We gathered that feedback and used it to set goals and action plans for the company. But we want to also have a higher calling of what were doing to be great individuals and great corporate citizens. In July 2018, I was named interim CEO, and then permanent in December 2018.". 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. Richard has served in a franchise operations capacity for more than 20 years with brands such as TCBY, Carvel, and Moes Southwest Grill. Tropical Smoothie Cafe announces Charles Watson as the new Chief Executive Officer. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. Find restaurant equipment and suppliers. Prior to that, he was named Chief Development Officer in 2015 after serving as VP of Franchise Development since 2010. Jan 2010 - Nov 20155 years 11 months. Watch the complete interview here or start your journey in becoming a Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Owner by completing our form. And now is the right time to buy." . How do you feel about franchise advisory councils? CALIFORNIA DISCLAIMER: THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. Tropical Smoothie Cafe has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: startup . 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 . 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. Was it a pleasant surprise, expected, or was it a bit of both? 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. For many, many years, its been the Bahama Mama. Maybe you made somebodys day just 1 percent better; you still had a positive impact. 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.". CEO Charles Watson says that the company is "99.9 percent franchise," which means that most of the locations are owned independently. It was not possible for me to get involved in every project so I had to learn to let go and delegate. Michael Lapid joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in October of 2019 to the role of Chief Information and Digital Officer. This process only helps our individual franchisees and their bottom line, respectively.". Were implementing a new point-of-sale system that acts as a hub and enables all third-party delivery, white label delivery, online ordering, etc. Tell us a bit about Camp Sunshine, about the partnership there, what you want people to know about it, and ways people can help support it. The fact that nearly 60% of all new Tropical Smoothie Cafe units are opened by existing franchisees underscores the franchise owner's satisfaction with the concept, the company, and it's leadership. Mark serves on the board of the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. 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.". Complete the form or call. 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. And so were going to really get to focus there. Thats a smoothie that has pineapple, strawberries, and white chocolate and coconut. 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. Were finding ourselves in an environment where people want speed. At the start of his career, Michaels ambitious spirit led him to develop a point of sale system, Hot Sauce. Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. Since that time, he has led the company on its quest towards $1billion in sales by 2023. Atlanta, GA 30338 F-9894), New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. We have a jerk chicken quesadilla, we dont come out and just do a ham or turkey sandwich. 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. And its the high quality food. Resolved: Release in which this issue/RFE has been resolved. Share Tweet Share Pin. Watson:"I wanted to further instill a franchisee-first mentality. Join our Franchise Family. It is, however, a "darn good chaser," he said and . This strategic expansion has reinforced its industry-leading position and set the stage for 2023 and beyond. The brands dedication to Inspire Better in all aspects of the business resonated with me from day one. A veteran franchise professional, Charles has worked for several hospitality-related companies including Intercontinental Hotels Group and US Franchise Systems. Tropical Smoothie Caf's recent momentum isn't just a snowball rolling downhillit's more like a full-on avalanche. Cheryl Fletcher joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in July of 2017. Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. Occhiogrosso: How do you see the company moving forward? What are the brands plans for expansion and are you eyeing an international presence? 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. 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. My job is to serve them. 770-580-2333 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.". Michael Lapid joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in October of 2019 to the role of Chief Information and Digital Officer. 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. 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 . 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)? Occhiogrosso: What are some of the additional support initiatives you put in place for your franchise community during the pandemic? 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. "We were in a good place! Because we want to help with your meal and your food, etc. 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. Outside of smoothies, whats the top-selling non-smoothie product? Right now we have a BLT quesadilla. So I actually see myself very much like our consumer who wants to make better choices, but you know what? It is the food. Weve done different promotions and summertime promotions to raise dollars for Camp Sunshine and have one more coming up this fall for them. Here are some highlights of their conversation about his franchise business. While the pandemic destroyed thousands of restaurants last year, Atlanta-based Tropical Smoothie Cafe had one of its best years to date. I worked for my father throughout my teenage years, and those years were my first taste of what the industry was all about. Today's post focus' on that topic in an interview with Charles Watson, the CEO of Tropical Smoothie Caf. 