Tropical Smoothie Cafe
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant franchise |
| Founded | 1993 in Florida, United States |
| Founder | Eric Jenrich, Delora Jenrich, David Walker |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Charles Watson (CEO) |
| Parent | Blackstone (since June 10, 2024) |
Tropical Smoothie Cafe, often referred to simply as Tropical Smoothie, is a restaurant franchise based in the United States with more than 1,400 outlets across the country.
On June 10, 2024, the franchisor was acquired by the private equity firm Blackstone.
History
Originating as a smoothie shop in Florida's panhandle in 1993, Tropical Smoothie Franchise Development Corporation was officially formed in 1997 in Destin, Florida. The first franchise location launched the following year in Tallahassee, Florida. Currently, the company’s headquarters are situated in Atlanta, Georgia.
The menu broadened in 1999 to feature sandwiches and wraps. As the franchise expanded, its store interiors adopted a coastal beach house aesthetic characterized by bright white walls, open kitchen layouts, vivid color schemes, and tropical-themed artwork.
By 2006, Tropical Smoothie Cafe had established its 200th outlet in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and by 2019 the number of locations had grown to 800, including stores in areas such as Arlington Heights, Illinois.
The founders—Eric Jenrich, Delora Jenrich, and David Walker—utilized their franchise expertise to develop the brand extensively and brought on seasoned industry leaders during periods of growth.
In 2012, Buckhead Investment Partners (BIP), a private equity firm, took majority ownership. Eric Jenrich and David Walker continued serving on the board while former COO Mike Rotondo assumed the CEO role until 2018. Scott Pressly of BIP acted as chairman until 2020. Subsequently, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP) acquired the company in September 2020. The current CEO is Charles Watson.
Between 2019 and 2021, Tropical Smoothie Cafe held the title sponsorship for the Frisco Bowl.
Menu
Sales across Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s locations are roughly evenly divided between beverages and food items. In May 2013, the chain launched a vegan meat alternative developed by Beyond Meat, comprised of fava bean and pea proteins along with flours and fiber. By July of that year, this Beyond Meat product became a permanent offering at select restaurants, underscoring the brand’s dedication to expanding its plant-based menu selections.