Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. Today's post focus' on that topic in an interview with Charles Watson, the CEO of Tropical Smoothie Caf. Tropical Smoothie Cafe is rounding out yet another year of impressive growth. Our relationships are founded on trust and respect for the unique talents of our teams, franchisees, and vendors alike. And theyre in their communities. F-9894), New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. 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. Nov 10, 2021, 09:36 ET. It was not possible for me to get involved in every project so I had to learn to let go and delegate. 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. Well, we just talked about Camp Sunshine and we have a smoothie called the Sunshine Smoothie that is orange and mango based. Richard has served in a franchise operations capacity for more than 20 years with brands such as TCBY, Carvel, and Moes Southwest Grill. Tropical Smoothie Caf works to keep its momentum - Restaurant Business Charles Watson serves as CEO for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. When Charles Watson became the new Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO in 2019, . The best smoothie in terms of sales actually going on right now is our Mango Berry Cosmo. I would say that understanding the viewpoints and drivers of the different stakeholders I was serving was important. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. And drive their economic engine. TropicalSmoothie.com. And so thats one of my favorites. Watson has more than 10 years of experience with Tropical Smoothie Cafe and led our franchise development efforts since 2010. 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. 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 . Occhiogrosso:What was your plan for the first 90 days? So our franchisees, if theyre staying on top of their Tropical Smoothie Cafe, theyve got to own that three to five mile radius around there. Charles is directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises during his tenure. 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. There are currently 913 franchised locations and 1 company-owned restaurant. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. 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. Paul Marsden oversees development and execution of financial strategies to support the companys business plans. Im a football lover. Interested Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise candidates should have business experience, along with a minimum net worth of $350,000, which includes $125,000 in liquid assets. What sets your smoothies apart from smoothies from competitors? At the start of his career, Michaels ambitious spirit led him to develop a point of sale system, Hot Sauce. Its the high quality ingredients. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Continues Aggressive Expansion In Texas NET WORTH * LIQUID CAPITAL/CASH . Charles Watson serves as CEO for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Its tough. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Or the Hummus Veggie Wrap? Nobody knew what was going to happen. He's no stranger to franchise development, nor is Charles Watson an outsider, having served four years as the company's Chief Development Officer in addition to his prior role as VP of Franchise Development. The offering is by prospectus only. Richard has served in a franchise operations capacity for more than 20 years with brands such as TCBY, Carvel, and Moes Southwest Grill. 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. What was the condition of the company before you were named CEO? What is something you wish more people knew about the chain and its products? Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota (File No. In these roles, Charles was responsible for all development of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe brand. It is for information purposes only. Watch the complete interview here or start your journey in becoming a Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Owner by completing our form. Start to Finish: What Inspires Execs | September 14, 2022 | QSR Staff. Its doing more than just being in business to sell food and smoothies. 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. . Tropical Smoothie Franchise For Sale - SmoothieProClub.com 770-580-2333, Bold Women in the C-Suite: Cheryl Fletcher, Connect with People Who Have More Experience: Interview with Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Tropical Smoothie Cafe Celebrates Spring With The Return Of Superfruit Smoothies. Occhiogrosso: What are some of the additional support initiatives you put in place for your franchise community during the pandemic? Passion and brand vision continue to guide the way. Charles Watson, the CEO of Tropical Smoothie Care, was thrilled with his company's performance so far this year . 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. Total revenues were $58 million while expenses were only $41 million, indicating a healthy profit margin of around 30%. 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. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Puts Franchisees, Community First During Crisis "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is in a perfect position for the future. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200, Atlanta, GA 30338. I love that. Really trying to understand how to see the world through a different stakeholders' eyes is something I still work on.". Charles Watson, Tropical Smoothie Cafe Corp: Profile and Biography "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. Occhiogrosso: What were the one or two unique challenges that you faced upon taking over as CEO? And we actually drove our comparative sales versus 2019 by 7.5%. shin numbness after acl surgery; first friday phoenix vendor application; benton high school baseball roster; surprise message link for boyfriend 770-580-2333 In 2018, when I was named CEO, we had more than 720 locations open nationwide. which of the following is not characteristic of groupthink SPEED Riding the Wave of Growth - CEO, Charles Watson Interview charles watson tropical smoothie net worth Tropical Smoothie Cafe. 