CALIFORNIA DISCLAIMER: THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. I may have been, in fact, the person responsible for awarding them a franchise! Michael Lapid joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in October of 2019 to the role of Chief Information and Digital Officer. On the other hand, its hard to beat a plate of spaghetti. Chief Executive Officer @ Tropical Smoothie Cafe; . Our franchisees and their teams are the faces community members see daily, and the dedication from them is truly whats given us so much success in recent years. If its not run-of-the-mill bland food, we want to bring a little bit of a culinary experience to quick casual, and still provide convenience, and value, and all those kinds of things. From wraps to flatbreads to salads, Mr. Watson continues to solidly position Tropical Smoothie Cafe as a leader in the fast-casual, healthier lifestyle food category. NET WORTH * LIQUID CAPITAL/CASH . I started working at a young age and because of my early drive, have been involved in a variety of industries and performed many different jobs. Were right, exactly where It was a little bit of a step back in 2020, but in 2021, our year-to-date comparative sales are [up] almost 30%. While our projected 2020 growth might take a step back due to the coronavirus, I believe our approach to navigating through this will help us emerge quickly once it passes.". It is for information purposes only. Watson has been with Tropical Smoothie Cafe for many years now, so he has seen the growth up close. There is no assurance that you will do as well. At the start of his career, Michaels ambitious spirit led him to develop a point of sale system, Hot Sauce. If your Franchised Business includes a drive-thru, the additional expense (including the cost of leasehold improvements, restaurant fixtures and equipment, and other costs) would be approximately $35,000 to $45,000. Franchising offers multiple benefits to a business as a whole. Some of our franchisees had the idea to donate smoothies to first responders and hospital workers in Atlanta. The offering is by prospectus only. This information is not intended as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. Tropical Smoothie Caf is a Georgia LLC organized on June 25, 2012. And those are the most important things that I do.. With the fast-casual spot gaining more recognition every year, there's a good chance that you won't be seeing your favorite Tropical Smoothie Cafe going anywhere anytime soon . Prior to that, she spent 22 years at BBDO Worldwide, where she was executive vice president and senior director for the global advertising powerhouse, leading campaign strategy and execution for many large national brands. In this role, Mark leads brand, marketing, product, and digital innovations core functions of delivering the remarkable guest experience that drives Tropical Smoothie Cafes success. Over the next five years, our goals are to reach 1,500 cafes open across the U.S., with over 18% profitability for our franchisees on average volumes in excess of $1M, all with very high operational satisfaction for our guests. In this role, he is responsible for the brand's strategic vision and overall franchise performance. Within the first day, several local franchisees jumped on board and donated more than 600 smoothies each, and the donations just kept growing from there. Im a football lover. Its not just: We have snacks! We have a full-on robust kitchen thats preparing fresh products. Passion is key in everything. The range is based on estimated costs for End-Cap or In-Line Tropical Smoothie Cafe Restaurants, which include those located in or at strip style retail shopping centers but does not include drive-thrus. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200, Atlanta, GA 30338. When our franchisees are successful, the brand is successful. CEO Charles Watson, along with his leadership team, will be hosting an informative event at the franchised Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Dallas-Fort Worth, located at 760 Airport Freeway, Suite 400 . Prior to that, he was named Chief Development Officer in 2015 after serving as VP of Franchise Development since 2010. charles watson tropical smoothie cafe. Watson:"At Tropical Smoothie Cafe, it's our mission to inspire a healthier lifestyle by serving amazing food and smoothies, with a bit of tropical fun. We can make you any smoothie that you like with our whole ingredients and you can mix and match as you see fit. In this role, Mark leads brand, marketing, product, and digital innovations core functions of delivering the remarkable guest experience that drives Tropical Smoothie Cafes success. Both of my parents had the entrepreneur bug and they definitely passed that on to me. Occhiogrosso: What are some of the additional support initiatives you put in place for your franchise community during the pandemic? Yes, it has a brand name on it, but it is Bill and Sally Smith on the corner and theyre entrepreneurs. So that was helpful! Were any of the franchisees reluctant to follow the system or embrace a new direction? Well, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, we've got 850 locations in 44 states. All of this information may look daunting, yet . Are there misconceptions about smoothies you want cleared up? We figured a good person to ask might be the CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Charles Watson. Its tough. When I became CEO, I launched a formal franchisee advisory council, known in our organization as the Tropical Franchisee Council (TFC). 