from Staff
Buoyed by strong sales and the public’s growing thirst for smoothies and other healthy dining options, a representative of Tropical Smoothie Café announced recently that the chain is on track to more than quadruple the number of locations across the northeast Florida region.
The move is expected to add as many as 450 jobs to the local economy.
Buddy Lawrence, who along with his son, Bo, oversees franchise development across Duval, Clay, St. Johns and Nassau counties said that the First Coast continues to be one of the nation’s strongest markets for the franchise.
Entrepreneur Magazine recently rated Tropical Smoothie Café as one of the nation’s fastest growing franchises. There are currently 11 locations across Northeast Florida but plans for 30-35 more are in the works.
“Every time we add a location, the numbers keep telling us, ‘add more,’” said Lawrence.
Lawrence added that while they have franchise owners in place for some new locations, such as the store opening at the upcoming Markets at Town Center at the quickly growing St. Johns Town Center retail development, franchisees for other locations are still being sought to meet the demand.
Tropical Smoothie Café has tried to position itself as different from most other options in the healthy drink category in that it also puts a strong emphasis on food. However, Lawrence said he also attributes much of the rapid success locally to the concept itself.
He said he believes the Tropical Smoothie Café brand connected strongly with the Jacksonville market because the concept centers around the beach lifestyle.
“It instantly resonated with the locals more than some of the other options out there,” he said.
Both Buddy and Bo Lawrence are also native to Jacksonville. They said that plays a huge role in a franchisee’s success. “Lots of new franchises come to town and stumble because no one involved knows the market,” said Bo Lawrence.
Tropical Smoothie Café was debuted in Destin, Fla. in 1997. There are 250 locations in 29 states with 108 in construction and a new store opening
nearly every five days. Tropical Smoothie Café offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more information, visit www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com.