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. 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. Watson:"We were in a good place! Chief Executive Officer @ Tropical Smoothie Cafe; . Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. It's tropic time. What sets your smoothies apart from smoothies from competitors? Mark serves on the board of the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. And what we were able to do is to take a smaller organization that was scrappy, just like Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and really build their endowment and really serve a lot of families. So just one shy of 100. 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. Mark serves on the board of the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. New York State Disclaimer: This advertisement is not an offering. 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. Then I was our chief development officer and Ive been our CEO for about three years now. Tropical Smoothie Cafe's Profile, Revenue and Employees. 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. We have quesadillas, we have flatbread sandwiches, we have sandwiches, we have salads. "Our franchisees are the heart of our brand, so we wanted to make sure we were doing everything we could to help them stay afloat through the crisis. As CEO, Watsons goal is to achieve $1 billion in sales and more than 1,500 cafes by 2023. In short, franchisees needed to know that there was a formal mechanism of their peers that was constantly feeding back to us at the Support Center. I would say that understanding the viewpoints and drivers of the different stakeholders I was serving was important. 770-580-2333, Bold Women in the C-Suite: Cheryl Fletcher, Connect with People Who Have More Experience: Interview with Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Tropical Smoothie Cafe Celebrates Spring With The Return Of Superfruit Smoothies. Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson has been with the company for more than 10 years and is passionate about supporting the franchise systems sustainable growth, the success of its franchisees, and the execution of the brands Inspire Better mission. 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. That created a kind of blueprint that served as the foundation for me to take the reins and lead the company the way I felt was best. In these roles, Charles was responsible for all development of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe brand. Michael brings 20 years of foundational IT skills and core functions of digital knowledge critical to shaping our journey to reach guests via innovative technologies. It's almost all you need to know about the results of Mr. Watsons work and commitment to the franchisees. And theyre in their communities. Youre paying for a premium product. 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200 Thats why food and smoothie innovation is so important, its to keep things fresh and to make sure that our guests are getting exciting things to be able to see and try. Occhiogrosso: What are some of the additional support initiatives you put in place for your franchise community during the pandemic? . So again, I mentioned earlier menu innovation. 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. I love a good pot roast with mashed potatoes, green beans and corn. Well, I think the one thing is that smoothies are anytime, theyre not just a breakfast day part. Richard Key serves as the Chief Operations Officer, responsible for overseeing the operations team and its support and training of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise community. Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. So I actually see myself very much like our consumer who wants to make better choices, but you know what? And it has been a fantastic partnership because we can see the benefit of the dollars that were putting in. So weve been able to do that. No Place Like Home: Home Service Franchises Enjoy Continued Growth During Times Of Financial Difficulty, Little Caesars Pizza Franchise Set To Relaunch In The UK, The Importance Of Having A Franchise Exit Strategy. Were working on it. Chief Development Officer since 2016, after serving as VP of Franchise Development since 2010. Paul Marsden oversees development and execution of financial strategies to support the companys business plans. F-9894), New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Right now we have a BLT quesadilla. *. 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. Camp Sunshine is a camp for kids and their families that have life-threatening illnesses. Looking ahead to twelve months or two years down the road, Watson had this to say: Tropical Smoothie Cafe is in an incredible growth phase. New York State Disclaimer: This advertisement is not an offering. Fixed: Release in which this issue/RFE has been fixed.The release containing this fix may be available for download as an Early Access Release or a General Availability Release. TropicalSmoothie.com. These early experiences in the workforce are what ignited my entrepreneurial spirit. . One of the biggest expenses seen in the income statement is $12 million spent in . We find that real fruits, veggies, and juices just taste better.". Cheryl Fletcher, Chief Development Officer of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, shares highlights of her career and leadership style in Franchising. A shift leaders hourly wage is an average of $11. 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. Here are some highlights of their conversation about his franchise business. 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. We set company-wide strategic imperatives around these issues immediately.". Each year, franchisees complete the Franchise Business Review to essentially grade us here at the Support Center on how we're serving them. Michael Lapid joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in October of 2019 to the role of Chief Information and Digital Officer. Skip to main content Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. Well, we just talked about Camp Sunshine and we have a smoothie called the Sunshine Smoothie that is orange and mango based. And so the way that they impact the communities where they operate is a really big part. Related Posts. 