Canada’s first-ever Booster Juice drive-thru opens in Lakeshore as demand for convenience grows

Booster Juice has opened its first-ever drive-thru location in Lakeshore. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell reports.

Canadian smoothie chain Booster Juice has opened its first-ever drive-thru location in Lakeshore, Ont. marking a shift in how even traditionally walk-in food businesses are adapting to changing consumer habits.

The new location along Amy Croft Drive has been more than five years in the making, according to franchise partner Dave Bezarevic.

“This is the very first Booster Juice drive-thru ever,” Bezarevic exclaimed. “We’re very, very excited to be part of Lakeshore.”

Early customer response suggests convenience is playing a major role. Bezarevic said over half of sales are coming through the drive-thru.

“We thought it was going to be more equal split. But right now, we have a total of 70 per cent just coming through the drive-thru,” he said. “It also could be very weather dependent because, you know, the colder climate right now, I think more people would take advantage of the drive-thru versus actually coming inside.”

Booster Juice president, CEO, and founder Dale Wishewan said Lakeshore was selected due to a combination of long-time franchise partners and the availability of a standalone site.

“Two main reasons why,” Wishewan explained. “Number one, again, our franchise partners are just amazing. They’ve been with us for 20 years … They were very keen on wanting to do a drive-thru.”

He said the development opportunity also played a role.

“We also have a fantastic developer who gave us a great space,” Wishewan continued. “And we thought it would be good to have a pad … as opposed to a corner unit with other tenants.”

Wishewan said early results suggest the concept could expand beyond Lakeshore.

“I can say based on the initial response of how well it’s going, this will be more than a test market,” he said. “This will be the first of many.”

He added that the move reflects a broader demand for convenience.

“People want convenience,” Wishewan said. “All this just, again, speaks to convenience … Sometimes it’s the cold weather, and we’re seeing right now, just based on the initial feedback.”

Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey said the opening aligns with the municipality’s continued growth.

“Lakeshore has seen incredible growth over the last decade,” Bailey stated. “And with more residents, there’s higher demand for services and businesses like Booster Juice.”

She added accessibility and location remain important considerations.

“We also know that Lakeshore has 27 per cent of the 100-kilometre biking system here in Essex County,” Bailey said. “So, you know, does this make sense, is it on the route and how many people will be stopping when they’re on their bike ride.”

Customers using the drive-thru said convenience was a key factor.

“Oh. It’s great, I love it,” said Parker Stowe.

“Love it. It’s very convenient,” said Kim Pepper. “Some of their locations at the mall and Tecumseh Road East are hard to get to. So this is perfect for us.”

Lauren Oakley said the drive-thru fit easily into her routine.

“I’m coming from a massage, so I get to enjoy my Booster Juice,” she said. “And it’s nice.”

Booster Juice has more than 470 locations across Canada. The company says it will continue evaluating whether the drive-thru model could expand to other communities.

The Lakeshore location held a soft opening on Jan. 5, 2026, with a grand-opening event slated for Feb. 14.

“Although we are a big Canadian franchise, we always want to keep it local,” Bezarevic told CTV News. “We’re going to be giving a lot of free giveaways that day. Free smoothies for a year, free gift baskets, 100 people that come in right at the beginning of doors when they open, they will be receiving a free gift. So it’s our little way to say thank you to Windsor-Essex.”