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.". Since that time, he has led the company on its quest towards $1billion in sales by 2023. 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. So I was compelled to ask Mr. Watson his thoughts on the pandemic and the company's response. And so I think were right on pace. . We have very dedicated franchisees that just go out there and drive the business every day. I have a little bit sweeter palate. CEO Charles Watson, who took the reins in 2019, said Tropical Smoothie's goal was to eclipse 1,000 restaurants by 2021 and 1,500 locations with AUVs of $1 million in the next five years. Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. I love that. We have three tenets in how we serve our Franchise Owners. 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. And they want what they want when they want it, and thats usually right now. Gosh, I would say the first things that come to mind for me are menu innovation and products. Passion and brand vision continue to guide the way. On April 16 we met our goal of 100,000 smoothies, but our franchisees havent stopped there, and the new challenge is to donate a total of one million smoothies by the end of May. Our company sells about 200 franchises, opens over 120 cafes a year, and has more than 500 locations in the pipeline. John Joseph Dallier, 61, passed away suddenly at home after severe health complications. Whats your favorite cuisine outside of Tropical Smoothie? 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. An Interview With Tropical Smoothie Cafe's CEO, Charles Watson - Forbes See where were looking to grow to meet the incredible demand. Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe was a recent attendee at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Austin, Texas. 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. I was originally a quarterback in high school and had my heart set on the same position for college. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Similar Companies - SmoothieProClub.com And theyre in their communities. As reopening guidelines are being determined, we plan to move forward with an abundance of caution. It posted its ninth consecutive year of positive same-store sales, with 2020 same-stores up 7.5%. And then number two, I would say a franchisee base that is second to none. So were a brand thats going to be close to pushing a 3:1 investment ratio. Charles Watson has been the CEO since . For me, my entrepreneurial passion really came from my parents. Share Tweet Share Pin. Pete Ward advises Tropical Smoothie Cafe on all legal and business matters, including franchising, real estate, labor and employment, litigation, intellectual property, licensing, and other commercial matters. 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. Were any of the franchisees reluctant to follow the system or embrace a new direction? Then we determined two focus areas, giving back to the community and prioritizing support for our franchisees. 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 . "Like I said, I was very fortunate to have had already developed relationships with our franchise community prior to becoming CEO. Again, the franchising, especially in Tropical Smoothie, it is a local business. Prior to that, he was named Chief Development Officer in 2015 after serving as VP of Franchise Development since 2010. which of the following is not characteristic of groupthink SPEED F-9894), New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Celebrates Milestone Opening of 1,100th Location There is no assurance that you will do as well. 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. Today's post focus' on that topic in an interview with Charles Watson, the CEO of Tropical Smoothie Caf. 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 am overjoyed to have the opportunity to lead such an incredible brand that has truly become a part of my DNA over many years, said Watson. CALIFORNIA DISCLAIMER: THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. With the fast-casual spot gaining more recognition every year, there's a good chance that you won't be seeing your favorite Tropical Smoothie Cafe going anywhere anytime soon . Watson: "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual cafe concept inspiring healthier lifestyles with more than 850 locations in 44 states. Jan 2010 - Nov 20155 years 11 months. 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. This is a BETA experience. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Watson:"I wanted to further instill a franchisee-first mentality. Richard has served in a franchise operations capacity for more than 20 years with brands such as TCBY, Carvel, and Moes Southwest Grill. Occhiogrosso: How do you see the company moving forward? 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. 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. 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. 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 this role, he is responsible for the brand's strategic vision and overall franchise performance. 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. New York State Disclaimer: This advertisement is not an offering. F-9894), New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. He is directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises. I think they can be used throughout the day and utilized in guests diets. In response to a question about the culture of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Watson elaborated: The mission of Tropical Smoothie Cafe is to inspire a healthier lifestyle. By year-end 2018 we opened 110 cafes and signed 191 new franchise agreements. It was not possible for me to get involved in every project so I had to learn to let go and delegate. CALIFORNIA DISCLAIMER: THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. The reality is the Left Coast, the West coast, Oregon, California, and Washington. 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. A veteran hospitality professional . We set company-wide strategic imperatives around these issues immediately.". We strive to continue to harness these relationships in this way and feel that this approach will continue to fuel our success. Then we determined two focus areas, giving back to the community and prioritizing support for our franchisees. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Excludes non-traditional locations and Restaurants that were not open for at least 357 days in 2021. You may opt-out by. Your results may differ. So weve been able to do that. 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 since I like it, and since we love Camp Sunshine, we may see that this fall. This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. The initial investment ranges from $246,500 to $580,500. 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.". Here's how CEO Charles Watson did it. Nobody knew what was going to happen. Mr. Watson was appointed the CEO position of. At the start of his career, Michaels ambitious spirit led him to develop a point of sale system, Hot Sauce. Atlanta, GA. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Next year marks 25 years since the brands founding. 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. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. The smoothie-and-food chain has been a strong grower for years and turned on the jets so far in 2021. What are some of your interests outside of work? 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. Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson admits that his brand isn't always at the leading edge when it comes to technology innovation. Charles Watson | International Franchise Association - IFA 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. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Excludes non-traditional locations and Restaurants that were not open for at least 357 days in 2021. Charles is directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises during his tenure. Watson has been with Tropical Smoothie Cafe for many years now, so he has seen the growth up close. 