Tropical Smoothie Café, a restaurant concept known for its healthy food and smoothies with a tropical twist, announced plans to add 15 more locations in Alabama in the coming years.

Tropical Smoothie Café, which currently has 11 locations throughout the state including two in the Birmingham metropolitan area, is seeking franchise partners to develop four locations in Birmingham, four in Mobile, four in Huntsville, two in Montgomery, and one in Florence.

The development plan in Alabama is part of the brand’s overall growth strategy to open 53 locations throughout the U.S. in 2014. Tropical Smoothie Café decided to focus on Alabama as a key growth state because of the growing local demand for healthier food options coupled with the strong performance of the existing Alabama locations.

Birmingham is home to one of the brand’s top-performing franchisees, Mike Tate, whose location ranks number one in catering sales in the Tropical Smoothie Café system. Based on the success of that location, Tate recently opened a second Tropical Smoothie Café franchise in Tuscaloosa on the University of Alabama campus, his alma mater.

“More and more folks in Alabama are beginning to pay attention to what they’re eating. They increasingly want healthier and convenient food options,” Tate says. “Whether customers are looking to place a catering order for a business lunch or just want to stop in for a healthy snack, Tropical Smoothie Café can fill that growing need with its smoothies packed with fruits and veggies and delicious food.”