Fresh Monkee offers healthy protein made-to-order shakes with fresh, all natural ingredients. The shakes are low in sugar, fats and calories, and most importantly, delicious!
- Owner: Kevin Alessandroni
- Address: 305 2nd Ave. in the Redner’s Shopping Center next to Tortugas Restaurant (map it)
- E-Mail: [email protected]
- Phone: 610-209-1700
- Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
Why the Fresh Monkee franchise?
When Kevin Alessandroni retired after 30 years in the corporate tech industry, he started looking for a franchise that he could believe in. He personally loved fresh, healthy protein shakes. When he tasted Fresh Monkee’ s products, he was intrigued. In researching the business, he drove to Connecticut to personally meet with July Flynn, the business’s founder.
Most juice bars rely on sugary fruit blends and chemical powders, and strip away the fiber from the fruits and veggies. But fiber is essential for a healthy gut and for feeling satisfied. Most of the coffee drinks and smoothies on the market are loaded with sugar and calories. Judy’s vision for the business was simple: “Start every shake with high-quality protein, good carbs, healthy fats, and real ingredients.”
Kevin learned that a nutritionist on staff created the protein shakes to ensure that they maximized healthy nutrition. He concluded that “The protein shakes had a phenomenal taste, and my research showed that they were truly healthy. I live in Royersford Borough, and made the decision to open up one Fresh Monkee store on their Main Street and one in Collegeville Borough. At one point I looked at opening on the Main Line, but I love how honestly nice and genuine the residents of both our boroughs are.”
Why the name?
When Judy was trying to think of a name for her business, she knew she wanted the word “fresh” to be part of it, because the fresh, wholesome ingredients were the nutritional key. When she looked up from her pondering, she noticed her son’s toy monkey. The name “Fresh monkey” had already been taken, so she settled on “Fresh Monkee.”
Tasty, Good-for-You Natural Shakes and Coffees
“Protein is the foundation of all our shakes,” Kevin explains. Fresh monkee offers a wide variety of shakes, as well as two types of coffee–with protein! A special pup cup for dogs, “mass shakes” with increased protein for those working out, and high protein “monkee balls”.
For their coffees, the “Protein Iced Coffee” is a mix of protein, cold coffee and milk poured over coffee iced cubes. The “Caramel Coffee Buzz” and “Coffee Buzz,” includes the coffee cubes in the blender. The protein “monkee balls” are 100% natural peanut butter, whey, natural maple syrup, coconut oil and oat flour coated in semi-sweet chocolate chips. Dogs love the store’s pup cups, which contain natural pumpkin, peanut butter and banana.
Fan Favorites
Studies have shown that with the grocery aisles crammed to the ceiling with overprocessed food selections high in sugar, salt and fats, that young, middle-aged and older Americans often lack enough fiber and protein in their diets. “These protein shakes can substitute for a meal for everyone on the go,” Kevin says. “We have three different sizes to select from so that you can get the nutrition that you need.”
Fresh Monkee also offers special seasonal drinks. With summer on the way, they are offering “Strawberry Macha,” “Pineapple Lemonade” and “Almond Coco Loco.”
“Additionally, we stay very aware of peoples’ allergies, and use a special brush for cleaning and a separate blender to try to minimize their exposure to allergens. We can make any protein shake to order, and suggest alternatives to replace those ingredients they may be allergic to,” Kevin adds.
There is seating in Fresh Monkee so that customers can enjoy their shakes and coffee in house as well as take out. As the owner and manager, Kevin emphasizes three tenants to his staff: That they exactly follow the store’s directions in making their products; that they demonstrate their appreciation for every customer coming in the door by being honestly engaging and friendly; and that the store be kept spotlessly clean.
By using the fresh monkee app, customers can pre-order their drinks so they are ready when they stop by. The store also delivers via their app, Uber Eats and Door Dash.
Kevin adds, “What makes us stand out from other drink establishments is that you can be assured that our delicious shakes and coffees provide the healthy nutrition that your family needs, while you enjoy our exceptional customer experience. You will find us at the front of the Redner’s Shopping Center next to Tortugas in the former Valley Forge Running Co. space. Please stop in and try our products!”