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. And so we are rolling out this fall, what were calling it, our Inspire Better, right? I and/or my business partner(s) have the following financials, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC 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. Charles Watson CEO. It is for information purposes only. Tropical Smoothie Cafe chases big dreams, pandemic or not 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. Tropical Smoothie Caf Income Statement Key Insights-Analysis based off Predecessor 2020-Overall, Tropical Smoothie Caf is a profitable business, with a net income of $7.6 million in 2020. 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 was born with a strong work ethic. 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. 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 strategic expansion has reinforced its industry-leading position and set the stage for 2023 and beyond. So again, I mentioned earlier menu innovation. 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 . He was previously. 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. 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)? CEO Charles Watson says that the company is "99.9 percent franchise," which means that most of the locations are owned independently. A veteran franchise professional, Charles has worked for several hospitality-related companies including Intercontinental Hotels Group and US Franchise Systems. As CEO, Watsons goal is to achieve $1 billion in sales and more than 1,500 cafes by 2023. Watson will lead us through our next phase of strategic growth. 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. In todays restaurant industry, consumers are always looking for the next trendy item or the next emerging concept. Watson: As you know, the restaurant industry has taken a huge hit. And they want what they want when they want it, and thats usually right now. So that was helpful! Fast CasualAn interview with Tim Tang of HughesDecember 2, 2019. Each year, franchisees complete the Franchise Business Review to essentially grade us here at the Support Center on how we're serving them. 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. Sometimes youve just got to go with the taste. Watson has been with Tropical Smoothie Cafe for many years now, so he has seen the growth up close. 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200 5 Questions with Tropical Smoothie CEO Charles Watson For me, my entrepreneurial passion really came from my parents. 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. And then number two, I would say a franchisee base that is second to none. Complete the form or call. Outside of smoothies, whats the top-selling non-smoothie product? charles watson tropical smoothie net worth - blantyremalaria.org Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota (File No. Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson on franchisee success and When our franchisees are successful, the brand is successful. For many, many years, its been the Bahama Mama. 'Are y'all OK in LA?!' The internet is left in uproar after shopper Thats a smoothie that has pineapple, strawberries, and white chocolate and coconut. We had a high level of mutual trust and respect for each other that existed before I assumed the role of CEO. 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. Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson Tells Us Everything About The Franchise - Exclusive Interview. 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. Tropical Smoothie Prioritizes Franchisees to Inspire Growth Franchisee Expands In Milwaukee - Tropical Smoothie Cafe LLC Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. As reopening guidelines are being determined, we plan to move forward with an abundance of caution.". The Tropical Franchisee Council (TFC) was established in 2018 and has been invaluable for our growth. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise History and Leadership Team Watson:"I wanted to further instill a franchisee-first mentality. Cheryl Fletcher joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in July of 2017. Tell us a little about your background before joining Tropical Smoothie? 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. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Posts Record-Breaking Q2 Results Tropical Smoothie Cafe Appoints Charles Watson as New Vice President of On the other hand, its hard to beat a plate of spaghetti. In my case, because I already had nearly a decade with Tropical Smoothie Cafe on the franchise development side, I had the unique advantage of personal relationships with our franchise community. He has been the Chief Development Officer since 2015 and directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises during his tenure. 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. 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. In these roles, Charles was responsible for all development of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe brand. So that was helpful! 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. Right next to that is our relationship with our Franchise Owners. We figured a good person to ask might be the CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Charles Watson. We're a healthier, quick . The company's goal is to . CEO Charles Watson, . 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. The chain plans on opening an astonishing 200 locations this year alone, which will mean it's opening its 1000th restaurant. What were the one or two unique challenges that you faced upon taking over as CEO? Tropical Smoothie Cafe announces Charles Watson as the new Chief Executive Officer. And the other misconception, whether you think its uber healthy or not so healthy, is that you, the consumer, the guest have all the choice in the world. 