Tropical Smoothie Cafe starts year strong with new store openings

Tropical Smoothie Cafe continued its 2021 expansion momentum into the first quarter of 2022.

The fast-casual chain signed 56 new franchise agreements and opened 42 new cafes, including its first airport location, in the first quarter. More than 70% of its new agreements are with existing Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisees.

The company said the quarter was one of its strongest quarters for new openings.  The openings included a location at the newly expanded Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, in partnership with airport concessionaire Paradies Lagardère, which marked Tropical Smoothie’s expansion into the airport space.

During the first quarter of 2022, Tropical Smoothie Cafe tested a digital-only menu item that ran in celebration of Valentine's Day, Feb. 2-20. The smoothie was only available through the Tropical Smoothie Cafe app and online channels.

“This launch aligns with the brand's strategy to focus on leveraging digital channels to create fun, on-trend offerings that reward the brand's most in-the-know, loyal guests,” stated the company, which operates more than 1,075 locations nationwide.

At its annual franchisee convention, Tropical Smoothie Cafe announced that its new national charity partner is No Kid Hungry. The nonprofit, which helps the nearly 12 million kids in America who are living in hunger, aligns with the brand's purpose to Inspire Better. Through the partnership, Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations around the country will host fundraising efforts throughout the year, supporting children in need.