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200 And was one in place already? Costs can vary by location and the average cost is $370,000. If your Franchised Business includes a drive-thru, the additional expense (including the cost of leasehold improvements, restaurant fixtures and equipment, and other costs) would be approximately $35,000 to $45,000. This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. We find that real fruits, veggies, and juices just taste better.". And we actually drove our comparative sales versus 2019 by 7.5%. Occhiogrosso: What challenges, if any, did you face in getting "buy-in" from the existing franchise community once you became CEO? I and/or my business partner(s) have the following financials, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC Its been quite the adventure since becoming the CEO in 2018, and Ive enjoyed every twist and turn in the road. Every day is a day to celebrate at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, with all the success were having. Prior to joining Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Pete served as the Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance/Risk Officer at Popeyes for over 10 years and has extensive experience handling corporate transactions, both in-house and in private practice. We want to capture both the head and the heart of our consumers. Tropical Smoothie Cafe has deals in place for hundreds more locations in the pipeline and is on track to meet Charles' aggressive goal to hit 1,500 locations by the end of 2024. In this role, he is responsible for the brand's strategic vision and overall franchise performance. And the other misconception, whether you think its uber healthy or not so healthy, is that you, the consumer, the guest have all the choice in the world. The offerings have evolved over the years to include a menu of breakfast and lunch items beyond smoothies. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the leading national fast-casual cafe concept known for both its better-for-you smoothies and food with a tropical twist, announces the appointment of Charles Watson as the new Chief Executive Officer. Its in Casco, Maine, Camp Sunshine. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Be sure that you have a minimum net worth of $350,000 and $125,000 in liquid assets. What sets your smoothies apart from smoothies from competitors? Oh gosh. Yes, I am putting my mark on the brand and culture, but I have been around long enough not to stray too far from the DNA of the brand.". In this role, Mark leads brand, marketing, product, and digital innovations core functions of delivering the remarkable guest experience that drives Tropical Smoothie Cafes success. Tropical Smoothie is a Georgia-based company that owns and operates a chain of restaurants serving smoothies, sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups. In July 2018, I was named interim CEO, and then permanent in December 2018.". Prior to Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Mark served as Chief Marketing Officer with Floor Coverings International where he was responsible for driving the brands digital transformation and leadership position in service-based franchising. And its been a heck of a ride, lots of growth, and I just really enjoying being able to scale this brand and bring healthier food and smoothies to the United States.. Beyond just smoothies, we serve better-for-you . Watson: "Like I said, I was very fortunate to have had already developed relationships with our franchise community prior to becoming CEO. This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. "Relationships Rule" is one of our core values, and because of that, people are at the heart of our company. Its a fantastic organization that weve enjoyed immensely being part of. 908-236-0277. "As a first time CEO, learning to view the business from a thinking vs. a doing mentality was a challenge I faced. Turns out, theres a lot to know about Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Were finding ourselves in an environment where people want speed. Prior to joining Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Richard was the Vice President of Operations, West Division, for Papa Murphys International where he was responsible for field operations and marketing. Watson will lead us through our next phase of strategic growth. "I wanted to further instill a franchisee-first mentality. In my case, because I already had nearly a decade with Tropical Smoothie Cafe on the franchise development side, I had the unique advantage of personal relationships with our franchise community. Yes, we have some great products on our menu that weve crafted, but you can go off script. In a franchise system, without broad franchisee buy-in, you cannot move as efficiently and effectively as is required in today's business environment.". "I'm a huge advocate for franchise advisory councils, specifically when nearly 60% of all franchise agreements at Tropical Smoothie Cafe come from existing franchisees. In 2018, when I was named CEO, we had more than 720 locations open nationwide. He was previously Tropical Smoothie Cafe's Chief Development Officer since 2016, after serving as VP of Franchise Development since 2010. The Tropical Franchisee Council (TFC) was established in 2018 and has been invaluable for our growth. F-9894), New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. However, I ended up a punter at Cornell. He is directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises. The initial investment ranges from $246,500 to $580,500. I was lucky enough to work with the founders of the business (and still do as they are board members) as well as work under our first CEO, who did an amazing job. A minimum net worth of $350,000, which includes $125,000 in liquid assets; Investment and Fee Structure: Start-up fees: A new Cafe investment is between $198,500 and $543,500. Without our franchisees, committees, and council, I