I may have been, in fact, the person responsible for awarding them a franchise! Prior to being named CEO in 2018, Charles served as the chief development officer for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota (File No. Prior to that, he was named Chief Development Officer in 2015 after serving as VP of Franchise Development since 2010. Charles Watson is Chief Executive Officer at Tropical Smoothie Cafe Corp. See Charles Watson's compensation, career history, education, & memberships. And now is the right time to buy." . As a 35 year veteran of the restaurant and franchise industry, I have always been fascinated by the challenges, risks, rewards, and day to day "work" a CEO faces when first taking the helm of an ongoing franchise organization. The company's goal is to . 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. Charles Watson serves as CEO for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. "As a first time CEO, learning to view the business from a thinking vs. a doing mentality was a challenge I faced. A shift leaders hourly wage is an average of $11. And the digital guest experience is another way for our customers to use us. So were a brand thats going to be close to pushing a 3:1 investment ratio. And was one in place already? Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. Watson:"I wanted to further instill a franchisee-first mentality. 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. Without our franchisees, committees, and council, I simply could not do this job. Charles is a graduate of The Hotel School at Cornell University and also holds a Masters of Business Administration from The Terry School of Business at The University of Georgia. 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. Mark Montini joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe as Chief Marketing Officer in October 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. Charles Watson CEO. I write about the franchising, restaurant and food services industry. That ultimately is our vision for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. In her role as Chief Development Officer, Cheryl drives the brands franchise development sales, real estate and design and construction. 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. "Relationships Rule" is one of our core values, and because of that, people are at the heart of our company. Were working on it. In her role as Chief Development Officer, Cheryl drives the brands franchise development sales, real estate and design and construction. Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. 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. Get Verified Emails for 1,980 Tropical Smoothie Cafe Employees. Please give our readers the "Elevator Pitch" for Tropical Smoothie Cafe? Watson:"As a first time CEO, learning to view the business from a thinking vs. a doing mentality was a challenge I faced. Without our franchisees, committees, and council, I simply could not do this job. Occhiogrosso: What was the condition of the company before you were named CEO? Charles Watson has been the CEO since . Since that time, he has led the company on its quest towards $1billion in sales by 2023. So well get to 50, but Im not focused on about five or six of them right now. The initial investment ranges from $246,500 to $580,500. We have three tenets in how we serve our Franchise Owners. I would say that understanding the viewpoints and drivers of the different stakeholders I was serving was important. Were proud to report that as of today, weve donated more than 200,000 smoothies to these hometown heroes, and were not done yet! A veteran franchise professional, Charles has worked for several hospitality-related companies including Intercontinental Hotels Group and US Franchise Systems. Its a fantastic organization that weve enjoyed immensely being part of. 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. 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?" TropicalSmoothie.com. The success of our brand is about the talent and drive of our talented executives and Support Center team. A presentation for a board is focused on very different things than a franchisee roadshow. So theres a lot of involvement. 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. 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. Management can grow a company without having to invest too much money, and . 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. So since I like it, and since we love Camp Sunshine, we may see that this fall. Our company sells about 200 franchises, opens over 120 cafes a year, and has more than 500 locations in the pipeline. Interested candidates should have business experience, along with a minimum net worth of $350,000 which includes $125,000 in liquid assets. TropicalSmoothie.com. 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200 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.. There are currently 913 franchised locations and 1 company-owned restaurant. 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. 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. Were any of the franchisees reluctant to follow the system or embrace a new direction? And so were going to really get to focus there. But the Mango Berry Cosmo has overtaken it. 770-821-1928, and a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise development leader will reach out to you with more information. 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 think the biggest shift will take place for those restaurants that can't be open right now. Those franchisees are serving our guests on the front lines I can't run this business without their candid feedback.". Any plans for celebrations and promotions around the quarter-century mark? It is for information purposes only. Tropical Smoothie Cafe. 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. What was your plan for the first 90 days? TropicalSmoothie.com. Cheryl Fletcher joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in July of 2017. "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. What is the mission and goal of the company over the next few years? Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. 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. Unresolved: Release in which this issue/RFE will be addressed. 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. 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. Jan 2010 - Nov 20155 years 11 months. Turns out, theres a lot to know about Tropical Smoothie Cafe. 