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. I and/or my business partner(s) have the following financials, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC 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. 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. Mark serves on the board of the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. And provide technology.. I and/or my business partner(s) have the following financials, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC 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. 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 Caf is a Georgia LLC organized on June 25, 2012. 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. I am forever grateful to our franchisees, support center team and our Board of Directors for their confidence in me as the leader who can guide Tropical Smoothie Cafe into a new era.. Vice President Franchise Development. 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. 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. Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. I try to pass along that spirit and advice to others. A minimum net worth of $350,000, which includes $125,000 in liquid assets; Investment and Fee Structure: Start-up fees: A new Cafe investment is between $198,500 and $543,500. 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. Related Posts. So weve been able to do that. Cheryl Fletcher joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in July of 2017. Mark serves on the board of the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. *$1,009,803 System Wide Average Net Revenues. He was previously Tropical Smoothie Cafe's Chief Development Officer since 2016, after serving as VP of Franchise Development since 2010. Watson has been with Tropical Smoothie Cafe for many years now, so he has seen the growth up close. When asked about developing people skills with a generation used to communicating online, Its an opportunity for us as managers and Franchise Owners to teach the staff how to greet people, look them in the eye, and ask how may I serve you today? Its our job to teach the next generation. So again, I mentioned earlier menu innovation. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. We consider ourselves to be an approachable, healthier option for the average American, and our customer loyalty system-wide continues to climb. And so the way that they impact the communities where they operate is a really big part. Von Kutzleben most recently served as vice president of brand strategy, advertising and menu at Arbys. Tang asked Watson what support his Franchise Owners need from Tropical Smoothie Cafe. The success of our brand is about the talent and drive of our talented executives and Support Center team. It was important to me that we have franchisees themselves share their feedback and align on system initiatives and goals. Were now seeing a big acceleration in the business in 2021, much of that is attributable to our franchisees, really working hard to stand up digital channels. "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. In todays restaurant industry, consumers are always looking for the next trendy item or the next emerging concept. Nov 10, 2021, 09:36 ET. Those franchisees are serving our guests on the front lines I can't run this business without their candid feedback.". Tell us a little about your background before joining Tropical Smoothie? And so I dont know. 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. With 158 cafe openings and 258 executed franchise agreements in 2022, the brand was able to achieve its 11th consecutive year of positive same-store-sales growth, a notable milestone in the franchise industry. Provide product innovation and innovation in general. How is taking the reins of an existing company different than being part of a startup or a founder? A presentation for a board is focused on very different things than a franchisee roadshow. 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. 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. 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. 2~10() . However, I ended up a punter at Cornell. 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. I would say Im absolutely not opposed to being in all 50 states. 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. Charles Watson was named CEO in December 2018. Our relationships are founded on trust and respect for the unique talents of our teams, franchisees, and vendors alike. I dont believe that the people side of our business is dead.. But its the freshness. 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. So thats what we call Inspiring Better. Southern-style, all the way! The best smoothie in terms of sales actually going on right now is our Mango Berry Cosmo. 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. Mr. Watson was appointed the CEO position of Tropical Smoothie Cafe in December 2018. Watson will lead us through our next phase of strategic growth. Over the years, weve learned that our innovative and versatile menu, featuring a wide variety of food items in addition to smoothies, has brought tremendous success to our brand and to our incredible franchisees. I have a lot of people that inspire me daily, but I really do think that my parents inspired me to be the leader I am today. 2020, 2019, and 2018 average, median, highest, and lowest net revenues, number of stores, and number and percentage of stores that surpassed the average net revenues in the category for the top 10%, top 25%, . Occhiogrosso: What was the condition of the company before you were named CEO? 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. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. CHARLES WATSON: Sure, absolutely. We have three tenets in how we serve our Franchise Owners. What was your plan for the first 90 days? Be sure that you have a minimum net worth of $350,000 and $125,000 in liquid assets. I have a little bit sweeter palate. Charles is directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises during his tenure. In this role, he is responsible for the brand's strategic vision and overall franchise performance. 