Local Entrepreneurs Invited to Join CEO Mike Rotondo on Sept. 23 to Learn about Business Opportunities
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 Greater Houston for franchise growth. Over the next 10 years, the sandwich and smoothie franchise aims to open at least 30 locations throughout Greater Houston, targeting communities such as Deer Park, Greater Heights, Katy, Cloverleaf and Sugar Land, among others. Tropical Smoothie Cafe currently has one location in Richmond, which opened in April.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise executives, including CEO Mike Rotondo, will host a special event on Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 7-9 p.m. for local entrepreneurs to learn about franchise opportunities with the fast casual brand. Attendees will be treated to food and smoothie samples and a tour of the cafe, and have the chance to connect in person with Rotondo, as well as Charles Watson, vice president of franchise development, and franchisee Jignesh Patel. The event will be held at the Tropical Smoothie Cafe located at 5620 Grand Parkway in Richmond.
“Restaurants are a significant part of Texas’ economy. In fact, the National Restaurant Association projects the state’s restaurants will report $44.5 billion in sales this year. Coupled with how quickly Houston is growing, this is an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs in Texas to become a franchise owner with Tropical Smoothie Cafe and introduce our leading fast casual concept to consumers in these new markets,” said Charles Watson, vice president of franchise development for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. “Not only is Houston a great business climate, but also its population is seeing the benefits of healthy lifestyles and better-for-you food choices, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe is just starting to make its mark.”
Local entrepreneur Jignesh Patel owns the Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Richmond, Tx.
“When we first started exploring franchise concepts, Tropical Smoothie Cafe was our number one choice because of its better-for-you smoothies,” said Patel. “I love to promote and share healthy lifestyles among our customers and their families. Having a brand behind us that has the same values gives me great pride in our business.”
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 $578,000 — the highest in the company’s 18-year history — with the top 50 percent reporting an AUV of $734,000.
In the first half of 2015, Tropical Smoothie Cafe reported same-store sales of more than 12 percent and franchise agreements to open 77 new cafes across the U.S. This year, Tropical Smoothie Cafe plans to exceed 500 stores nationwide and sign franchise agreements for 150 new locations. The brand currently has franchise opportunities across the U.S. in markets such as Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, Texas, as well as Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, Calif., among others. By 2018, Tropical Smoothie Cafe plans to have 800 stores open across the U.S. By 2018, Tropical Smoothie Cafe plans to have 800 stores open across the U.S.
For more information about opening your own Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise, please visit TropicalSmoothieFranchise.com/houston to register for the upcoming Houston event.
Founded in 1997, Tropical Smoothie Café is a fast-casual restaurant concept inspiring healthy lifestyles across the country, with over 435 locations nationwide. With snack and meal options for any time of day, Tropical Smoothie Café serves smoothies, salads, tacos, wraps, sandwiches, and flatbreads. The rapidly growing franchise has received numerous accolades including being ranked on Entrepreneur‘s 2015 Franchise 500, 2015 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers and Shakers and Nation’s Restaurant News‘ 2015 Top 200. Tropical Smoothie Café is seeking qualified franchisees to expand throughout the United States in markets such as Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Columbus, Ohio, among others.
