Charles has the tenacity, vision and passion this brand needs to continue our upward trajectory and will ensure the success of our franchisees is at the center of every decision we make, said Scott Pressly, Chairman of the Board, Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Chief Development Officer since 2016, after serving as VP of Franchise Development since 2010. And its the high quality food. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Charles Watson was named CEO in December 2018. 770-580-2333, Tropical Smoothie Cafe Achieves New Milestones in 2022, These Will Be The 10 Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chains In 2023, Tropical Smoothie Cafe Propels Franchise Momentum in Q3. Watson: "Like I said, I was very fortunate to have had already developed relationships with our franchise community prior to becoming CEO. Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson has been with the company for more than 10 years and is passionate about supporting the franchise system's . Our company sells about 200 franchises, opens over 120 cafes a year, and has more than 500 locations in the pipeline. Always number one, what I am focused on, is unit-level economics for our Franchise Owners. Its a fantastic organization that weve enjoyed immensely being part of. 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. Based on our fiscal year ending 12/26/2021 and includes 768 Restaurants that were open for at least 12 months as of 12/26/2021. At the start of his career, Michaels ambitious spirit led him to develop a point of sale system, Hot Sauce. Was it a pleasant surprise, expected, or was it a bit of both? 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.". Richard has served in a franchise operations capacity for more than 20 years with brands such as TCBY, Carvel, and Moes Southwest Grill. 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. We gathered that feedback and used it to set goals and action plans for the company. And at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, we really focus on the fresh ingredients. Resolved: Release in which this issue/RFE has been resolved. 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. 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. . CALIFORNIA DISCLAIMER: THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. Your results may differ. Without our franchisees, committees, and council, I simply could not do this job. 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. Watson:"When COVID-19 struck the restaurant landscape in mid-March, we closed all dining rooms and shifted our focus to drive-thru, curbside pickup, and delivery where available. And we actually drove our comparative sales versus 2019 by 7.5%. Charles Watson is Chief Executive Officer at Tropical Smoothie Cafe Corp. See Charles Watson's compensation, career history, education, & memberships. We had a high level of mutual trust and respect for each other that existed before I assumed the role of CEO. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Charles Watson serves as CEO for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. 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. "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. menu boasts bold, flavorful smoothies with a healthy appeal, all made-to-order with quality ingredients. So weve been able to do that. ATLANTA, July 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a leading national fast-casual cafe franchise known for both its better-for-you smoothies and food with a . And thats like: Whos the bad kid in the family! Weve got everything right from Island Green Detox, with zero sugar, and ginger, and everything. 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. jdoe@tropicalsmoothie.com), which is being used by 23.3% of Tropical Smoothie Cafe work email addresses. So its got a little bit of indulgence to it. 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 . The chain plans on opening an astonishing 200 locations this year alone, which will mean its opening its 1000threstaurant. TropicalSmoothie.com. Well, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, we've got 850 locations in 44 states. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota (File No. 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." He is directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises. A veteran franchise professional, Charles has worked for several hospitality-related companies including Intercontinental Hotels Group and US Franchise Systems. January 21, 2010 // Franchising.com // Destin, Fla. - Tropical Smoothie Caf, a tropical-themed smoothie and sandwich chain with more than 285 locations, announced today that Charles Watson has . Are there misconceptions about smoothies you want cleared up? webtv.net; 5+ 404-210-XXXX; 770-670-XXXX; 770-821-XXXX; 770-580-XXXX; 770-821-XXXX; 678949XXXX; Paul Marsden Chief Financial Officer . Provide product innovation and innovation in general. In a franchise system, without broad franchisee buy-in, you cannot move as efficiently and effectively as is required in today's business environment.". 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. Sometimes youve just got to go with the taste. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. Passion is key in everything. He has been the Chief Development Officer since 2015 and directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises during his tenure. 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. Richard has served in a franchise operations capacity for more than 20 years with brands such as TCBY, Carvel, and Moes Southwest Grill. Next year marks 25 years since the brands founding. Yes, it has a brand name on it, but it is Bill and Sally Smith on the corner and theyre entrepreneurs. Successfully taking the reins on an existing franchise company can be a daunting task, but in the case of Charles Watson, he continues, as their franchise website claims, to create waves for a brand that started on the beach. And was one in place already? See where were looking to grow to meet the incredible demand. While we had always involved franchisees, I felt it needed to be formalized and more visible to our franchise system. Occhiogrosso: What was the condition of the company before you were named CEO? 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. I dont believe that the people side of our business is dead.. 