As such, we wanted to begin thinking about an alternative to the simple plastic straw we use so often in smoothie and juice consumption. We’ve started testing a prototype for a carrot straw in the hopes that one day we may be able to serve all our nutritious juices, smoothies and more with a healthy, edible and ultimately environmentally friendly straw option nationwide.”
At this time, Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt is still in the testing and planning phase of product design.
Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt also offers real fruit smoothies, fresh-squeezed juices, nonfat frozen yogurt sundaes and an assortment of natural grab-and-go snacks. Its customizable menu model offers guests the option of choosing a delicious smoothie from a list of classic flavor combos, which can be made dairy-free upon request, or creating their own by combining fresh ingredients and adding a nutrient rich boost.
For more information, please visit www.greenleafsbananas.com, or follow along on Instagram @greenleafsbananas.
About Villa Restaurant Group℠ (previously known as Villa Enterprises)
Villa Restaurant GroupSM is a global multi-brand restaurant operator and franchisor. Founded in 1964 by Michele (Michael) Scotto, a Naples, Italy native, Villa Restaurant Group, began as a small pizzeria next to the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. Today, Villa Restaurant Group is an international organization that recently celebrated its 52nd anniversary with nearly 350 restaurants in malls, airports, casinos and other high-traffic locations.
Villa Restaurant Group’s quick-service restaurant brands, including Villa Italian Kitchen®, Green Leaf’s Beyond Great Salads®, Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt®, South Philly Cheesesteaks & Fries®, Far East Asian Fire®, and other emerging brands, can be found throughout the United States and internationally. Villa also operates full service restaurants in New Jersey under the 40North Restaurant Group® brand including The Black Horse Tavern & Pub®, The Office Tavern Grill®, The OFFICE Beer Bar & Grill®, Steelworks Buffet & Grill®, Piattino: A Neighborhood Bistro® and George + Martha’s®. For more information, please visit www.villarestaurantgroup.com.
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