Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchises operate fast-casual restaurants that offer premium, handcrafted smoothies made with select fresh fruits and vegetables using proprietary recipes, along with specialty sandwiches, flatbreads, wraps, salads, and bowls. The business model centers on franchising these restaurants to qualified operators who adhere to the Tropical Smoothie Cafe System Standards, including mandatory design and operational specifications, with support for sales building, marketing, delivery, and catering. The target market includes consumers of all ages, both male and female, seeking better-for-you, healthier food and beverage options in a fun, friendly environment.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
6% royalty + 5% national marketing fee + $402/mo technology fees (BOH, online ordering, firewall, loyalty platform, P&L software)
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: Data for 1,151 franchised restaurants open for at least one full year as of December 31, 2023, and reported sufficient financial performance information.
* All revenue figures refer to 'Net Revenues' as defined in Item 19, which represents gross revenue less specific exclusions and discounts, not net income or profit after all expenses. The 'average_gross_revenue' and 'median_gross_revenue' were taken directly from the 'Total' column for 2023. 'revenue_top_quartile' was taken from the 'Avg. Net Revenues' for the 'Top 25%' category in 2023. 'revenue_bottom_quartile' was taken from the 'Avg. Net Revenues' for the 'Bottom 25%' category in 2023. No expense or profit data was provided in the document to calculate net income, net profit, EBITDA, or estimated profit ranges.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How Tropical Smoothie Cafe Compares to Other Fast Casual Franchises
Key Insights
- #1 largest franchise system in Fast Casual
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Fast Casual
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Current | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) | $379K - $1.4M | $20K | 6.0% | 1,248 |
| Zaxby's | $1.4M - $3.8M | $35K | 6.0% | 826 |
| Qdoba | $548K - $1.3M | $40K | 5.0% | 652 |
| CHICK-FIL-A License Program | $586K - $3.3M | N/A | 10.0% | 412 |
Fast Casual Average 107 franchises | $532K - $1.2M | $39K | 5.6% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 107 Fast Casual franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2023)
Outlets by state across the United States
+36 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisees (2016 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
Unlock Franchisee Contact Database
2,815 franchisee contacts on file. Upgrade to see names, locations, phone numbers, and matched SBA loan data.
Upgrade to Pro$199/year · Cancel anytime
Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise?
The total initial investment to open a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise ranges from $300,000 to $720,500. This includes a franchise fee of $35,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise is $979,491. The median revenue is $944,699.
How many Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has 1,371 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2012.
Can you get an SBA loan for a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchises. Historical data shows 347 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisees, with an average loan amount of $436,269. The historical default rate is 0.6%.
Is Tropical Smoothie Cafe a good franchise to buy?
Tropical Smoothie Cafe shows several positive indicators: established brand with 1,371+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in Tropical Smoothie Cafe?
Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if Tropical Smoothie Cafe is the right fit for you.
Talk to an Advisor