"My wife and I called it Blendz because it combines the aspect of smoothies and the blending of healthy food with speed and efficiency," says Phipps, who with wife Denise came up with the concept last year. They figure people don't have much to do while the sprays are spraying and the towels are wiping, so the food is handy. So are the wireless Internet connections they set up as an additional convenience.

The Classic Car Wash in Saratoga at Prospect and Lawrence Expressway is the first of the four Classic locations to include Blendz. It has a smaller than usual space compared to the other washes that feature elegant boutiques. The eatery occupies 250 square feet that Phipps has put under cover in what was previously a passageway and sitting area. In another two months, that space will grow to 400 square feet when he adds an enclosed sunroom with a curved glass roof and tile floors. In essence, it's a nice place to enjoy several lines of food: tossed-to-order salads, juice combinations, 20 kinds of smoothies and 10 grilled varieties of traditional Italian sandwiches. All of it is available for catered business or social lunches and is delivered free in the store's local area.

Salads can be created by the customer from among 15 or more toppings, like artichoke hearts and cucumbers, and tossed with any of six dressings (four toppings run $4.85, seven are $5.85). The panini sandwiches include roast turkey, chicken and beef grilled fresh with each order and served on rosemary focaccia bread ($4.85­$5.85). Smoothies and juice combinations run $2.95 for 12 ounces and $3.95 for 24 ounces. Coffee and espresso are also are available. Phipps says that employees are trained to have specialty skills and can complete each order within three to five minutes. "No one else can claim that speed." A second Blendz is at the BMW dealership on Stevens Creek in San Jose. A third will be installed soon at the Hamilton Avenue Classic Car Wash in San Jose. A fourth will be opening in the former Juice It! on Main Street in Los Gatos that was vacated by the previous owners in November. It will be the first Blendz franchise in the area. New owner Gary Watkins of Gilroy plans to open in February.

"I'm getting lots of inquiries, some of them from out of the country," Phipps says. He envisions the opening of another 10 or 12 franchises next year and an eventual expansion abroad. "We're going to be the best franchiser," he says with enthusiasm. "When people buy, they want a business in a box with all the trial and error and pain of opening worked out of it. We give it to them pain free." A franchise sells for $175,000 to $200,000, including franchise and training fees, construction costs and equipment.

Phipps expects to benefit from concerns about the nation's eating habits. "Look at all the news stories about obesity and the move to take soda machines out of schools," he notes. He believes his healthful fare is coming at the right time. He even reached out to schools by becoming involved in the National School Lunch Program providing classroom curriculum sheets about proper nutrition for students to take home. Of course, they got a free smoothie.

Blendz is located at 18560 Prospect Rd. in Saratoga and is open daily from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Call the main office at 408.874.9313 or visit Blendz.com.