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. Complete the form or call 770-821-1928, and a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise development leader will reach out to you with more information. In support of National Nurses Appreciation Month in May, we have also pledged to donate $100,000 to the American Nurses Foundations COVID-19 Response Fund upon reaching our goal of giving away 1,000,000 smoothies. You may opt-out by. We like to call it chopping wood, meaning you dont decide when quitting time is; you simply get the work done. No credit card required. And its the high quality food. Michael brings 20 years of foundational IT skills and core functions of digital knowledge critical to shaping our journey to reach guests via innovative technologies. 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. So since I like it, and since we love Camp Sunshine, we may see that this fall. "As a first time CEO, learning to view the business from a thinking vs. a doing mentality was a challenge I faced. With extensive experience in the food service industry, Paul comes to Tropical Smoothie Cafe from Popeyes, where he served as the Chief Accounting Officer and spent nearly two decades working in the brands financial and accounting departments. My experience with the brand up to that point was beneficial because I was already very immersed in the operations and processes that had contributed to its success at that time. 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. 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. Building off this momentum, in 2019, we celebrated the openings of our 750th and 800th locations, but taking over during such a monumental time for our brand certainly brought opportunities to improve. Tropical Smoothie Caf Income Statement Key Insights-Analysis based off Predecessor 2020-Overall, Tropical Smoothie Caf is a profitable business, with a net income of $7.6 million in 2020. Yes, we have some great products on our menu that weve crafted, but you can go off script. Weve implemented various franchisee support initiatives, including decreased royalties by 50%, ongoing support with PPP loans and real estate deferrals and abatements, rolling out curbside delivery systemwide, deployed hyper-local marketing strategies to drive business within a 12-mile radius of cafes, among many others. John Joseph Dallier, 61, passed away suddenly at home after severe health complications. Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. The way [Tropical Smoothie Cafe works in markets], we work the suburbs and the outskirts, and move our way into cities. 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. Paul Marsden oversees development and execution of financial strategies to support the companys business plans. I am overjoyed to have the opportunity to lead such an incredible brand that has truly become a part of my DNA over many years, said Watson. The guests who support local businesses in and around their communities are the ones we give the credit to because their loyalty to our cafes is what has ultimately maintained our ability to serve. I was originally a quarterback in high school and had my heart set on the same position for college. *$1,009,803 System Wide Average Net Revenues. Prior to being named CEO in 2018, Charles served as the chief development officer for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. During the current COVID-19 crisis, what steps have you taken to ensure that Tropical Smoothie Cafe supports the local community? Occhiogrosso: What challenges, if any, did you face in getting "buy-in" from the existing franchise community once you became CEO? Without our franchisees, committees, and council, I simply could not do this job. 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 Cafe. In this role, he is responsible for the brand's strategic vision and overall franchise performance. We find that real fruits, veggies, and juices just taste better.". Because of our amazing guests, our franchisees, and the communities they serve, including those on the front lines of this pandemic, we will get through this. Ivebeen with Tropical Smoothie since 2010 and was [first] our vice president of franchise development, he told Mashed. Excludes non-traditional locations and Restaurants that were not open for at least 357 days in 2021. I was 11 years old when I got my first job washing dishes at my fathers restaurant. Watson: "I think when taking over any brand where you worked alongside your predecessor, there's a certain level of pressure to continue carrying the torch, but also to make necessary changes to the brand to evolve with the changing economy and consumer trends. And so I think thats only going to fuel our continued growth going forward. In her role as Chief Development Officer, Cheryl drives the brands franchise development sales, real estate and design and construction. And so we are rolling out this fall, what were calling it, our Inspire Better, right? How is taking the reins of an existing company different than being part of a startup or a founder? Watson: Our franchisees are the heart of our brand, so we wanted to make sure we were doing everything we could to help them stay afloat through the crisis. 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. Its tough. So its got a little bit of indulgence to it. The company's goal is to . My predecessor did a great job, so most of the hesitancy candidly was, "will this guy be as good, will we have the same amount of success?" Tropical Smoothie Caf currently has over 800 locations nationwide. We must be able to service the guests who want to be on demand.. Mr. Watson was appointed the CEO position of. This information is not intended as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. 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. 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.". 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 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. 