Tropical Smoothie Cafe Targeting Tampa For Franchise Growth

Local Entrepreneurs Invited to Join CEO Mike Rotondo in St. Petersburg on June 30 to Learn about Business Opportunities

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Jun 09, 2015, 09:00 ET

ATLANTA, June 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 Tampa, Fla., for franchise growth. Over the next 1-2 years, the sandwich and smoothie franchise aims to open approximately 10 new locations in surrounding cities including Palm Harbor, Clearwater Beach and Northdale. Currently, there are four cafes in the Greater Tampa area.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise executives, including CEO Mike Rotondo, will host a special franchising opportunities event on Tuesday, June 30 beginning 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 Quint Noordstar, area director and Tampa-area franchisee. The event will be held at the Tropical Smoothie Cafe located at 1201 4^th Street North in St. Petersburg.

"Get ready to become introduced to a franchise concept that not only helps improves the lives of people in your community, but also helps you achieve your dreams at becoming a business owner," said Noordstar. "Since becoming a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisee more than 10 years ago, I've been able to deliver quality products in my local community and look forward expanding the brand's presence in Tampa. We encourage entrepreneurs to join us on June 30 to learn out how you can achieve success in the smoothie industry."

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 quarter of 2015, Tropical Smoothie Cafe reported a 12.31-percent growth in same-store sales and franchise agreements to open 51 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 Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Boston, Portland and Columbus, Ohio, among others. 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 http://tropicalfranchise.com/tampa-event to register for the upcoming Tampa event.

About Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Founded in 1997, Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a fast-casual restaurant concept inspiring healthy lifestyles across the country, with over 425 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.

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SOURCE Tropical Smoothie Cafe