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. 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. Here's how CEO Charles Watson did it. We figured a good person to ask might be the CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Charles Watson. At the start of his career, Michaels ambitious spirit led him to develop a point of sale system, Hot Sauce. Its getting involved in the local community. 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. Over the next five years, our goals are to reach 1,500 cafes open across the U.S., with over 18% profitability for our franchisees on average volumes in excess of $1M, all with very high operational satisfaction for our guests. He has been instrumental in developing the culture of Tropical Smoothie Cafe and earning the trust of our franchisees. The offering is by prospectus only. 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. Our company sells about 200 franchises, opens over 120 cafes a year, and has more than 500 locations in the pipeline. And at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, we really focus on the fresh ingredients. We find that real fruits, veggies, and juices just taste better.". At the start of his career, Michaels ambitious spirit led him to develop a point of sale system, Hot Sauce. So we have a broad array of food products that are both healthier and theyre more boldly flavored. Your results may differ. 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." Those franchisees are serving our guests on the front lines I can't run this business without their candid feedback.". It's tropic time. When our franchisees are successful, the brand is successful. Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, said, "It's inspiring to be part of the growth that Tropical Smoothie Cafe has . . Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. And those are the most important things that I do.. The success of our brand is about the talent and drive of our talented executives and Support Center team. Find contact details for 700 million professionals. The chain plans on opening an astonishing 200 locations this year alone, which will mean its opening its 1000threstaurant. In 2018, when I was named CEO, we had more than 720 locations open nationwide. Atlanta, GA 30338 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. Our relationships are founded on trust and respect for the unique talents of our teams, franchisees, and vendors alike. 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 . Oh gosh. So more knowledge about our great food offerings is something that I would change a little bit. "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual cafe concept inspiring healthier lifestyles with more than 850 locations in 44 states. 770-580-2333 A veteran hospitality professional, Charles has worked for several hospitality-related companies, including Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Intercontinental Hotels Group, US Franchise Systems, Inc., and Hospitality Real Estate Counselors. In her role as Chief Development Officer, Cheryl drives the brands franchise development sales, real estate and design and construction. Thats our limited-time offer. Passion and brand vision continue to guide the way. In her role as Chief Development Officer, Cheryl drives the brands franchise development sales, real estate and design and construction. 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. So thats always up there. Occhiogrosso: What were the one or two unique challenges that you faced upon taking over as CEO? In her role as Chief Development Officer, Cheryl drives the brands franchise development sales, real estate and design and construction. We can go to camp, we can be counselors. Next year marks 25 years since the brands founding. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200, Atlanta, GA 30338. Tropical Smoothie Caf works to keep its momentum. For the fiscal year 2021, these End-Cap and In-Line Tropical Smoothie Cafe Restaurants typically ranged in size from 1,200 to 1,900 square feet. 770-821-1928, and a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise development leader will reach out to you with more information. Occhiogrosso: How is taking the reins of an existing company different than being part of a startup or a founder? wills o' nats last of the summer wine. For more information about owning a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise, complete our form! With 2011 winding down, how are you leveraging people, budgets, brands, and resources to meet development goals? Complete the form or call 770-821-1928, and a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise development leader will reach out to you with more information. And theyre in their communities. Previously with Papa Johns International as the Vice President, Global Digital Technology, Michael is a seasoned technology executive with vast engineering and operations expertise, leadership, and a deep understanding of digital technology and guest experiences. There are currently 913 franchised locations and 1 company-owned restaurant. Smoothie King to Open More Than 100 Stores in 2023 February 3, 2023 Crisp & Green Inks Largest Multi-Unit Deal in Company History with 40 Units Sold February 2, 2023 Dine Brands International Expands with Dual-Brand Locations in the Middle East January 31, 2023 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. For the fiscal year 2021, these End-Cap and In-Line Tropical Smoothie Cafe Restaurants typically ranged in size from 1,200 to 1,900 square feet. 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. Well see, I may have to bring that one back. Chipotle chicken flatbread. Cheryl Fletcher joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in July of 2017. "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. During the current COVID-19 crisis, what steps have you taken to ensure that Tropical Smoothie Cafe supports the local community? We have quesadillas, we have flatbread sandwiches, we have sandwiches, we have salads.

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