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.. I think the biggest shift will take place for those restaurants that can't be open right now. Nov 10, 2021, 09:36 ET. A veteran franchise professional, Charles has worked for several hospitality-related companies including Intercontinental Hotels Group and US Franchise Systems. We consider ourselves to be an approachable, healthier option for the average American, and our customer loyalty system-wide continues to climb. So more knowledge about our great food offerings is something that I would change a little bit. It is for information purposes only. TropicalSmoothie.com. Provide product innovation and innovation in general. And it has also driven franchise development and growth, so more units coming out. "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual cafe concept inspiring healthier lifestyles with more than 850 locations in 44 states. Tropical Smoothie Cafe is rounding out yet another year of impressive growth. What is something you wish more people knew about the chain and its products? 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. Although I did not want to focus on COVID-19 in this interview, it is difficult to ignore its impact on the restaurant community as well as franchisees in general. Drain-Net Technologies. The chain plans on opening an astonishing 200 locations this year alone, which will mean its opening its 1000threstaurant. The offering is by prospectus only. We had a high level of mutual trust and respect for each other that existed before I assumed the role of CEO. Were proud to report that as of today, weve donated more than 200,000 smoothies to these hometown heroes, and were not done yet! "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is in a perfect position for the future. He sat down to do an interview with Tim Tang and talked about how his brand is innovating to meet the needs of todays consumers. 13, 2021, 08:36 AM. Mark Montini joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe as Chief Marketing Officer in October 2019. Paul Marsden oversees development and execution of financial strategies to support the companys business plans. NJ. So that would be my thoughts. He is directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises. SUCH REGISTRATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE APPROVAL, RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS NOR A FINDING BY THE COMMISSIONER THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS TRUE, COMPLETE AND NOT MISLEADING. Total investment for a new cafe opening ranges between $246,500 and $580,500. The success of our brand is about the talent and drive of our talented executives and Support Center team. The smoothie-and-food chain has been a strong grower for years and turned on the jets so far in 2021. To what factors do you attribute the growth of the chain in recent years, and to its staying power? Fast CasualAn interview with Tim Tang of HughesDecember 2, 2019. 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. wills o' nats last of the summer wine. So another boldly flavored product, thats been a number one seller for gosh, probably five, six years at this point. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC . 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. Im a football lover. 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. The number one seller from a limited time offer perspective has always been our summertime Watermelon Mojito, its incredibly popular, 20 to 25 sales per cafe per day, with that Watermelon Mojito, everyone looks forward to it. This process only helps our individual franchisees and their bottom line, respectively.". Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. I may have been the smallest employee there (I had to stand on a tub used for busing tables just to reach the sink) but I had the biggest ambition. 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. 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. Watch the complete interview here or start your journey in becoming a Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Owner by completing our form. Your results may differ. Watson: As you know, the restaurant industry has taken a huge hit. He's no stranger to franchise development, nor is Charles Watson an outsider, having served four years as the company's Chief Development Officer in addition to his prior role as VP of Franchise Development. Atlanta, GA 30338 Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe was a recent attendee at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Austin, Texas. I love those states, [but] those are not really key states for us at this point, our big bastions out west are Las Vegas and Phoenix. Thats a smoothie that has pineapple, strawberries, and white chocolate and coconut. Communicate deeply. What were the one or two unique challenges that you faced upon taking over as CEO? Some of our franchisees had the idea to donate smoothies to first responders and hospital workers in Atlanta. And by the way, thats one way Tropical Smoothie Cafe has grown so big so fast the food. 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. Prior to being named CEO in 2018, Charles served as the chief development officer for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. As reopening guidelines are being determined, we plan to move forward with an abundance of caution. Von Kutzleben most recently served as vice president of brand strategy, advertising and menu at Arbys. 5 Questions with Tropical Smoothie CEO Charles Watson. 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. Occhiogrosso: During the current COVID-19 crisis, what steps have you taken to ensure that Tropical Smoothie Cafe supports the local community? Right now Im on a Mango Berry Cosmo kick. Sometimes youve just got to go with the taste. His goal is to achieve $1 billion in sales and 1,500+ cafes by 2023. . Thats our limited-time offer. Although COVID-19 has directly impacted our business, some days being down more than 50 percent, we consider ourselves lucky to have a business model that allowed us to easily transition to grab-and-go, curbside, and delivery only. Franchising offers multiple benefits to a business as a whole. Our consumers really like our food. Our company sells about 200 franchises, opens over 120 cafes a year, and has more than 500 locations in the pipeline. This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. 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. If you don't have a Tropical Smoothie Cafe near your home yet, just wait a bit.