We gathered that feedback and used it to set goals and action plans for the company. To what factors do you attribute the growth of the chain in recent years, and to its staying power? See where were looking to grow to meet the incredible demand. "I've been with Tropical Smoothie since 2010 and was [first] our vice president of franchise development," he told Mashed. And was one in place already? In these roles, Charles was responsible for all development of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe brand. Excludes non-traditional locations and Restaurants that were not open for at least 357 days in 2021. 770-580-2333 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. So we have a broad array of food products that are both healthier and theyre more boldly flavored. 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. How do you feel about franchise advisory councils? Occhiogrosso: What were the one or two unique challenges that you faced upon taking over as CEO? Paul Marsden oversees development and execution of financial strategies to support the companys business plans. 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. wills o' nats last of the summer wine. 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. cincinnati fence company llc SERVICE. But its the freshness. Michael Lapid joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in October of 2019 to the role of Chief Information and Digital Officer. This information is not intended as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. Were working on it. 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. Well, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, we've got 850 locations in 44 states. 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. NJ. Mark Montini joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe as Chief Marketing Officer in October 2019. Weve been in partnership with them for over 10 years now. "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. So I was compelled to ask Mr. Watson his thoughts on the pandemic and the company's response. Find restaurant equipment and suppliers. 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. 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. I think the biggest shift will take place for those restaurants that can't be open right now. 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. We add some spice to it. 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. charles watson tropical smoothie net worth. 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. Jul. Your results may differ. 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. 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. 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. So theres a lot of involvement. A presentation for a board is focused on very different things than a franchisee roadshow. 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. 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. F-9894), New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Occhiogrosso: How is taking the reins of an existing company different than being part of a startup or a founder? 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. Atlanta, GA 30338 I think they can be used throughout the day and utilized in guests diets. Areas we wanted to attack immediately with our rapid growth were direct franchisee support as well as technology support and menu innovation. "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is in a perfect position for the future. You are here: Home 1 / Clearway in the Community 2 / Uncategorised 3 / charles watson tropical smoothie net worth 12th June 2022 / in chopin sonata 2 analysis / by When I became CEO, I launched a formal franchisee advisory council, known in our organization as the Tropical Franchisee Council (TFC). We have quesadillas, we have flatbread sandwiches, we have sandwiches, we have salads. 770-580-2333, NRN Editors Discuss Digital Engagement with CMO Deborah von Kutzleben, Tropical Smoothie Cafe Achieves New Milestones in 2022, These Will Be The 10 Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chains In 2023. Von Kutzleben most recently served as vice president of brand strategy, advertising and menu at Arbys. TropicalSmoothie.com. Cheryl Fletcher joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in July of 2017. Any plans for celebrations and promotions around the quarter-century mark? The offerings have evolved over the years to include a menu of breakfast and lunch items beyond smoothies. 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. 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. 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.. Watson: "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual cafe concept inspiring healthier lifestyles with more than 850 locations in 44 states. Because sure, the smoothies sell well and all, but did you know about the Chipotle Chicken Club flatbread sandwich? Now were really taking the lead from our franchisees and building out DMAs organically from outside them. charles watson tropical smoothie net worth Richard has served in a franchise operations capacity for more than 20 years with brands such as TCBY, Carvel, and Moes Southwest Grill. 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. 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. Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. 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 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. 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 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. "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual cafe concept inspiring healthier lifestyles with more than 850 locations in 44 states. This process only helps our individual franchisees and their bottom line, respectively.". CALIFORNIA DISCLAIMER: THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. Yes, it has a brand name on it, but it is Bill and Sally Smith on the corner and theyre entrepreneurs. 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. New York State Disclaimer: This advertisement is not an offering. We look forward to realizing Charles vision for the company.. I and/or my business partner(s) have the following financials, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC When our franchisees are successful, the brand is successful. Were in 44 states, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe does not currently have an international presence. 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 sustainable growth, the success of its franchisees, and the execution of the brand's Inspire Better mission. in December 2018. 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. Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. Maybe you made somebodys day just 1 percent better; you still had a positive impact. Those franchisees are serving our guests on the front lines I can't run this business without their candid feedback.". Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. Mark serves on the board of the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. What sets your smoothies apart from smoothies from competitors? 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. So our franchisees, if theyre staying on top of their Tropical Smoothie Cafe, theyve got to own that three to five mile radius around there. And I dont think enough people know that you can go off script to substitute or to take out, etc. Husband-And-Wife Team Inspire Better | Tropical Smoothie Cafe This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. *$1,009,803 System Wide Average Net Revenues. If you don't have a Tropical Smoothie Cafe near your home yet, just wait a bit. You may opt-out by. In these roles, Charles was responsible for all development of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe brand. A veteran hospitality professional . Share Tweet Share Pin. 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 Similar Companies - SmoothieProClub.com The Untold Truth Of Tropical Smoothie Cafe - Mashed.com Whats the best piece of advice that other restaurant executives should hear? I and/or my business partner(s) have the following financials, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC This is a BETA experience. Complete the form or call. