Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. charles watson tropical smoothie net worth Mark serves on the board of the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. So I think a great franchisee base, and products and innovation that people want. Prior to being named CEO in 2018, Charles served as the chief development officer for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Prior to being named CEO in 2018, Charles served as the chief development officer for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. The guests who support local businesses in and around their communities are the ones we give the credit to because their loyalty to our cafes is what has ultimately maintained our ability to serve. Tropical Smoothie Cafe has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: startup . My predecessor did a great job, so most of the hesitancy candidly was, "will this guy be as good, will we have the same amount of success?" 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. I may have been, in fact, the person responsible for awarding them a franchise! He is directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises. You may opt-out by. This information is not intended as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. 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. 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. 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 Cafe CEO Charles Watson has been with the company for more than 10 years and is passionate about supporting the franchise system's . CEO Charles Watson says that the company is "99.9 percent franchise," which means that most of the locations are owned independently. What are some of your interests outside of work? 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. Those franchisees are serving our guests on the front lines I can't run this business without their candid feedback.". Areas we wanted to attack immediately with our rapid growth were direct franchisee support as well as technology support and menu innovation. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. shin numbness after acl surgery; first friday phoenix vendor application; benton high school baseball roster; surprise message link for boyfriend Occhiogrosso: During the current COVID-19 crisis, what steps have you taken to ensure that Tropical Smoothie Cafe supports the local community? 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. 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. Thats our limited-time offer. We have very dedicated franchisees that just go out there and drive the business every day. Excludes non-traditional locations and Restaurants that were not open for at least 357 days in 2021. We set company-wide strategic imperatives around these issues immediately.". So that was helpful! 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. NJ. Amid all the pandemic news and stories of how the foodservice business is coping with the crisis, I thought I'd attempt to redirect our attention today, even if only for a short while. While we had always involved franchisees, I felt it needed to be formalized and more visible to our franchise system. Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. So we dont have any specific development goals associated, i.e. Its the high quality ingredients. When I became CEO, I launched a formal franchisee advisory council, known in our organization as the Tropical Franchisee Council (TFC). Looking ahead to twelve months or two years down the road, Watson had this to say: Tropical Smoothie Cafe is in an incredible growth phase. CALIFORNIA DISCLAIMER: THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. Our relationships are founded on trust and respect for the unique talents of our teams, franchisees, and vendors alike. It hopes to keep all its new customers. And was one in place already? We gathered that feedback and used it to set goals and action plans for the company. Gosh, I would say the first things that come to mind for me are menu innovation and products. The average tropical smoothie franchise owner s salary/pay is estimated to be $126,000 per year, based on an average net revenue of $1,009,803 and a profit margin of 15%. It is for information purposes only. If you dont have a Tropical Smoothie Cafe near your home yet, just wait a bit. I may have a trick or two up my sleeve I do get to make some decisions occasionally around here. By Jonathan Maze on Apr. Since that time, he has led the company on its quest towards $1billion in sales by 2023. Related Posts. 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. 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. Gary Occhiogrosso: Tell us a little about your background before joining Tropical Smoothie? What was your plan for the first 90 days? Fast CasualAn interview with Tim Tang of HughesDecember 2, 2019. And so thats one of my favorites. Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. Always number one, what I am focused on, is unit-level economics for our Franchise Owners. The brands dedication to Inspire Better in all aspects of the business resonated with me from day one. 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. Were proud to report that as of today, weve donated more than 200,000 smoothies to these hometown heroes, and were not done yet! Sure. Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. 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. 5 Questions with Tropical Smoothie CEO Charles Watson. Were any of the franchisees reluctant to follow the system or embrace a new direction? Skip to main content Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 24, 2019. We add some spice to it. Tropical Smoothie Cafe's primary competitors include Del Taco, Jack in the Box, El Pollo Loco and 19 more. The smoothie-and-food chain has been a strong grower for years and turned on the jets so far in 2021. Were in 44 states, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe does not currently have an international presence. Our relationships are founded on trust and respect for the unique talents of our teams, franchisees, and vendors alike. It is for information purposes only. So were a brand thats going to be close to pushing a 3:1 investment ratio. Show all. And so the way that they impact the communities where they operate is a really big part. And was one in place already? It is, however, a "darn good chaser," he said and . menu boasts bold, flavorful smoothies with a healthy appeal, all made-to-order with quality ingredients. 