Tropical Smoothie Café announced significant achievements and growth in the first half of 2018, opening 47 new cafes and signing 113 franchise agreements to date. This continued momentum in franchise development represents the brand’s expansion into top priority growth markets such as Atlanta, Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth, and keeps the company on track to reach its goal of opening 120 new cafes by the end of this year. In addition to propelling development, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has also experienced a 6.6 percent increase in year-to-date same-store sales.
Additionally, June 15 marked the celebration of Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s annual National Flip Flop Day. This one-day customer appreciation event is also designed to bring awareness to the brand’s fundraising efforts for its national charitable partner, Camp Sunshine. In just one day, the company raised a record-breaking $184,150 and gave away over 310,000 of the brands signature Sunshine Smoothies on National Flip Flop Day. Over the past 11 years, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has raised more than $6.3 million to support Camp Sunshine’s mission to provide an authentic camp experience for children with life threatening illnesses and their entire families.
“We’re thrilled with the impressive strides we’ve made as a brand in the first half of 2018. From new cafe openings, strong same-store sales, to record-breaking donation efforts for Camp Sunshine, along with our continued focus on innovation, we are determined to make this year the biggest and best to date,” says Charles Watson, chief development officer and interim CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe. “With over 670 locations open nationwide and over 100 franchise agreements signed so far this year, nearly 55 percent more deals than this time last year, we’re positioned for continued success in 2018 and on pace to reach our goal of 1,000 locations by the end of 2020.”
Tropical Smoothie Cafe has also positioned itself as a leader in innovation and forward thinking with unique limited-time offerings, such as the Citrus Cactus Smoothie, which debuted in April. Additionally, the brand further enhanced its offerings by adding pressed sandwiches to the menu, including the Chicken Caprese and Cuban pressed sandwiches.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe is looking to add qualified franchisees to its growing brand. Candidates should have business experience; $125,000 in liquid assets and a minimum net worth of $350,000; and an initial investment of between $222,095 and $569,335. The better-for-you food franchise currently boasts an average unit volume (AUV) of more than $681,000 – the highest in the company’s 21-year-history – with the top 50 percent reporting an AUV of more than $873,000.