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Posts Record-Breaking Q2 Results Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota (File No. Watson: "Like I said, I was very fortunate to have had already developed relationships with our franchise community prior to becoming CEO. 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. Interested Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise candidates should have business experience, along with a minimum net worth of $350,000, which includes $125,000 in liquid assets. As you know, the restaurant industry has taken a huge hit. Charles Watson serves as CEO for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. We set company-wide strategic imperatives around these issues immediately.". In a franchise system, without broad franchisee buy-in, you cannot move as efficiently and effectively as is required in today's business environment.". This information is not intended as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. Were any of the franchisees reluctant to follow the system or embrace a new direction? charles watson tropical smoothie cafe. Sometimes youve just got to go with the taste. Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. Resolved: Release in which this issue/RFE has been resolved. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the leading national fast-casual cafe concept known for both its better-for-you smoothies and food with a tropical twist, announces the appointment of Charles Watson as the new Chief Executive Officer. Tropical Smoothie Franchise Cost & Profit for 2023 Explained Charles Watson of Tropical Smoothie Cafe: - medium.com We consider ourselves to be an approachable, healthier option for the average American, and our customer loyalty system-wide continues to climb. How is taking the reins of an existing company different than being part of a startup or a founder? But the Mango Berry Cosmo has overtaken it. So more knowledge about our great food offerings is something that I would change a little bit. 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. My mentality and passion for what I do has remained consistent at every stage of my career, carrying over to when I first started with Tropical Smoothie Cafe in 2010, as the brands first vice president of franchise development. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota (File No. Early in his career, Mark served the franchise industry as a supplier, delivering innovative technology-enabled marketing strategies to help emerging franchise concepts rapidly scale and grow revenue through local-level marketing and sales. 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. I dont believe that the people side of our business is dead.. I was 11 years old when I got my first job washing dishes at my fathers restaurant. He was previously Tropical Smoothie Cafe's Chief Development Officer since 2016, after serving as VP of Franchise Development since 2010. 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. Mr. Watson was appointed the CEO position of. Charles is directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises during his tenure. Tropical Smoothie Prioritizes Franchisees to Inspire Growth The smiles we saw and stories we heard inspired us to think bigger and explore how we could do even more to support the communities we serve. 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. Occhiogrosso: How do you see the company moving forward? Its the high quality ingredients. 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 Watson:"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. And they want what they want when they want it, and thats usually right now. Right now Im on a Mango Berry Cosmo kick. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Achieves 11th Straight Year of Positive Same Charles Watson CEO. 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. Yes, we have some great products on our menu that weve crafted, but you can go off script. So I think a great franchisee base, and products and innovation that people want. 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. There are currently 913 franchised locations and 1 company-owned restaurant. I may have been, in fact, the person responsible for awarding them a franchise! 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. 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. 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. So its getting involved with charity partners. And provide technology.. "We were in a good place! For me, its about really making sure that those DMAs [distinct market areas] or those different cities are all well represented and well connected so that our brand can compete in those different cities. 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. In her role as Chief Development Officer, Cheryl drives the brands franchise development sales, real estate and design and construction. Watson has more than 10 years of experience with Tropical Smoothie Cafe and led our franchise development efforts since 2010. Were finding ourselves in an environment where people want speed. 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 . charles watson tropical smoothie net worth - shantisrl.com Prior to that, he was named Chief Development Officer in 2015 after serving as VP of Franchise Development since 2010. 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. Management can grow a company without having to invest too much money, and . So I think theres a misconception with some brands that, for example a Slurpee, its not at all a Slurpee, its absolutely whole real fruit, ice, water, very basic items. Skip to main content Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. 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. I try to pass along that spirit and advice to others. Watson: "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual cafe concept inspiring healthier lifestyles with more than 850 locations in 44 states. In her role as Chief Development Officer, Cheryl drives the brands franchise development sales, real estate and design and construction. Tropical Smoothie is a Georgia-based company that owns and operates a chain of restaurants serving smoothies, sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups. 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. 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 my experience, making franchisee success and profitability the priority is the key to the longevity of any franchised brand. As a 35 year veteran of the restaurant and franchise industry, I have always been fascinated by the challenges, risks, rewards, and day to day "work" a CEO faces when first taking the helm of an ongoing franchise organization. The best smoothie in terms of sales actually going on right now is our Mango Berry Cosmo. 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. Thats a smoothie that has pineapple, strawberries, and white chocolate and coconut. Unresolved: Release in which this issue/RFE will be addressed. Really trying to understand how to see the world through a different stakeholders' eyes is something I still work on.". Tropical Smoothie Cafe Names New CMO - PR Newswire Then we determined two focus areas, giving back to the community and prioritizing support for our franchisees. So since I like it, and since we love Camp Sunshine, we may see that this fall. 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. What are the brands plans for expansion and are you eyeing an international presence? As reopening guidelines are being determined, we plan to move forward with an abundance of caution. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota (File No. Tropical Smoothie Franchise Cost & Profit for 2023 Explained - Vetted Biz Tropical Smoothie Caf is a Georgia LLC organized on June 25, 2012. Well, I think the one thing is that smoothies are anytime, theyre not just a breakfast day part. Your results may differ. 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 Caf works to keep its momentum. Some of our franchisees had the idea to donate smoothies to first responders and hospital workers in Atlanta. Here's how CEO Charles Watson did it. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Puts Franchisees, Community First During Crisis