We loved the idea so much we launched a nationwide campaign to donate 100,000 smoothies across the country and the response has been incredible. Our company sells about 200 franchises, opens over 120 cafes a year, and has more than 500 locations in the pipeline. Oh gosh. Skip to main content Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. Charles has the tenacity, vision and passion this brand needs to continue our upward trajectory and will ensure the success of our franchisees is at the center of every decision we make, said Scott Pressly, Chairman of the Board, Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Tropical Smoothie Cafe announces Charles Watson as the new Chief Executive Officer. 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. Charles Watson is Chief Executive Officer at Tropical Smoothie Cafe Corp. See Charles Watson's compensation, career history, education, & memberships. Then I was our chief development officer and Ive been our CEO for about three years now. And drive their economic engine. CALIFORNIA DISCLAIMER: THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. 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. So its the made-to-order. However, I ended up a punter at Cornell. 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. See where were looking to grow to meet the incredible demand. In conclusion, I believe the growth of Tropical Smoothie Cafe over the last two years demonstrates Mr. Watson's steady leadership and a clear understanding of building on the momentum that has made the brand a leader in its category. Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson has been with the company for more than 10 years and is passionate about . It posted its ninth consecutive year of positive same-store sales, with 2020 same-stores up 7.5%. "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. "I've been with Tropical Smoothie since 2010 and was [first] our vice president of franchise development," he told Mashed. By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 24, 2019. 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. Because 99% of Tropical Smoothie Cafe's system is franchisee-owned and operated, it was my goal to maintain consistency for them and move the company forward in the right direction, with a lot of reverence and respect for the past. CALIFORNIA DISCLAIMER: THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. 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 . We gathered that feedback and used it to set goals and action plans for the company. 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. And we actually drove our comparative sales versus 2019 by 7.5%. 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. Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. Watson:"We were in a good place! Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. TikTok user Fuhlex left her followers stunned after revealing the cost of the bagThe social media user, from LA, said she was 'too embarrassed to put it back'But people likened it to a 'potato sack' and begged her to return it to the store Complete the form or call 770-821-1928, and a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise development leader will reach out to you with more information. As a brand, we strive for excellence in service and creating a culture of hospitality for our business no matter which location you visit, and this year we're prioritizing them even further by enhancing pillars of our hospitality-centric culture and the technology we use to create convenience for our guests in order to reinforce our position as the leader in our segment. "Relationships Rule" is one of our core values, and because of that, people are at the heart of our company. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of franchise development, real estate, design and construction and franchise administration and helped grow the system from 265 open units to 725 open units. Excludes non-traditional locations and Restaurants that were not open for at least 357 days in 2021. Passion and brand vision continue to guide the way. Gary Occhiogrosso: Tell us a little about your background before joining Tropical Smoothie? "I wanted to further instill a franchisee-first mentality. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota (File No. I would say that understanding the viewpoints and drivers of the different stakeholders I was serving was important. In this role, he is responsible for the brand's strategic vision and overall franchise performance. Well, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, we've got 850 locations in 44 states. Your results may differ. Each year, franchisees complete the Franchise Business Review to essentially grade us here at the Support Center on how we're serving them. A presentation for a board is focused on very different things than a franchisee roadshow. 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 . 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. Every day is a day to celebrate at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, with all the success were having. We set company-wide strategic imperatives around these issues immediately.". In 2018, when I was named CEO, we had more than 720 locations open nationwide. 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. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. 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. 185 Industrial Pkwy, Site H. Branchburg. Well, I think the one thing is that smoothies are anytime, theyre not just a breakfast day part. That created a kind of blueprint that served as the foundation for me to take the reins and lead the company the way I felt was best. So I would say our Island Green Detox is not my go-to, but I understand that should be my go-to from a health perspective. We add some spice to it. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. Players MAY win multiple prizes in a. 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.". Beyond just smoothies, we serve better-for-you . Was it a pleasant surprise, expected, or was it a bit of both? Weve done different promotions and summertime promotions to raise dollars for Camp Sunshine and have one more coming up this fall for them. And its the high quality food. 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. 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. Costs can vary by location and the average cost is $370,000. Watson has been with Tropical Smoothie Cafe for many years now, so he has seen the growth up close. 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 Mark serves on the board of the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. So I was compelled to ask Mr. Watson his thoughts on the pandemic and the company's response. 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. Were any of the franchisees reluctant to follow the system or embrace a new direction? "Like I said, I was very fortunate to have had already developed relationships with our franchise community prior to becoming CEO. charles watson tropical smoothie cafe. Tropical Smoothie Cafe is rounding out yet another year of impressive growth. He was previously. And was one in place already? 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. This process only helps our individual franchisees and their bottom line, respectively.". So thats always up there. His goal is to achieve $1 billion in sales and 1,500+ cafes by 2023. . Nobody knew what was going to happen. Occhiogrosso: How is taking the reins of an existing company different than being part of a startup or a founder? And so were going to really get to focus there. For more information about owning a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise, complete our form! Were finding ourselves in an environment where people want speed. In her role as Chief Development Officer, Cheryl drives the brands franchise development sales, real estate and design and construction. 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.". 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. 5 Questions with Tropical Smoothie CEO Charles Watson. 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. I would say Im absolutely not opposed to being in all 50 states. 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 . See where were looking to grow to meet the incredible demand. Weve implemented various franchisee support initiatives, including decreased royalties by 50%, ongoing support with PPP loans and real estate deferrals and abatements, rolling out curbside delivery systemwide, deployed hyper-local marketing strategies to drive business within a 12-mile radius of cafes, among many others. The success of our brand is about the talent and drive of our talented executives and Support Center team. CEO Charles Watson, . If you don't have a Tropical Smoothie Cafe near your home yet, just wait a bit. final four 2022 euroleague tickets. Watson has worked for the brand for more than 10 years and has been its chief development officer since 2015. Why The IFA Convention Is A Cant-Miss Event For Anyone In Franchising, The Automated Dumpling Restaurant Franchise That Could Turn Quick Service Dining On Its Head. He is survived by his children Kayla (Jason), Kelsey (Billy), John (Stephanie), Kincaid (Cecilia), his siblings Orville Dallier (Angela), Sue Dorey (Tom), Donna Michael Lapid joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in October of 2019 to the role of Chief Information and Digital Officer. In my experience, making franchisee success and profitability the priority is the key to the longevity of any franchised brand. Mr. Watson was appointed the CEO position of. This process only helps our individual franchisees and their bottom line, respectively.". But its the freshness. We're a healthier, quick . Any plans for celebrations and promotions around the quarter-century mark? Sure. 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. I and/or my business partner(s) have the following financials, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC in December 2018. At the start of his career, Michaels ambitious spirit led him to develop a point of sale system, Hot Sauce. shin numbness after acl surgery; first friday phoenix vendor application; benton high school baseball roster; surprise message link for boyfriend A veteran hospitality professional . 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. And it has been a fantastic partnership because we can see the benefit of the dollars that were putting in. Ivebeen with Tropical Smoothie since 2010 and was [first] our vice president of franchise development, he told Mashed.