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. Because we want to help with your meal and your food, etc. We strive to continue to harness these relationships in this way and feel that this approach will continue to fuel our success. What were the one or two unique challenges that you faced upon taking over as CEO? Tropical Smoothie Caf is a Georgia LLC organized on June 25, 2012. Drain-Net Technologies. So thats always up there. The TFC works hand-in-hand with Tropical Smoothie on all facets of the business from operations, IT, marketing, construction, and beyond, and their genuine feedback continues to establish the open communication we strive for, helping us to enhance our business model on an ongoing basis. Were 100% focused on domestic right now. Whats your favorite cuisine outside of Tropical Smoothie? So I think a great franchisee base, and products and innovation that people want. It was important to me that we have franchisees themselves share their feedback and align on system initiatives and goals. charles watson tropical smoothie cafe. It is, however, a "darn good chaser," he said and . By year-end 2018 we opened 110 cafes and signed 191 new franchise agreements. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Its been quite the adventure since becoming the CEO in 2018, and Ive enjoyed every twist and turn in the road. Michael Lapid joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in October of 2019 to the role of Chief Information and Digital Officer. 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 is a national fast-casual cafe concept inspiring healthier lifestyles with more than 850 locations in 44 states. Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. We like to call it chopping wood, meaning you dont decide when quitting time is; you simply get the work done. Watson:"I wanted to further instill a franchisee-first mentality. *. The most common Tropical Smoothie Cafe email format is [first_initial] [last] (ex. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota (File No. 770-580-2333, NRN Editors Discuss Digital Engagement with CMO Deborah von Kutzleben, In Her Own Words: Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisees gain Cheryl Fletchers support, Tropical Smoothie Cafe Opens First Double Drive-Thru Location. 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. I love that. 2~10() . So Ive got to get them in while I can. Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. A veteran franchise professional, Charles has worked for several hospitality-related companies including Intercontinental Hotels Group and US Franchise Systems. This information is not intended as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. It was not possible for me to get involved in every project so I had to learn to let go and delegate. This information is not intended as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. Jul. In a highly competitive segment, we're one of the fastest-growing quick-casual brands, opening 124 new locations in 2019 alone and singing 213 development agreements to open hundreds of businesses over the next few years.". So theres a lot of involvement. We can make you any smoothie that you like with our whole ingredients and you can mix and match as you see fit. By Jonathan Maze on Apr. "We were in a good place! 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. The Tropical Franchisee Council (TFC) was established in 2018 and has been invaluable for our growth. "As a first time CEO, learning to view the business from a thinking vs. a doing mentality was a challenge I faced. 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. Thatll come down over time, but were going to open 130 cafes on top of that. Richard has served in a franchise operations capacity for more than 20 years with brands such as TCBY, Carvel, and Moes Southwest Grill. During the current COVID-19 crisis, what steps have you taken to ensure that Tropical Smoothie Cafe supports the local community? 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. This information is not intended as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. We figured a good person to ask might be the CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Charles Watson. On the other hand, its hard to beat a plate of spaghetti. 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. 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 And it has also driven franchise development and growth, so more units coming out. Occhiogrosso:What was your plan for the first 90 days? We loved the idea so much we launched a nationwide campaign to donate 100,000 smoothies across the country and the response has been incredible. 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. 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. A veteran hospitality professional . While we had always involved franchisees, I felt it needed to be formalized and more visible to our franchise system. Were finding ourselves in an environment where people want speed. I lean into that so that our employees can feel good about what they do.. And is there a smoothie that you wish to see added to the menu in the future? Did you foresee the level of growth the chain has experienced of late? This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. 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. 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. We want to capture both the head and the heart of our consumers. Show all. Its tough. Watson will lead us through our next phase of strategic growth. The company planned 130 in just 2020; signed 36 of a hopeful 200 franchise agreements by March; and was well on its way to adding five units to its annual . I would say that understanding the viewpoints and drivers of the different stakeholders I was serving was important. Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson has been with the company for more than 10 years and is passionate about . The TFC works hand-in-hand with Tropical Smoothie on all facets of the business from operations, IT, marketing, construction, and beyond, and their genuine feedback continues to establish the open communication we strive for, helping us to enhance our business model on an ongoing basis. We have very dedicated franchisees that just go out there and drive the business every day. Communicate deeply. To what factors do you attribute the growth of the chain in recent years, and to its staying power? Its only here until August. Complete the form or call 770-821-1928, and a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise development leader will reach out to you with more information. 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. We consider ourselves to be an approachable, healthier option for the average American, and our customer loyalty system-wide continues to climb. But I would tell you that what has ultimately driven this brand is our franchisees and it is our culture, right? Some of our franchisees had the idea to donate smoothies to first responders and hospital workers in Atlanta. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC . I joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in 2010 as the Vice President of Franchise Development and, in 2016, became the Chief Development Officer, where I was responsible for all aspects of the development of the brand. Charles is directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises during his tenure. You know, this is terrible, but Ive never gone through a pandemic before obviously, and I would have to say Im pretty pleased I think we did a very nice job during 2020, we opened 99 new restaurants. In this role, he is responsible for the brand's strategic vision and overall franchise performance. He was previously. