Fast-casual café chain opens first NC location in South End Charlotte
The Juice Pod has officially opened in Charlotte, joining the city’s growing wellness scene.
The fast-casual cafe, known for cold-pressed juices, superfood smoothies and nutrient-dense acai bowls, marked its grand opening Saturday, Feb. 21, with a community celebration in South End, according to a news release sent to CharlotteFive.
It’s The Juice Pod’s first foray into North Carolina and its 23rd location overall, with existing shops in Delaware, Florida and New Jersey.
“Expanding to North Carolina has been a milestone for us,” said Danielle Leonhardt, who launched the health food concept with her sister, Christine Wyatt. “This new location allows us to bring that mission to even more people and be a part of more communities.”
Leonhardt co-owns the new South End cafe alongside owner-operator Mike Blank, the release said.
“My vision was to create a space that’s centered on our customers: warm, inviting, and committed to serving healthy options people can feel good about,” Blank said in the release.
“I’m also proud to offer meaningful opportunities to those looking for jobs in the community.”
The Juice Pod’s menu has something for everyone and emphasizes using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Beyond acai bowls and smoothies, offerings include specialty avocado toast, wellness shots, iced coffee, lattes and more.
Other popular picks include:
- The Coastal Bowl: Pitaya topped with granola, strawberry, banana, pineapple, peanut butter
- Good Morning Smoothie: Bananas, cinnamon, cold brew, almond butter, almond milk, dates
- Avocado Crunch Toast: Toasted Sourdough topped with an avocado blend, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, crispy onions, red pepper flakes, and your choice of regular or hot honey
- Liver Flush Shot: Grapefruit, beets, cayenne, lemon, echinacea
The Juice Pod is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Juice Pod - South End
Location: 2151 Hawkins St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Cuisine: Juices, smoothies, acai bowls + more
Instagram: @juicepod_southend and @juice_pod_
This story was originally published February 24, 2026 at 9:45 AM.