ATLANTA, USA – Tropical Smoothie Cafe continued its momentum from 2021 into Q1 2022, signing 56 new franchise agreements and opening 42 new franchised cafes, including its first airport location. The first quarter marked one of the brand’s strongest quarters for new openings.
One of those openings, in the newly expanded Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, in partnership with award-winning airport concessionaire Paradies Lagardère, marks the brand’s expansion into the airport space.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have opened our very first Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurant at the Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City,” said Claude Guillaume, senior vice president of operations for Paradies Lagardère’s Dining Division.
“With its diverse menu of options and flavors for all day parts and traveler preferences, Tropical Smoothie Cafe will be an exciting addition to the airport’s overall concessions program and a successful complement to the new restaurant lineup we recently introduced.”
New National Charity Partnership
At its annual franchisee convention, Tropical Smoothie Cafe announced No Kid Hungry as the brand’s new national charity partner. The nonprofit, which helps the nearly 12 million kids in America who are living in hunger, aligns with the brand’s purpose to Inspire BetterTM. Through the partnership, the locations around the country will host fundraising efforts throughout the year, supporting children in need.
“We want to be the brand that brings nourishing, nurturing sunshine to the kids who need it,” said Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Café, LLC. “With our No Kid Hungry partnership, we will be able to bring together all our franchisees across the nation to work toward our common goal of ending childhood hunger.”
Digital-Only Menu Item Test
Q1 of 2022 also saw a successful launch of a limited-time Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie that ran in celebration of Valentine’s Day, Feb. 2-20. The smoothie was only available through the Tropical Smoothie Cafe app and online channels. This launch aligns with the brand’s strategy to focus on leveraging digital channels to create fun, on-trend offerings that reward the brand’s most in-the-know, loyal guests.
Franchisee Spotlight
The brand expanded its new store opening pipeline in Q1, signing 56 new franchise agreements. More than 70% of the deals are with existing franchisees, demonstrating their success and commitment to the brand.
Franchisees also received top awards from the franchise community during the first quarter. Salem Najjar, who currently owns and operates 14 locations in the Midwest with nearly 20 in the pipeline, was named an International Franchise Association (IFA) Franchisee of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding franchise operators who exemplify excellence in community, workforce and diversity.
Additionally, Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine recognized two Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise groups in its MVP 2022 Awards. Toya Evans, who owns and operates four Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations in Maryland with another cafe in development, received the Spirit of Franchising Award. Roma and Suresh Patel received the MVP Influencer Award for Husband and Wife Team. The Patels opened their first Tropical Smoothie Cafe location in 2015 in Ohio and today own 13 cafes throughout Ohio.
About Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual cafe concept inspiring a healthier lifestyle with more than 1,075 cafes nationwide. For 25 years, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has been serving better-for-you smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, salads and flatbreads.
The concept also offers upgraded app technology and enhanced mobile ordering capabilities to further elevate the digital and dine-in cafe experience and emphasize the brand’s focus on convenience. The growing national franchise has received numerous accolades, including a top 10 ranking in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500.
It has also been named to Forbes’ Best Franchises list, Franchise Times’ Fast & Serious list and the Franchise Times’ Top 200+ ranking. Notably, the franchise was also recognized on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers and Shakers and Nation’s Restaurant News’ Top 200.
