News

Tropical Smoothie Café eyes Charlotte for expansion

April 24, 2014

After a string of restaurant openings and franchise agreements in North Carolina in the past year, Tropical Smoothie Café plans to add 15 new locations in Charlotte. The local expansion follows a period of healthy growth for the 365-unit Tropical Smoothie Café, which opened 40 restaurants nationwide and increased same-store sales by 6.4 percent last year, according to a company press release.

Tropical Smoothie Café identified Charlotte as a key growth market after former Carolina Panther Everette Brown, who currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys, opened the city's first location in November 2013. Reasons for expansion in Charlotte include growing consumer demand for healthier food and snack options as well as the success of established locations in nearby South Carolina and Virginia, said Tropical Smoothie Café CEO Mike Rotondo.

Tropical Smoothie Café is currently seeking franchise partners to develop the neighborhoods in and around Charlotte. Other areas in North Carolina to be developed include Fayetteville, Asheville, Boone, Elizabeth City, Hickory and Highpoint.

Last year, Tropical Smoothie Café signed a notable franchise agreement with Cary, N.C., resident Sherman Dye to develop 10 locations in Raleigh, the first of which opened April 14 in Cary, Rotondo said. Dye, a 32-year veteran of the restaurant industry, spent 28 years with the Burger King Corporation before joining the Tropical Smoothie Café system, serving in various roles including franchisee, director of operations and market manager.

"It's a fun and healthy concept that serves some of the best food and real-fruit smoothies I have ever tasted," said Dye. "I love the simplicity of the Tropical Smoothie Café business model and that it's a healthier alternative to typical fast food. As a local owner, I can feel good about serving my neighbors healthier food."

Tropical Smoothie Café currently has 11 locations open and another 21 franchises signed or under development in North Carolina. The brand will open 55 restaurants throughout the country this year.