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. "I wanted to further instill a franchisee-first mentality. 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. 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. The role employees play in setting the customer experience in the restaurant. Areas we wanted to attack immediately with our rapid growth were direct franchisee support as well as technology support and menu innovation. 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. NJ. An Interview With Tropical Smoothie Cafe's CEO, Charles Watson - Forbes CEO Charles Watson, . With extensive experience in the food service industry, Paul comes to Tropical Smoothie Cafe from Popeyes, where he served as the Chief Accounting Officer and spent nearly two decades working in the brands financial and accounting departments. 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. Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson admits that his brand isn't always at the leading edge when it comes to technology innovation. Each year, franchisees complete the Franchise Business Review to essentially grade us here at the Support Center on how we're serving them. Then we determined two focus areas, giving back to the community and prioritizing support for our franchisees. "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is in a perfect position for the future. 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. ", Charles Watson was named CEO in December 2018. Those interested in becoming a franchisee should have $125,000 in liquid assets and a minimum net worth of $350,000. In July 2018, I was named interim CEO, and then permanent in December 2018.". 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. And the digital guest experience is another way for our customers to use us. Tell us a bit about Camp Sunshine, about the partnership there, what you want people to know about it, and ways people can help support it. 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. A veteran franchise professional, Charles has worked for several hospitality-related companies including Intercontinental Hotels Group and US Franchise Systems. Passion and brand vision continue to guide the way. How Much Do You Make Owning A Tropical Smoothie. Both of my parents had the entrepreneur bug and they definitely passed that on to me. 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. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Achieves 11th Straight Year of Positive Same So well get to 50, but Im not focused on about five or six of them right now. What are the brands plans for expansion and are you eyeing an international presence? Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200, Atlanta, GA 30338. Our relationships are founded on trust and respect for the unique talents of our teams, franchisees, and vendors alike. Franchising offers multiple benefits to a business as a whole. And thats like: Whos the bad kid in the family! Weve got everything right from Island Green Detox, with zero sugar, and ginger, and everything. A Tropical Smoothie Caf is a better-for-you, fast-casual restaurant business offering freshly prepared food and smoothies served in a fun, friendly environment. 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. Show them that we care. 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. As a restaurant executive, hospitality should be in your blood. And so I think thats only going to fuel our continued growth going forward. 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 would say Im absolutely not opposed to being in all 50 states. 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. Every day is a day to celebrate at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, with all the success were having. In this role, he is responsible for the brand's strategic vision and overall franchise performance. John Joseph Dallier, 61, passed away suddenly at home after severe health complications. 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. Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. Charles Watson - Journalism Advisory Board Member - LinkedIn I may have been, in fact, the person responsible for awarding them a franchise! I would say that understanding the viewpoints and drivers of the different stakeholders I was serving was important. 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. Watson: Our franchisees are the heart of our brand, so we wanted to make sure we were doing everything we could to help them stay afloat through the crisis. In a franchise system, without broad franchisee buy-in, you cannot move as efficiently and effectively as is required in today's business environment.". Tropical Smoothie Prioritizes Franchisees to Inspire Growth But the Mango Berry Cosmo has overtaken it. By year-end 2018 we opened 110 cafes and signed 191 new franchise agreements. If you dont have a Tropical Smoothie Cafe near your home yet, just wait a bit. Youre asking me to pick which kid I like the best. 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. 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. 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. Skip to main content Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. Outside of smoothies, whats the top-selling non-smoothie product? 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. And it has also driven franchise development and growth, so more units coming out. 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. 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. We figured a good person to ask might be the CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Charles Watson. 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. city of san diego street classification map; blackrock russell 2000 index fund g1; 3610 atlantic ave, long beach, ca 90807; eternal water heater lawsuit; A series of fortunate events July 20, 2020. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the leading national fast-casual cafe concept known for both its better-for-you smoothies and food with a tropical twist, announces the appointment of Charles Watson as the new Chief Executive Officer. And those are the most important things that I do.. When our franchisees are successful, the brand is successful. Excludes non-traditional locations and Restaurants that were not open for at least 357 days in 2021. Day-to-day I would say my favorite is the Avocolada Smoothie. 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%. Those franchisees are serving our guests on the front lines I can't run this business without their candid feedback.". 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. Mark serves on the board of the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. The reality is the Left Coast, the West coast, Oregon, California, and Washington. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Posts Record-Breaking Q2 Results I write about the franchising, restaurant and food services industry. See where were looking to grow to meet the incredible demand. Now were really taking the lead from our franchisees and building out DMAs organically from outside them. Charles Watson serves as CEO for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. 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. With extensive experience in the food service industry, Paul comes to Tropical Smoothie Cafe from Popeyes, where he served as the Chief Accounting Officer and spent nearly two decades working in the brands financial and accounting departments. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Weve raised almost $7.5 million for them. In her role as Chief Development Officer, Cheryl drives the brands franchise development sales, real estate and design and construction. . We find that real fruits, veggies, and juices just taste better.". Its tough. I think the biggest shift will take place for those restaurants that can't be open right now. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Opens 35 New Locations in Third Quarter Tell us a little about your background before joining Tropical Smoothie? So thats always up there. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. When our franchisees are successful, the brand is successful. Because we want to help with your meal and your food, etc. We set company-wide strategic imperatives around these issues immediately.". "Our franchisees are the heart of our brand, so we wanted to make sure we were doing everything we could to help them stay afloat through the crisis. . 185 Industrial Pkwy, Site H. Branchburg. Were 100% focused on domestic right now. 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.". Atlanta, GA. Occhiogrosso: What are some of the additional support initiatives you put in place for your franchise community during the pandemic? The company's goal is to . What is behind the companys rapid growth and impressive success (which, according to a company spokesperson, sawyear-to-date same-store-sales increase by 38% in recent quarters)? And is there a smoothie that you wish to see added to the menu in the future? Charles Watson, CFE - Chief Executive Officer - Tropical Smoothie Cafe If you dont have a good product, it doesnt matter. Unresolved: Release in which this issue/RFE will be addressed. 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. This information is not intended as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. Watson:"When COVID-19 struck the restaurant landscape in mid-March, we closed all dining rooms and shifted our focus to drive-thru, curbside pickup, and delivery where available. And its the high quality food. Prior to being named CEO in 2018, Charles served as the chief development officer for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Interested candidates should have business experience, along with a minimum net worth of $350,000 which includes $125,000 in liquid assets. There is no assurance that you will do as well. And I dont think enough people know that you can go off script to substitute or to take out, etc. It is for information purposes only. TropicalSmoothie.com. This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. What is something you wish more people knew about the chain and its products? I and/or my business partner(s) have the following financials, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. F-9894), New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. So more knowledge about our great food offerings is something that I would change a little bit. Building off this momentum, in 2019, we celebrated the openings of our 750th and 800th locations, but taking over during such a monumental time for our brand certainly brought opportunities to improve. Cheryl Fletcher joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in July of 2017. Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson has been with the company for more than 10 years and is passionate about supporting the franchise systems sustainable growth, the success of its franchisees, and the execution of the brands Inspire Better mission. 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.