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. Occhiogrosso: What is the mission and goal of the company over the next few years? I wont lie, it was a blow to the ego at first, but it taught me what being a role player means and how important every role is to the bigger picture. I love that. *$1,009,803 System Wide Average Net Revenues. Tropical Smoothie is a Georgia-based company that owns and operates a chain of restaurants serving smoothies, sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups. From there, we set up committees, reporting into our TFC, around the major parts of our business, and included more franchisees to provide feedback and work with us on further improving IT, Marketing, Design, and Construction, etc. Charles Watson, CEO Corporate Address . So again, I mentioned earlier menu innovation. 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. Prior to that, he was named Chief Development Officer in 2015 after serving as VP of Franchise Development since 2010. 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. 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. 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. So I was compelled to ask Mr. Watson his thoughts on the pandemic and the company's response. 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. 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. Mark serves on the board of the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. In my case, because I already had nearly a decade with Tropical Smoothie Cafe on the franchise development side, I had the unique advantage of personal relationships with our franchise community. 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. It was important to me that we have franchisees themselves share their feedback and align on system initiatives and goals. I write about the franchising, restaurant and food services industry. 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. Absolutely. This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. Occhiogrosso: What were the one or two unique challenges that you faced upon taking over as CEO? An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Camp Sunshine is a camp for kids and their families that have life-threatening illnesses. 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. This is a BETA experience. Watson has more than 10 years of experience with Tropical Smoothie Cafe and led our franchise development efforts since 2010. 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. 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. There are currently 913 franchised locations and 1 company-owned restaurant. Well, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, we've got 850 locations in 44 states. So whats your own personal favorite smoothie? A shift leaders hourly wage is an average of $11. Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. Michael brings 20 years of foundational IT skills and core functions of digital knowledge critical to shaping our journey to reach guests via innovative technologies. 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200 Excludes non-traditional locations and Restaurants that were not open for at least 357 days in 2021. Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. 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. A veteran hospitality professional . 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." In her role as Chief Development Officer, Cheryl drives the brands franchise development sales, real estate and design and construction. 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. That ultimately is our vision for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. This process only helps our individual franchisees and their bottom line, respectively.". And it has been a fantastic partnership because we can see the benefit of the dollars that were putting in. It is for information purposes only. We want to be an escape for our consumers in this hectic world we live, and an incredible business model for our franchise partners It's an exciting time to be a fast-casual concept within this segment, specifically as the market size of the juice and smoothie bars industry is expected to increase by 2.3% in 2020, reaching nearly $3 billion in revenue across the globe. I try to pass along that spirit and advice to others. F-9894), New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson admits that his brand isn't always at the leading edge when it comes to technology innovation. His goal is to achieve $1 billion in sales and 1,500+ cafes by 2023. . 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. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC . 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. 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.. 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. 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. Really trying to understand how to see the world through a different stakeholders' eyes is something I still work on.". Glad Tidings: Are Seasonal Franchises A Good Investment? 770-580-2333 We set company-wide strategic imperatives around these issues immediately.". The offering is by prospectus only. Right next to that is our relationship with our Franchise Owners. I think they can be used throughout the day and utilized in guests diets. And so I think were right on pace. 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. And drive their economic engine. Unresolved: Release in which this issue/RFE will be addressed. 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.". 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. "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is in a perfect position for the future. When Charles Watson became the new Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO in 2019, the company claimed that it could be looking at $1 billion in sales in the next five years. This information is not intended as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. Knowing that those essential workers are not only in the healthcare fields, weve also extended our giving to grocery store, warehouse and post office employees.