simply could not do this job. I lean into that so that our employees can feel good about what they do.. Our annual tactics are focused around delivering those results.". Paul Marsden oversees development and execution of financial strategies to support the companys business plans. . Those franchisees are serving our guests on the front lines I can't run this business without their candid feedback.". Since that time, he has led the company on its quest towards $1billion in sales by 2023. In her role as Chief Development Officer, Cheryl drives the brands franchise development sales, real estate and design and construction. Our relationships are founded on trust and respect for the unique talents of our teams, franchisees, and vendors alike. See where were looking to grow to meet the incredible demand. On April 16 we met our goal of 100,000 smoothies, but our franchisees havent stopped there, and the new challenge is to donate a total of one million smoothies by the end of May. So I think a great franchisee base, and products and innovation that people want. Tell us a little about your background before joining Tropical Smoothie? Watson discusses how and why the brand has seen a Q3 same-store sales jump of 19.5% during the pandemic Tropical Smoothie Cafe on franchisee success during COVID-19 | Nation's Restaurant News Why The IFA Convention Is A Cant-Miss Event For Anyone In Franchising, The Automated Dumpling Restaurant Franchise That Could Turn Quick Service Dining On Its Head. I was originally a quarterback in high school and had my heart set on the same position for college. I worked for my father throughout my teenage years, and those years were my first taste of what the industry was all about. The average tropical smoothie franchise owner s salary/pay is estimated to be $126,000 per year, based on an average net revenue of $1,009,803 and a profit margin of 15%. Charles is a graduate of The Hotel School at Cornell University and holds a Master of Business Administration from The Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia. Tropical Smoothie Cafe on Thursday said it has named Charles Watson its permanent CEO as it works to grow into a $1 billion company within five years. We had a high level of mutual trust and respect for each other that existed before I assumed the role of CEO. Saturday 31st December 2022 (New Year's Eve) 10:00pm til 4:00am. Cheryl Fletcher joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in July of 2017. "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual cafe concept inspiring healthier lifestyles with more than 850 locations in 44 states. Ivebeen with Tropical Smoothie since 2010 and was [first] our vice president of franchise development, he told Mashed. But I would tell you that what has ultimately driven this brand is our franchisees and it is our culture, right? We decreased royalties and deployed hyper-local marketing strategies to drive business within a 1to 2-mile radius of cafes. Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Prior to Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Mark served as Chief Marketing Officer with Floor Coverings International where he was responsible for driving the brands digital transformation and leadership position in service-based franchising. Tropical Smoothie Cafe has deals in place for hundreds more locations in the pipeline and is on track to meet Charles aggressive goal to hit 1,500 locations by the end of 2024. TropicalSmoothie.com. So more knowledge about our great food offerings is something that I would change a little bit. Prior to joining Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Pete served as the Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance/Risk Officer at Popeyes for over 10 years and has extensive experience handling corporate transactions, both in-house and in private practice. Outside of smoothies, whats the top-selling non-smoothie product? Because we want to help with your meal and your food, etc. Atlanta, GA ( RestaurantNews.com ) Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a leading national fast-casual cafe franchise known for both its better-for-you smoothies and food with a tropical twist, continues its . If you are a resident of or want to locate a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your state. Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. Passion and brand vision continue to guide the way. Tropical Smoothie Cafe announces Charles Watson as the new Chief Executive Officer. Charles is a graduate of The Hotel School at Cornell University and also holds a Masters of Business Administration from The Terry School of Business at The University of Georgia. *$1,009,803 System Wide Average Net Revenues. Prior to joining Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Richard was the Vice President of Operations, West Division, for Papa Murphys International where he was responsible for field operations and marketing. As a brand, we strive for excellence in service and creating a culture of hospitality for our business no matter which location you visit, and this year we're prioritizing them even further by enhancing pillars of our hospitality-centric culture and the technology we use to create convenience for our guests in order to reinforce our position as the leader in our segment. When I became CEO, I launched a formal franchisee advisory council, known in our organization as the Tropical Franchisee Council (TFC). Provide product innovation and innovation in general. Thats a smoothie that has pineapple, strawberries, and white chocolate and coconut. Charles is a graduate of The Hotel School at Cornell University and holds a Master of Business Administration from The Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia. Management can grow a company without having to invest too much money, and . And then number two, I would say a franchisee base that is second to none. When Charles Watson became the new Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO in 2019, the company claimed that it could be looking at $1 billion in sales in the next five years. Complete the form or call. And its the high quality food. Early in his career, Mark served the franchise industry as a supplier, delivering innovative technology-enabled marketing strategies to help emerging franchise concepts rapidly scale and grow revenue through local-level marketing and sales. Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. Right now we have a BLT quesadilla. What is the mission and goal of the company over the next few years? The impact of the more formalized committees we have set up, and the close connection I have with TFC has gotten the system more comfortable with my style and thinking, and I believe, since trust is earned, I still have a long way to go, but am off to a good start. Right now Im on a Mango Berry Cosmo kick. 26, 2021. The smiles we saw and stories we heard inspired us to think bigger and explore how we could do even more to support the communities we serve. It was important to me that we have franchisees themselves share their feedback and align on system initiatives and goals. And so the way that they impact the communities where they operate is a really big part. Since that time, he has led the company on its quest towards $1billion in sales by 2023. We had a high level of mutual trust and respect for each other that existed before I assumed the role of CEO. So that would be my thoughts. Paul Marsden oversees development and execution of financial strategies to support the companys business plans. Well, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, we've got 850 locations in 44 states. So in cities where you see a lot of brand-awareness and a lot of units, we will have moved into the core center-city demographics, but we typically work outside in. So were a brand thats going to be close to pushing a 3:1 investment ratio. In conclusion, I believe the growth of Tropical Smoothie Cafe over the last two years demonstrates Mr. Watson's steady leadership and a clear understanding of building on the momentum that has made the brand a leader in its category. Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, said, "It's inspiring to be part of the growth that Tropical Smoothie Cafe has . Charles Watson, the CEO of Tropical Smoothie Care, was thrilled with his companys performance so far this year, which is what youd expect from a chain whose. Really trying to understand how to see the world through a different stakeholders' eyes is something I still work on.". Previously, Cheryl held a 17-year tenure with Popeyes, during which she served as Vice President of Franchise Development, Vice President of Development Strategic Planning, and Director of Investor Relations and Finance. Next year marks 25 years since the brands founding. Its doing more than just being in business to sell food and smoothies. TikTok user Fuhlex left her followers stunned after revealing the cost of the bagThe social media user, from LA, said she was 'too embarrassed to put it back'But people likened it to a 'potato sack' and begged her to return it to the store . Prior to joining Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Pete served as the Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance/Risk Officer at Popeyes for over 10 years and has extensive experience handling corporate transactions, both in-house and in private practice. . This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. He was previously. Over the next five years, our goals are to reach 1,500 cafes open across the U.S., with over 18% profitability for our franchisees on average volumes in excess of $1M, all with very high operational satisfaction for our guests. Fast CasualAn interview with Tim Tang of HughesDecember 2, 2019. Luckily in my first two years as CEO, we continued to expand the footprint of the brand, and increase brand awareness, drive profitability for our franchisees and drive our comp sales. As reopening guidelines are being determined, we plan to move forward with an abundance of caution.". Beyond just smoothies, we serve better-for-you wraps, sandwiches, and flatbreads, and pride ourselves on living at the "intersection of taste, convenience, and hospitality." I dont believe that the people side of our business is dead.. And the digital guest experience is another way for our customers to use us. Pete Ward advises Tropical Smoothie Cafe on all legal and business matters, including franchising, real estate, labor and employment, litigation, intellectual property, licensing, and other commercial matters. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota (File No. Mark serves on the board of the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. How are we purpose-driven? And were rolling that out under our tagline of Inspire Better. How do you see the company moving forward? Total revenues were $58 million while expenses were only $41 million, indicating a healthy profit margin of around 30%. Find restaurant equipment and suppliers. Because 99% of Tropical Smoothie Cafe's system is franchisee-owned and operated, it was my goal to maintain consistency for them and move the company forward in the right direction, with a lot of reverence and respect for the past. And theyve been able to do that, which is increased our average unit volume many, many times over the years. Were implementing a new point-of-sale system that acts as a hub and enables all third-party delivery, white label delivery, online ordering, etc. Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location.