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. Franchising offers multiple benefits to a business as a whole. Watson will lead us through our next phase of strategic growth. Total revenues were $58 million while expenses were only $41 million, indicating a healthy profit margin of around 30%. This process only helps our individual franchisees and their bottom line, respectively.". Those interested in becoming a franchisee should have $125,000 in liquid assets and a minimum net worth of $350,000. Fast CasualAn interview with Tim Tang of HughesDecember 2, 2019. I learned through watching them success shouldnt be measured in hours worked, but rather in getting the job done right. Cheryl Fletcher joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in July of 2017. . At the start of his career, Michaels ambitious spirit led him to develop a point of sale system, Hot Sauce. Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, said, "We were humbled by the incredible response to the 200,000 smoothies our franchisees donated to frontline heroes nationwide. Passion is key in everything. So we managed to get through that. CALIFORNIA DISCLAIMER: THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. Start Now! This information is not intended as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. 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. Costs can vary by location and the average cost is $370,000. 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. 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. 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. If its not run-of-the-mill bland food, we want to bring a little bit of a culinary experience to quick casual, and still provide convenience, and value, and all those kinds of things. Mr. Watson was appointed the CEO position of. Atlanta, GA. 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. So that was helpful! 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." Excludes non-traditional locations and Restaurants that were not open for at least 357 days in 2021. 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. January 21, 2010 // Franchising.com // Destin, Fla. - Tropical Smoothie Caf, a tropical-themed smoothie and sandwich chain with more than 285 locations, announced today that Charles Watson has . Nov 10, 2021, 09:36 ET. Jul. I think they can be used throughout the day and utilized in guests diets. CLOSE. At the start of his career, Michaels ambitious spirit led him to develop a point of sale system, Hot Sauce. Thats our limited-time offer. 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 . Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe was a recent attendee at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Austin, Texas. So I was compelled to ask Mr. Watson his thoughts on the pandemic and the company's response. Passion and brand vision continue to guide the way. This information is not intended as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. I started working at a young age and because of my early drive, have been involved in a variety of industries and performed many different jobs. As their franchise website states: "Tropical Smoothie Cafes menu boasts bold, flavorful smoothies with a healthy appeal, all made-to-order with quality ingredients. 770-580-2333 . 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. wills o' nats last of the summer wine. Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. . When our franchisees are successful, the brand is successful. This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. ATLANTA, Nov. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the fast-growing national franchise brand known for its better-for-you smoothies and food with a tropical . 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. 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 . What are the brands plans for expansion and are you eyeing an international presence? charles watson tropical smoothie cafe. 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. Always number one, what I am focused on, is unit-level economics for our Franchise Owners. Occhiogrosso:What was your plan for the first 90 days? The offering is by prospectus only. 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. Well see, I may have to bring that one back. But its the freshness. John Joseph Dallier, 61, passed away suddenly at home after severe health complications. We had a high level of mutual trust and respect for each other that existed before I assumed the role of CEO. 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. We did a fantastic job of that during the pandemic, we gave away a quarter million smoothies to healthcare workers and first-responders. . See where were looking to grow to meet the incredible demand. Mark Montini joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe as Chief Marketing Officer in October 2019. "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual cafe concept inspiring healthier lifestyles with more than 850 locations in 44 states. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. The Tropical Franchisee Council (TFC) was established in 2018 and has been invaluable for our growth. *$1,009,803 System Wide Average Net Revenues. Atlanta, GA 30338 CALIFORNIA DISCLAIMER: THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. Those franchisees are serving our guests on the front lines I can't run this business without their candid feedback.". Charles Watson serves as CEO for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Mark Montini joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe as Chief Marketing Officer in October 2019. 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%. Watson: "Like I said, I was very fortunate to have had already developed relationships with our franchise community prior to becoming CEO. He is directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises. 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. 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. Michael Lapid joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in October of 2019 to the role of Chief Information and Digital Officer. 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. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota (File No. Southern-style, all the way! It is, however, still a hefty financial investment. He has been the Chief Development Officer since 2015 and directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises during his tenure. Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. How Much Do You Make Owning A Tropical Smoothie. Occhiogrosso: During the current COVID-19 crisis, what steps have you taken to ensure that Tropical Smoothie Cafe supports the local community? Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200, Atlanta, GA 30338. I and/or my business partner(s) have the following financials, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC Beyond that, we need to provide training. Atlanta, GA 30338 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. So I think a great franchisee base, and products and innovation that people want. 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! No credit card required. We can make you any smoothie that you like with our whole ingredients and you can mix and match as you see fit. Although COVID-19 has directly impacted our business, some days being down more than 50 percent, we consider ourselves lucky to have a business model that allowed us to easily transition to grab-and-go, curbside, and delivery only. 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. Find restaurant equipment and suppliers. Mark Montini joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe as Chief Marketing Officer in October 2019. Tropical Smoothie Cafe announces Charles Watson as the new Chief Executive Officer. 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. Our franchisees and their teams are the faces community members see daily, and the dedication from them is truly whats given us so much success in recent years. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Today's post focus' on that topic in an interview with Charles Watson, the CEO of Tropical Smoothie Caf. What are some of your interests outside of work? Richard has served in a franchise operations capacity for more than 20 years with brands such as TCBY, Carvel, and Moes Southwest Grill. 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. I was originally a quarterback in high school and had my heart set on the same position for college. Ivebeen with Tropical Smoothie since 2010 and was [first] our vice president of franchise development, he told Mashed. By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 24, 2019. Your results may differ. . By year-end 2018 we opened 110 cafes and signed 191 new franchise agreements. My mentality and passion for what I do has remained consistent at every stage of my career, carrying over to when I first started with Tropical Smoothie Cafe in 2010, as the brands first vice president of franchise development. In July 2018, I was named interim CEO, and then permanent in December 2018.". Thats why food and smoothie innovation is so important, its to keep things fresh and to make sure that our guests are getting exciting things to be able to see and try. Right now Im on a Mango Berry Cosmo kick. Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, said, "It's inspiring to be part of the growth that Tropical Smoothie Cafe has . In my experience, making franchisee success and profitability the priority is the key to the longevity of any franchised brand. Well, I think the one thing is that smoothies are anytime, theyre not just a breakfast day part. 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. We must be able to service the guests who want to be on demand.. Absolutely. What is the all-time best-selling smoothie the chain offers? We're a healthier, quick . So another boldly flavored product, thats been a number one seller for gosh, probably five, six years at this point. 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. And so the way that they impact the communities where they operate is a really big part. Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson Tells Us Everything About The Franchise - Exclusive Interview. In a franchise system, without broad franchisee buy-in, you cannot move as efficiently and effectively as is required in today's business environment.". 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. This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. 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. 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200 Paul Marsden oversees development and execution of financial strategies to support the companys business plans. Well, we just talked about Camp Sunshine and we have a smoothie called the Sunshine Smoothie that is orange and mango based. Day-to-day I would say my favorite is the Avocolada Smoothie. 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. Weve done different promotions and summertime promotions to raise dollars for Camp Sunshine and have one more coming up this fall for them. 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. 5 free lookups per month. New York State Disclaimer: This advertisement is not an offering. Weve been in partnership with them for over 10 years now. 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. 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. 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. Prior to being named CEO in 2018, Charles served as the chief development officer for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. 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. Was it a pleasant surprise, expected, or was it a bit of both? 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. The most common Tropical Smoothie Cafe email format is [first_initial] [last] (ex. It was important to me that we have franchisees themselves share their feedback and align on system initiatives and goals. 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. If you dont have a good product, it doesnt matter. We had a high level of mutual trust and respect for each other that existed before I assumed the role of CEO. And it has been a fantastic partnership because we can see the benefit of the dollars that were putting in. So its the made-to-order. 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. Theyre not just a snack day part, etc. "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. "Like I said, I was very fortunate to have had already developed relationships with our franchise community prior to becoming CEO. 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. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Areas we wanted to attack immediately with our rapid growth were direct franchisee support as well as technology support and menu innovation. Richard has served in a franchise operations capacity for more than 20 years with brands such as TCBY, Carvel, and Moes Southwest Grill. Paul Marsden oversees development and execution of financial strategies to support the companys business plans. Its been quite the adventure since becoming the CEO in 2018, and Ive enjoyed every twist and turn in the road. I try to pass along that spirit and advice to others. 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. 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.