Smoothie King, a well-known fast food chain with locations around the world, is expected to expand into Michigan with 50 new stores.

Businessman Christopher Klebba, who operates Planet Fitness franchises in Michigan and Indiana, says he plans to develop dozens of Smoothie King franchises throughout the state.

Klebba's Northern Diamond Management is actively seeking real estate in southeast Michigan in hopes of opening three locations by the end of this year, the developer announced in a news release.

"We were attracted to the Smoothie King brand because its mission to inspire people to live healthy, active lifestyles is perfectly aligned with ours, and we fell in love with the brand and the people," Klebba said.

The Smoothie King chain has more than 960 locations worldwide, but none in Michigan.

One previous Smoothie King location in Ann Arbor's Kerrytown neighborhood closed its doors after 10 years of business in 2014 due to slow sales and rising costs of fruit.

The manager of the store at the time said sales slow down significantly during the winter months.

Another location in Kalamazoo shut down in 2016.

The Louisiana-based chain plans to open 150 new locations in the U.S. in 2018. The NBA's New Orleans Pelicans play at an arena named for the chain: The Smoothie King Center.