Charles Watson serves as CEO for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. However, I ended up a punter at Cornell. Outside of smoothies, whats the top-selling non-smoothie product? Charles Watson, CEO, Tropical Smoothie Cafe The offering is by prospectus only. But we want to also have a higher calling of what were doing to be great individuals and great corporate citizens. 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. "I'm a huge advocate for franchise advisory councils, specifically when nearly 60% of all franchise agreements at Tropical Smoothie Cafe come from existing franchisees. This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. 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. *$1,009,803 System Wide Average Net Revenues. Chief Development Officer since 2016, after serving as VP of Franchise Development since 2010. Call now and speak to a franchise development leader. Not the Charles Watson you were looking for? Its in Casco, Maine, Camp Sunshine. Our relationships are founded on trust and respect for the unique talents of our teams, franchisees, and vendors alike. Nov 10, 2021, 09:36 ET. CHARLES WATSON: Sure, absolutely. Tropical Smoothie Franchise Cost & Profit for 2023 Explained - Vetted Biz The offerings have evolved over the years to include a menu of breakfast and lunch items beyond smoothies. Charles is directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises during his tenure. We set company-wide strategic imperatives around these issues immediately.". Occhiogrosso: How do you see the company moving forward? 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. Here are some highlights of their conversation about his franchise business. The chain plans on opening an astonishing 200 locations this year alone, which will mean it's opening its 1000th restaurant. As CEO, Watsons goal is to achieve $1 billion in sales and more than 1,500 cafes by 2023. Richard has served in a franchise operations capacity for more than 20 years with brands such as TCBY, Carvel, and Moes Southwest Grill. But I would tell you that what has ultimately driven this brand is our franchisees and it is our culture, right? 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. And then number two, I would say a franchisee base that is second to none. "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 2018, when I was named CEO, we had more than 720 locations open nationwide. Charles Watson - Restaurant Leadership Conference 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. 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. While we had always involved franchisees, I felt it needed to be formalized and more visible to our franchise system. 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 Cafe CEO, Charles Watson, talks franchising There is no assurance that you will do as well. 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. wills o' nats last of the summer wine. 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200 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. Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson on franchisee success and 770-580-2333 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." 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. 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?" Were working on it. "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. 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. Paul Marsden oversees development and execution of financial strategies to support the companys business plans. Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200, Atlanta, GA 30338. Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. We decreased royalties and deployed hyper-local marketing strategies to drive business within a 1to 2-mile radius of cafes. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Continues Aggressive Expansion In Texas Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Richard has served in a franchise operations capacity for more than 20 years with brands such as TCBY, Carvel, and Moes Southwest Grill. Related Posts. What were the one or two unique challenges that you faced upon taking over as CEO? CALIFORNIA DISCLAIMER: THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. 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. He has been instrumental in developing the culture of Tropical Smoothie Cafe and earning the trust of our franchisees. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Review - Average, Median, Highest, and charles town entries 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. 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, 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. We like to call it chopping wood, meaning you dont decide when quitting time is; you simply get the work done. The chain plans on opening an astonishing 200 locations this year alone, which will mean its opening its 1000threstaurant. Gary Occhiogrosso: Tell us a little about your background before joining Tropical Smoothie? 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. Without our franchisees, committees, and council, I simply could not do this job. 770-580-2333 Cheryl Fletcher joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in July of 2017. Complete the form or call 770-821-1928, and a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise development leader will reach out to you with more information. ", Charles Watson was named CEO in December 2018. In this role, he is responsible for the brand's strategic vision and overall franchise performance. Theyre not just a snack day part, etc. 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. Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. As you know, the restaurant industry has taken a huge hit. Occhiogrosso: What were the one or two unique challenges that you faced upon taking over as CEO? 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. Show them that we care. NET WORTH * LIQUID CAPITAL/CASH . 5 free lookups per month. 185 Industrial Pkwy, Site H. Branchburg. We gathered that feedback and used it to set goals and action plans for the company. Charles Watson | International Franchise Association - IFA Atlanta, GA 30338 This information is not intended as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. Occhiogrosso: What challenges, if any, did you face in getting "buy-in" from the existing franchise community once you became CEO? Both of my parents had the entrepreneur bug and they definitely passed that on to me. Right now we have a BLT quesadilla. 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. Excludes non-traditional locations and Restaurants that were not open for at least 357 days in 2021. 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. 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. F-9894), New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. 13, 2021, 08:36 AM. 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. 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. 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. 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. *$1,009,803 System Wide Average Net Revenues. 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. Yes, it has a brand name on it, but it is Bill and Sally Smith on the corner and theyre entrepreneurs. And now is the right time to buy." . I and/or my business partner(s) have the following financials, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC Were right, exactly where It was a little bit of a step back in 2020, but in 2021, our year-to-date comparative sales are [up] almost 30%. 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. Were now seeing a big acceleration in the business in 2021, much of that is attributable to our franchisees, really working hard to stand up digital channels. 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.". This information is not intended as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. 