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. 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. As a restaurant executive, hospitality should be in your blood. The success of our brand is about the talent and drive of our talented executives and Support Center team. Show them that we care. Cheryl Fletcher joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in July of 2017. He has been the Chief Development Officer since 2015 and directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises during his tenure. Mark Montini joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe as Chief Marketing Officer in October 2019. 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. Challenge the Pros: Leveraging To Meet Development Goals Other common Tropical Smoothie Cafe email . 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.". Really trying to understand how to see the world through a different stakeholders' eyes is something I still work on.". 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. Thats our limited-time offer. Charles Watson email address & phone number | Tropical Smoothie Cafe Tropical Smoothie Cafe announces Charles Watson as the new Chief Executive Officer. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. In these roles, Charles was responsible for all development of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe brand. 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. Gary Occhiogrosso: Tell us a little about your background before joining Tropical Smoothie? 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. The way [Tropical Smoothie Cafe works in markets], we work the suburbs and the outskirts, and move our way into cities. Were finding ourselves in an environment where people want speed. Watch the complete interview here or start your journey in becoming a Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Owner by completing our form. It was not possible for me to get involved in every project so I had to learn to let go and delegate. Tropical Smoothie Franchise Cost & Profit for 2023 Explained - Vetted Biz Your results may differ. 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. And by the way, thats one way Tropical Smoothie Cafe has grown so big so fast the food. We can go to camp, we can be counselors. Our annual tactics are focused around delivering those results.". What is the all-time best-selling smoothie the chain offers? New York State Disclaimer: This advertisement is not an offering. Ill start with the fact that I believe that convenience is king. Charles Watson, CEO Corporate Address . I was 11 years old when I got my first job washing dishes at my fathers restaurant. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Email Format | tropicalsmoothie.com Emails When our franchisees are successful, the brand is successful. But its the freshness. There is no assurance that you will do as well. I would say Im absolutely not opposed to being in all 50 states. There is no assurance that you will do as well. So well get to 50, but Im not focused on about five or six of them right now. He is directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises. Total revenues were $58 million while expenses were only $41 million, indicating a healthy profit margin of around 30%. 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. Occhiogrosso: What challenges, if any, did you face in getting "buy-in" from the existing franchise community once you became CEO? Tropical Smoothie Cafe Continues Aggressive Expansion In Texas In todays restaurant industry, consumers are always looking for the next trendy item or the next emerging concept. And that really got us down this road of: What is our purpose? Youre asking me to pick which kid I like the best. . Or the Hummus Veggie Wrap? Charles Watson CEO. 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. Its getting involved in the local community. 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%, . 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. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Names New CMO - PR Newswire This strategic expansion has reinforced its industry-leading position and set the stage for 2023 and beyond. 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. 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. 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 The Tropical Franchisee Council (TFC) was established in 2018 and has been invaluable for our growth. Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. So we dont have any specific development goals associated, i.e. The impact of technology on the restaurant business and how Tropical Smoothie Cafe is adapting to a changing landscape in hospitality. 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. Watson: "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual cafe concept inspiring healthier lifestyles with more than 850 locations in 44 states. Southern-style, all the way! webtv.net; 5+ 404-210-XXXX; 770-670-XXXX; 770-821-XXXX; 770-580-XXXX; 770-821-XXXX; 678949XXXX; Paul Marsden Chief Financial Officer . 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. Because we want to help with your meal and your food, etc. 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 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.. Mark serves on the board of the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. Each year, franchisees complete the Franchise Business Review to essentially grade us here at the Support Center on how we're serving them. 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. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Posts Record-Breaking Q2 Results Richard has served in a franchise operations capacity for more than 20 years with brands such as TCBY, Carvel, and Moes Southwest Grill. Watson:"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. Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. We figured a good person to ask might be the CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Charles Watson. 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 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.. And was one in place already? Its tough. 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. In this role, he is responsible for the brand's strategic vision and overall franchise performance. A presentation for a board is focused on very different things than a franchisee roadshow. Atlanta, GA ( RestaurantNews.com ) Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a leading national fast-casual cafe franchise known for both its better-for-you smoothies and food with a tropical twist, continues its . And I dont think enough people know that you can go off script to substitute or to take out, etc. But the Mango Berry Cosmo has overtaken it. Start to Finish: What Inspires Execs | September 14, 2022 | QSR Staff. Passion is key in everything. And now is the right time to buy." . What is something you wish more people knew about the chain and its products? 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. Our relationships are founded on trust and respect for the unique talents of our teams, franchisees, and vendors alike. A presentation for a board is focused on very different things than a franchisee roadshow. Since that time, he has led the company on its quest towards $1billion in sales by 2023. Tropical Smoothie Caf is a Georgia LLC organized on June 25, 2012. Now were really taking the lead from our franchisees and building out DMAs organically from outside them. NET WORTH * LIQUID CAPITAL/CASH AVAILABLE FOR INVESTMENT * *All fields required. And we actually drove our comparative sales versus 2019 by 7.5%. The offering is by prospectus only. The offering is by prospectus only. Those franchisees are serving our guests on the front lines I can't run this business without their candid feedback.". Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson Tells Us Everything - Mashed
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