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. 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. 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. Knowing that those essential workers are not only in the healthcare fields, weve also extended our giving to grocery store, warehouse and post office employees. So I was compelled to ask Mr. Watson his thoughts on the pandemic and the company's response. TropicalSmoothie.com. Vice President Franchise Development. Yes, I am putting my mark on the brand and culture, but I have been around long enough not to stray too far from the DNA of the brand.". 185 Industrial Pkwy, Site H. Branchburg. 770-580-2333, Tropical Smoothie Cafe Achieves New Milestones in 2022, These Will Be The 10 Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chains In 2023, Tropical Smoothie Cafe Propels Franchise Momentum in Q3. In her role as Chief Development Officer, Cheryl drives the brands franchise development sales, real estate and design and construction. Weve been in partnership with them for over 10 years now. Charles Watson has been the CEO since . Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, said, "It's inspiring to be part of the growth that Tropical Smoothie Cafe has . Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson admits that his brand isn't always at the leading edge when it comes to technology innovation. Well see, I may have to bring that one back. And so the way that they impact the communities where they operate is a really big part. Whats the best piece of advice that other restaurant executives should hear? 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. 770-580-2333 From my VP of development officer to today as CEO, Ive been passionate about the brands vision. Oh gosh. We must be able to service the guests who want to be on demand.. New York State Disclaimer: This advertisement is not an offering. And by the way, thats one way Tropical Smoothie Cafe has grown so big so fast the food. Prior to that, he was named Chief Development Officer in 2015 after serving as VP of Franchise Development since 2010. I may have been, in fact, the person responsible for awarding them a franchise! Cheryl Fletcher, Chief Development Officer of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, shares highlights of her career and leadership style in Franchising. If you dont have a Tropical Smoothie Cafe near your home yet, just wait a bit. Tropical Smoothie Cafe's primary competitors include Del Taco, Jack in the Box, El Pollo Loco and 19 more. 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 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. I think the world would be a little bit of a better place if we all kept that in mind. Were any of the franchisees reluctant to follow the system or embrace a new direction? 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. Paul Marsden oversees development and execution of financial strategies to support the companys business plans. Tang asked Watson what support his Franchise Owners need from Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Von Kutzleben most recently served as vice president of brand strategy, advertising and menu at Arbys. Complete the form or call 770-821-1928, and a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise development leader will reach out to you with more information. In conclusion, I believe the growth of Tropical Smoothie Cafe over the last two years demonstrates Mr. Watson's steady leadership and a clear understanding of building on the momentum that has made the brand a leader in its category. Are there misconceptions about smoothies you want cleared up? What challenges, if any, did you face in getting "buy-in" from the existing franchise community once you became CEO? We had a high level of mutual trust and respect for each other that existed before I assumed the role of CEO. The most common Tropical Smoothie Cafe email format is [first_initial] [last] (ex. While the pandemic destroyed thousands of restaurants last year, Atlanta-based Tropical Smoothie Cafe had one of its best years to date. charles watson tropical smoothie net worth The companys goal is to open 1,500 cafes or more by the year 2024. Since that time, he has led the company on its quest towards $1billion in sales by 2023. In a franchise system, without broad franchisee buy-in, you cannot move as efficiently and effectively as is required in today's business environment.". 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. 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. Atlanta, GA. Complete the form or call 770-821-1928, and a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise development leader will reach out to you with more information. Find contact details for 700 million professionals. "Relationships Rule" is one of our core values, and because of that, people are at the heart of our company. A presentation for a board is focused on very different things than a franchisee roadshow. 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. wills o' nats last of the summer wine. See where were looking to grow to meet the incredible demand. Then I was our chief development officer and Ive been our CEO for about three years now. How Much Do You Make Owning A Tropical Smoothie. This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. 2~10() . "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. Fixed: Release in which this issue/RFE has been fixed.The release containing this fix may be available for download as an Early Access Release or a General Availability Release. 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. 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. Luckily in my first two years as CEO, we continued to expand the footprint of the brand, and increase brand awareness, drive profitability for our franchisees and drive our comp sales. ", Charles Watson was named CEO in December 2018. Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. Charles Watson is Chief Executive Officer at Tropical Smoothie Cafe Corp. See Charles Watson's compensation, career history, education, & memberships.