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. I learned through watching them success shouldnt be measured in hours worked, but rather in getting the job done right. The company's goal is to . A veteran franchise professional, Charles has worked for several hospitality-related companies including Intercontinental Hotels Group and US Franchise Systems. Its the high quality ingredients. And if you do that well, then your top-sellers, sometimes you beat them. 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. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC . TropicalSmoothie.com. Watson has been with Tropical Smoothie Cafe for many years now, so he has seen the growth up close. Tropical Smoothie Franchise For Sale - SmoothieProClub.com Tropical Smoothie Cafe has deals in place . 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. So more knowledge about our great food offerings is something that I would change a little bit. In a franchise system, without broad franchisee buy-in, you cannot move as efficiently and effectively as is required in today's business environment.". Cheryl Fletcher joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in July of 2017. Or the Hummus Veggie Wrap? Get Verified Emails for 1,980 Tropical Smoothie Cafe Employees. Charles Watson has been the CEO since . We must be able to service the guests who want to be on demand.. 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. There are currently 913 franchised locations and 1 company-owned restaurant. See where were looking to grow to meet the incredible demand. we dont want to go to Manhattan and open 30 locations. 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. One of the biggest expenses seen in the income statement is $12 million spent in . 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. 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. 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. What are the brands plans for expansion and are you eyeing an international presence? Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe was a recent attendee at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Austin, Texas. We have a jerk chicken quesadilla, we dont come out and just do a ham or turkey sandwich. 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. Passion and brand vision continue to guide the way. 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. In her role as Chief Development Officer, Cheryl drives the brands franchise development sales, real estate and design and construction. What sets your smoothies apart from smoothies from competitors? Then we determined two focus areas, giving back to the community and prioritizing support for our franchisees. 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. Meet Our New CEO Charles Watson - Tropical Smoothie Cafe LLC In her role as Chief Development Officer, Cheryl drives the brands franchise development sales, real estate and design and construction. Beyond just smoothies, we serve better-for-you . I would say that understanding the viewpoints and drivers of the different stakeholders I was serving was important. No credit card required. 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. We can go to camp, we can be counselors. 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 provide technology.. 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. Richard has served in a franchise operations capacity for more than 20 years with brands such as TCBY, Carvel, and Moes Southwest Grill. It's almost all you need to know about the results of Mr. Watsons work and commitment to the franchisees. The initial investment ranges from $246,500 to $580,500. 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. charles watson tropical smoothie net worth - shantisrl.com Paul Marsden oversees development and execution of financial strategies to support the companys business plans. This is a BETA experience. 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. 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. 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 . Occhiogrosso: During the current COVID-19 crisis, what steps have you taken to ensure that Tropical Smoothie Cafe supports the local community? Every day is a day to celebrate at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, with all the success were having. What was the condition of the company before you were named CEO? On the other hand, its hard to beat a plate of spaghetti. Well, we just talked about Camp Sunshine and we have a smoothie called the Sunshine Smoothie that is orange and mango based. And so the way that they impact the communities where they operate is a really big part. 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. Resolved: Release in which this issue/RFE has been resolved. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. 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. Complete the form or call. So since I like it, and since we love Camp Sunshine, we may see that this fall. 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. So well get to 50, but Im not focused on about five or six of them right now. 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. The impact of technology on the restaurant business and how Tropical Smoothie Cafe is adapting to a changing landscape in hospitality. Watson has worked for the brand for more than 10 years and has been its chief development officer since 2015. Sometimes youve just got to go with the taste. At the start of his career, Michaels ambitious spirit led him to develop a point of sale system, Hot Sauce. 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. It was not possible for me to get involved in every project so I had to learn to let go and delegate. In todays restaurant industry, consumers are always looking for the next trendy item or the next emerging concept. Jan 2010 - Nov 20155 years 11 months. The best smoothie in terms of sales actually going on right now is our Mango Berry Cosmo. I was born with a strong work ethic. 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 . How do you feel about franchise advisory councils? Weve done different promotions and summertime promotions to raise dollars for Camp Sunshine and have one more coming up this fall for them. 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. 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. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota (File No. Tropical Smoothie Cafe has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: startup . It is, however, a "darn good chaser," he said and . Charles Watson serves as CEO for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Tell us a little about your background before joining Tropical Smoothie? 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200 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. Because sure, the smoothies sell well and all, but did you know about the Chipotle Chicken Club flatbread sandwich? Did you foresee the level of growth the chain has experienced of late? Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. We had a high level of mutual trust and respect for each other that existed before I assumed the role of CEO. Well, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, we've got 850 locations in 44 states. Again, the franchising, especially in Tropical Smoothie, it is a local business. Tropical Smoothie Cafe's Profile, Revenue and Employees. 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. There is no assurance that you will do as well. 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. So I was compelled to ask Mr. Watson his thoughts on the pandemic and the company's response. 770-580-2333 charles watson tropical smoothie net worth The smiles we saw and stories we heard inspired us to think bigger and explore how we could do even more to support the communities we serve. 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 A presentation for a board is focused on very different things than a franchisee roadshow. Now were really taking the lead from our franchisees and building out DMAs organically from outside them. Tropical Smoothie Cafe announces Charles Watson as the new Chief Executive Officer. 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. 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.
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