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of franchise development, real estate, design and construction and franchise administration and helped grow the system from 265 open units to 725 open units. Those franchisees are serving our guests on the front lines I can't run this business without their candid feedback.". It is for information purposes only. Watson: "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. 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. In 2018, when I was named CEO, we had more than 720 locations open nationwide. There is no assurance that you will do as well. Each year, franchisees complete the Franchise Business Review to essentially grade us here at the Support Center on how we're serving them. Show them that we care. Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. Paul Marsden oversees development and execution of financial strategies to support the companys business plans. This strategic expansion has reinforced its industry-leading position and set the stage for 2023 and beyond. This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. 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. Day-to-day I would say my favorite is the Avocolada Smoothie. Our relationships are founded on trust and respect for the unique talents of our teams, franchisees, and vendors alike. Turns out, theres a lot to know about Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Prior to joining Tropical Smoothie Cafe, I worked for several hotel and hospitality-centric companies, including Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Intercontinental Hotels Group, US Franchise Systems, Inc. and Hospitality Real Estate Counselors. When I became CEO, I launched a formal franchisee advisory council, known in our organization as the Tropical Franchisee Council (TFC). See where were looking to grow to meet the incredible demand. 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 . So I actually see myself very much like our consumer who wants to make better choices, but you know what? I worked for my father throughout my teenage years, and those years were my first taste of what the industry was all about. Watson has been with Tropical Smoothie Cafe for many years now, so he has seen the growth up close. We set company-wide strategic imperatives around these issues immediately.". 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. Paul Marsden oversees development and execution of financial strategies to support the companys business plans. Its in Casco, Maine, Camp Sunshine. . 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. But the Mango Berry Cosmo has overtaken it. Yeah. 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. Again, the franchising, especially in Tropical Smoothie, it is a local business. Be sure that you have a minimum net worth of $350,000 and $125,000 in liquid assets. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200, Atlanta, GA 30338. 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. Based on our fiscal year ending 12/26/2021 and includes 768 Restaurants that were open for at least 12 months as of 12/26/2021. 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. And so thats one of my favorites. Find contact details for 700 million professionals. 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. 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. wills o' nats last of the summer wine. Watson:"As a first time CEO, learning to view the business from a thinking vs. a doing mentality was a challenge I faced. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of franchise development, real estate, design and construction and franchise administration and helped grow the system from 265 open units to 725 open units. Prior to being named CEO in 2018, Charles served as the chief development officer for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. When our franchisees are successful, the brand is successful. I think all natural, whole fruit, and the ability to substitute while also having some really great baseline recipes that we have out there. 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. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. "When COVID-19 struck the restaurant landscape in mid-March, we closed all dining rooms and shifted our focus to drive-thru, curbside pickup, and delivery where available. We consider ourselves to be an approachable, healthier option for the average American, and our customer loyalty system-wide continues to climb. CEO Charles Watson, . Both of my parents had the entrepreneur bug and they definitely passed that on to me. What sets your smoothies apart from smoothies from competitors? 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 challenges, if any, did you face in getting "buy-in" from the existing franchise community once you became CEO? 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. We strive to continue to harness these relationships in this way and feel that this approach will continue to fuel our success. It's almost all you need to know about the results of Mr. Watsons work and commitment to the franchisees. Occhiogrosso: How do you see the company moving forward? 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. Based on our fiscal year ending 12/26/2021 and includes 768 Restaurants that were open for at least 12 months as of 12/26/2021. This process only helps our individual franchisees and their bottom line, respectively.". 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. We find that real fruits, veggies, and juices just taste better.". Michael Lapid joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in October of 2019 to the role of Chief Information and Digital Officer. 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. Areas we wanted to attack immediately with our rapid growth were direct franchisee support as well as technology support and menu innovation. Fast CasualAn interview with Tim Tang of HughesDecember 2, 2019. 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. Gary Occhiogrosso: Tell us a little about your background before joining Tropical Smoothie? Watson: "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual cafe concept inspiring healthier lifestyles with more than 850 locations in 44 states. 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. "I've been with Tropical Smoothie since 2010 and was [first] our vice president of franchise development," he told Mashed. Vice President Franchise Development. Your results may differ. What is behind the companys rapid growth and impressive success (which, according to a company spokesperson, sawyear-to-date same-store-sales increase by 38% in recent quarters)?