Leading Fast Casual Cafe Targeting 20 Restaurants in Charlotte over Next Five Years; Opening Locations in High Point and Fayetteville Next Month
Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the leading fast casual cafe concept known for its better-for-you food and smoothies with a tropical twist, announced today it is aggressively targeting North Carolina, specifically the Charlotte market, for franchise growth. Over the next five years, the sandwich and smoothie franchise expects to open 20 locations throughout Greater Charlotte.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe will open two franchisee-owned restaurants next month, including one location on April 11 at 3860 John Gordon Lane in High Point, N.C.; and a second on April 27 at 150 Andrews Road, Suite 7 in Fayetteville, N.C.
“With fewer than two dozen locations throughout the entire state of North Carolina, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has ample opportunities for local entrepreneurs to become a franchise owner with a brand that is experiencing growth that is outpacing the rest of the fast casual industry,” said Charles Watson, vice president of franchise development for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. “In fact, the National Restaurant Association ranks North Carolina sixth in the nation in terms of fastest restaurant job growth over the next decade. As the largest city in the state, Charlotte will certainly be a hotspot for an increasing number of restaurants, making it a great place for Tropical Smoothie Cafe to expand our presence.”
Kevin Smith, a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisee who owns one location in Charlotte in the Promenade on Providence shopping center, worked in corporate print media advertising for 20 years before deciding to become a franchise owner.
“I watched Tropical Smoothie Cafe flourish in Grand Blanc, Mich., and thought, ‘If this brand can do well in the North, it can do well anywhere’,” said Smith, who plans to open two additional cafes in Charlotte over the next three years. “Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s proven formula and size make it an ideal business opportunity for someone looking to start a franchise and grow with the brand.”
This year, Tropical Smoothie Cafe plans to exceed 500 stores nationwide and sign franchise agreements for an additional 150 new locations. The brand currently has franchise opportunities across the U.S. in markets such as Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Charlotte and Columbus, Ohio, among others. By 2018, Tropical Smoothie Cafe plans to have 800 stores open across the U.S.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe is looking to add qualified franchisees to its growing brand. Candidates should have business experience, preferably in the restaurant industry; $100,000 in liquid assets and a minimum net worth of $300,000; and an initial investment of between $165,940 and $414,685. The healthy fast food franchise currently boasts an average unit volume (AUV) of more than $526,000 — the highest in the company’s 17-year history — with the top 50 percent reporting an AUV of $669,000.
For more information about opening your own Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise, please visit www.tropicalsmoothiefranchise.com.
Founded in 1997, Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a fast-casual restaurant concept inspiring healthy lifestyles across the country, with over 420 locations nationwide. With snack and meal options for any time of day, Tropical Smoothie Cafe serves smoothies, salads, tacos, wraps, sandwiches, and flatbreads. The rapidly growing franchise has received numerous accolades including being ranked on Entrepreneur‘s 2014 Franchise 500 and Nation’s Restaurant News‘ 2013 Top 200. Tropical Smoothie Cafe is seeking qualified franchisees to expand throughout the United States in markets such as Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Charlotte and Columbus, Ohio, among others.
