Tropical Smoothie Café is a chain of restaurants serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and smoothies all day. It is famous primarily for its huge variety of smoothies but distinguishes itself from other smoothie shops by offering quality food as well. With locations all over the U.S. and maintaining a presence for nearly twenty years, they clearly have the recipe for success.

Growing the franchise significantly over the years, what started as just a smoothie shop has become a full-blown eatery as every year they add more menu items. After nineteen years, with a new logo and updated restaurant as of 2014, they have continued adapting for an expanding market and increase in popularity.

History

Eric Jenrich, Delora Jenrich, and David Walker opened Tropical Smoothie, originally a simple smoothie shop, in 1997 in Destin, Florida. The original menu included just smoothies, but the popularity of the shop made them think they had something that could be successful on a bigger scale. Quick success meant expansion; the first franchise opened in Tallahassee, Florida in 1998.

Soon after, they realized the value of expanding their menu, so in 1999 food items were added and they changed their name to Tropical Smoothie Café to reflect that change. After that, things accelerated. In 2005, they upgraded décor in all their locations by adding a beach theme and by 2006 they had a total of two hundred Cafés in the United States.

Always health-conscious, Tropical Smoothie Café started adding vegan items to their already wide range healthy options, and the positive response was undeniable. Just a month after adding a vegan-friendly meat substitute, they announced the item would be a permanent one. Limited time offer menu items are also being adopted permanently when they are popular enough, like “Avocalada.”

Their three-hundredth store opened in 2011 and their four-hundredth store opened in 2015. There are plans to open up more stores to double the presence of their franchise nationwide. They even created their own holiday “National Flip-flop Day” in 2007 to celebrate their island-style attitudes, which will celebrate its tenth anniversary next year.

Review

It is a casual and quick eatery; they make good food fast, and it’s never more than a five or ten minute wait for an order. As far as ambiance is concerned, they have recreated the relaxed and colorful energy of a tropical vacation with bright and inviting island-themed decor. Staff members are cheerful and accommodating, and are always quick with a recommendation of their favorite items.

The smoothies range from classic combinations like their “Blueberry Bliss” (blueberries, strawberries, and banana) to the uber-healthy but equally delicious “Totally Green” (cucumber, green apple, kale, spinach, celery, and kiwi) to the indulgent “Peanut Butter Cup” (peanut butter, banana, and chocolate). With the ability to add in healthy extras like whole grain oats, flax seed, kale, and protein powders, there’s something for everyone.

The café menu offers food for kids all the way up to adults with items like “Cilantro Lime Fish Tacos” and “Chicken Pesto Flatbreads,” and reasonable prices to go with them. A smoothie and a salad or flatbread is only about $10. Children’s meals are even more economical: a combination smaller-smoothie and kids menu food item is only about $5.

Their menu focuses on fresh, nutritious products and their facilities are dedicated to being clean and hygienic places to produce them. Tropical Smoothie Café offers catering services as well. There’s always something new; there is a wide range of new limited time offer menu-items popping up multiple times a year, so new flavors and combinations are constantly available, and definitely worth a try.