Tropical Smoothie Café News & Media

Top 35 Marketers to be honored at Restaurant Marketing Workshop

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

After a rigorous nomination process and enthusiastic social media voting, 35 leaders were selected for their exceptional contributions to brand growth, digital…

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Tropical Smoothie Cafe adds 3 execs to leadership team

February 11, 2025

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has hired Jonathan Biggs as chief operating officer and promoted Chris Sasser to chief financial officer and Karen Wickliffe to general…

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Jersey Mike’s acquired for $8B

November 19, 2024

Asset management firm Blackstone, which recently invested in Tropical Smoothie Cafe and 7Brew, is acquiring Jersey Mike's for $8 billion, according to the AP.

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Former CKE, Papa Johns exec leading Tropical Smoothie Cafe

November 5, 2024

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has hired Max Wetzel, the former CKE Restaurants Holdings CEO and Papa Johns COO, as its CEO. He succeeds Charles Watson, who is leaving…

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Tropical Smoothie partners with CMI to fill foam cup needs

August 19, 2024

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has tapped Custom Made Inventory to produce its 12- and 24-ounce foam cups, marking the first time CMI has ventured into foam products.

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USA Today readers name Qdoba top fast casual brand

August 1, 2024

USA Today has named Qdoba Mexican Eats "Best Fast Casual Restaurant" on its 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for the sixth consecutive year. A panel of industry…

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Why former Tropical Smoothie CEO is picking up pickleball

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The Pickle Pad, which recently signed a franchise deal to open in Phoenix, is seeking more franchisees to help grow its footprint throughout the U.S.…

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Blackstone completes acquisition of Tropical Smoothie Cafe

June 10, 2024

Blackstone has completed the acquisition of Tropical Smoothie Cafe from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners.

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Tropical Smoothie Cafe getting new owner

April 25, 2024

Atlanta-based Tropical Smoothie Cafe will be under new management when Blackstone acquires the 1,400-unit brand from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, a Los…

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Tropical Smoothie lands at Atlanta airport

March 22, 2024

Atanta-based Tropical Smoothie Cafe opened Tuesday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the T Concourse and is one of several fast casual…

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Tropical Smoothie taps SNL's Chloe Fineman in ad campaign

January 11, 2024

Atlanta-based Tropical Smoothie Cafe is debuting Tropic Bowls, topped with fruit, granola and chia seeds on bases of acai, chia oatmeal pudding or yogurt, as…

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FastCasual reveals 10 most-read stories of 2023

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The holidays are upon us and 2023 is almost over, which means it's time for us to reveal the year's most-read stories.

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Tropical Smoothie Cafe surpasses 1,330 cafes

October 5, 2023

Atlanta-based Tropical Smoothie Cafe continues to see positive growth through Q3 of 2023, reporting positive same-store sales, opening 141 cafes and signing…

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FastCasual to honor 2023 Hall of Famers

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Each leader will attend the summit to accept an award and share leadership experience, strategies and a few lessons learned along the way.

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Franchisee opens 100th Tropical Smoothie

June 23, 2023

Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisee DYNE Hospitality Group opened its 100th location this week. The store is located at 322 Broadway St., in Little Rock.

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Gluten-free, AI-powered fast casual cafe opening in Vegas

June 13, 2023

PowerSoul Cafe, a certified gluten-free fast casual chain, is debuting its flagship store in Las Vegas at year's end at W. Warm Springs Road and S. Cimarron…

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Tropical Smoothie ends Q1 with positive same-store sales

April 7, 2023

Tropical Smoothie Cafe ended Q1 2023 with positive same-store sales driven in part by digital campaigns and menu innovation, according to CMO Deborah von…

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3 restaurant tech trends with staying power in 2023

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Executives from Chipotle, Jersey Mike's, Big Chicken, Modern Market, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Focus Brands and Garden Catering reveal the technologies they deem…

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Tony Roma's, Duck Donuts, Tropical Smoothie among CEOs closing Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit attendees will learn about Tony Roma's transition into the fast casual market, Duck Donuts' growth strategy and…

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Tropical Smoothie opens double drive-thru

October 28, 2022

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has opened a double drive-thru location in Oklahoma City, the first of its kind for the brand.

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