YMCA Takes Over Bee Healthy Cafe Franchise

The Earlywine Park YMCA in Oklahoma City has become a franchisee of the Bee Healthy Cafe housed in its recreation center.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Healthy Food

Bold vector editorial illustration of a single glass of green smoothie on a wooden ledge beside a folded towel and mint sprig, in a coral, teal, and cream palette. — The Earlywine Park YMCA in Oklahoma City has taken over the Bee Healthy Cafe franchise inside its recreation center, tying healthy food to membership. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Earlywine Park YMCA in Oklahoma City has become a franchisee of Bee Healthy Cafe, which operates inside the YMCA's recreation center under a franchise-style license. The cafe previously opened under direct Bee Healthy ownership one year before the arrangement.

Why it matters

The arrangement gives the YMCA a permanent use for a space it recently renovated, while Bee Healthy shifts from direct ownership to a franchise model it has offered since December 2021. The shift also ties healthy food access to YMCA membership in Oklahoma City.

The cafe opened one year before the franchise arrangement, and Bee Healthy has offered franchises since December 2021. The terms of the license and the cafe's sales performance were not disclosed.

The players

Earlywine Park YMCA

A Oklahoma City branch of the YMCA that now operates the Bee Healthy Cafe franchise within its recreation center.

Bee Healthy

A healthy food brand that operated the cafe directly before shifting to a franchise model.

The details

YMCA members can earn free smoothies and food by working out, and the YMCA plans to offer free smoothies to volunteer coaches. Hiring for the cafe is open to the public, and the Earlywine Park YMCA recently renovated the space that houses it.

December 2021: Bee Healthy began offering franchises.
One year before the arrangement: Bee Healthy cafe opened inside Earlywine Park YMCA.
November 2, 2026: YMCA franchise arrangement for the cafe was announced.

Industry Shift

Bee Healthy's franchise program, which began in December 2021, was extended to the Earlywine Park YMCA cafe after the brand moved away from direct ownership. The YMCA partnership shows the franchise model being applied to a community fitness setting rather than a standalone storefront.

Oklahoma City YMCA members can earn free smoothies and food by working out at the Earlywine Park location. Public job openings at the cafe offer local residents a new employment option.

The takeaway

Members of the Earlywine Park YMCA can turn workouts into free food and smoothies, making healthy eating part of their routine. Residents interested in working at the cafe can apply through the public hiring process.