Emeryville, California-based Jamba Juice Company announced Wednesday that it has agreed to sell seven Minnesota stores as part of its refranchising program.

The deal is part of a larger agreement with buyers J J Maa, Inc., and J J Mata, Inc., that includes a total of 41 stores throughout the Midwest, mostly in Chicago and Minnesota.

Jamba Juice said that the agreement-which is expected to close in November-is the largest refranchising transaction that the company has entered into since announcing the refranchising program in 2009.

Under the agreement, the buyers have committed to expand the Jamba Juice brand by developing at least 20 additional Jamba Juice stores over the next six years.

“We love the fact that Jamba Juice is focused on health and wellness and creating differentiated products that are healthier for you, convenient, and great tasting,” Anand Patel, principal of J J Maa, Inc., and J J Mata, Inc., said in a statement. “We are passionate about leading healthy, active lifestyles ourselves, and given Jamba's 20-year history of inspiring and simplifying healthy living, it's an easy brand to endorse and promote.”

Janice Duis, Jamba Juice spokeswoman, said that the company will work with the new franchise owners during the closing of the deal to retain the stores' current employees.

Jamba Juice also owns an eighth location in Minnesota, which is already franchised.

When the company initiated its refranchising program in May 2009, it expected the program to be completed in a 12 to 18 month timeframe. Jamba Juice plans to use transaction proceeds and cash flow from operations to pay down its existing debt and help fund future growth.