EY today announced that Scott Pressly, chairman and chief strategic officer of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, is a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017 Award in the Southeast. The awards program, which is celebrating its 31st year, recognizes entrepreneurs who are excelling in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Selected as a finalist by a panel of independent judges, award winners will be announced at a special gala on June 8 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.
Pressly has been recognized for his efforts in leading the transformation of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the leading fast casual cafe concept known for its better-for-you food and smoothies with a tropical twist, from a regional concept into one of the fastest growing franchise brands in the country. Prior to Pressly’s purchase of a controlling interest in the brand, the chain had 250 franchised locations and was growing by 15 units per year. Under Pressly’s leadership, the award-winning brand has more than doubled its unit count to nearly 600 locations nationwide and has expanded to 41 states. In 2017, Tropical Smoothie Cafe is on track to open more than 100 stores and sign more than 175 new franchise development agreements.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist in the Southeast,” said Pressly. “I share this recognition with the entire Tropical Smoothie Cafe organization. It is the collective effort of our team that has allowed us to tap the true potential of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe brand. Looking ahead, I believe we are just getting started in achieving our goal of surpassing 2,500 locations in the U.S.”
Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National competition. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 18, 2017. The awards are the culminating event of the Strategic Growth Forum™, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP in the US, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored in the US by SAP America, Merrill Corporation and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
In the Southeast, sponsors also include Platinum sponsors King & Spalding, PNC Bank and Vaco and Silver sponsors Chatham Financial and Chemistry Atlanta.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2017, Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a fast-casual restaurant concept inspiring healthier lifestyles across the country, with over 575 locations nationwide. With snack and meal options for any time of day, Tropical Smoothie Cafe serves better-for-you smoothies, salads, wraps, sandwiches, and flatbreads. The rapidly growing franchise has received numerous accolades including being ranked on Entrepreneur’s 2017 Franchise 500, 2016 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers and Shakers, Franchise Times’ Top 200+ and Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2016 Top 200. Tropical Smoothie Cafe is seeking qualified franchisees to expand throughout the United States in markets such as Indianapolis, Nashville, Houston, Dallas, Cincinnati and Minneapolis, among others. For more information about opening your own Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise, please visit www.tropicalsmoothiefranchise.com.
Entrepreneur Of The Year, founded by EY, is the world’s most prestigious business awards program for entrepreneurs, chosen from an independent panel of judges including entrepreneurs and prominent leaders from business, finance, and the local community. The program makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global awards program of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in over 145 cities and more than 60 countries. ey.com/eoy
