Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Fast-casual restaurant franchise serving smoothies, wraps, and sandwiches with a tropical twist, offering fresh and flavorful menu options.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

1514

26%

Franchise fee

$35,000

Investment

$341,000 - $815,000

Revenue (AUV)

$955,000

-1.2%

Based in Destin, Florida, Tropical Smoothie Café is a prominent American restaurant chain known for its focus on providing healthier fast food alternatives.

Established in 1997 by Eric Jenrich, Delora Jenrich, and David Walker, Tropical Smoothie Café has grown into a leading lifestyle brand, catering to customers seeking nutritious and delicious meal options.

The menu features a wide array of smoothies, sandwiches, flatbreads, wraps, bowls, and breakfast choices. Customers can enjoy a selection of superfood, classic, indulgent, and supercharged smoothies, with the option to add supplements for an extra nutritional boost.

Tropical Smoothie Café began its franchising journey in 1997, with the first franchise opening in Tallahassee, Florida. The brand's commitment to quality, community involvement, and customer satisfaction has contributed to its growing popularity and strong market presence.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise is $341,000 - $815,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$17,500 to $35,000
Professional Fees	$8,500 to $18,500
Restaurant Fixtures, Furniture and Equipment (including POS system)	$141,500 to $174,500
Leasehold Improvements	$145,000 to $426,000
Signage	$6,000 to $22,500
Initial Inventory	$6,500 to $20,500
Initial Training Expenses	$500 to $20,000
Initial Deposits	$250 to $30,500
Grand Opening Contribution	$5,000 to $10,000
Additional Funds (Working Capital, 3 to 6 months)	$10,000 to $57,000
Total	$340,750 to $814,500

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$17,500 to $35,000
Professional Fees	$8,500 to $18,500
Restaurant Fixtures, Furniture and Equipment (including POS system)	$141,500 to $174,500
Leasehold Improvements	$145,000 to $426,000
Signage	$6,000 to $22,500
Initial Inventory	$6,500 to $20,500
Initial Training Expenses	$500 to $20,000
Initial Deposits	$250 to $30,500
Grand Opening Contribution	$5,000 to $10,000
Additional Funds (Working Capital, 3 to 6 months)	$10,000 to $57,000
Total	$340,750 to $814,500

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is Tropical Smoothie Cafe's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

Tropical Smoothie Cafe had 1515 total units in 2025, of which 1514 were franchised-owned and 1 company-owned.

Competitors

Below are some of

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

key competitors in the

Healthy

sector.

Franchise

Upgrade

1514

New

26%

6.00%

$341,000

$815,000

$955,000

n.a.

Grain and Berry

$100K - $200K

New

25%

6.00%

$193,000

$659,000

$1,155,000

n.a.

Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies

$25K - $50K

New

-18%

n.a.

$29,000

$597,000

n.a.

Protein Bar and Kitchen

$200K - $500K

New

n.a.

6.00%

$370,000

$685,000

$1,279,000

13.2%

Surf City Squeeze

$50K - $100K

New

-10%

6.00%

$69,000

$390,000

n.a.

Rush Bowls

$200K - $500K

New

24%

6.00%

$200,000

$545,000

n.a.

Tapioca Express

$100K - $200K

New

-29%

2.50%

$138,000

$479,000

n.a.

Training

Tropical Smoothie Café is dedicated to ensuring that its franchisees are thoroughly prepared to manage their franchises effectively. To this end, they offer a robust training program designed for franchisees.

Prior to the grand opening of their restaurant, each franchisee must complete the "Initial Training Program." As of the latest update, this program comprises three key segments:

Franchise Basics Program: Spanning approximately two weeks, this segment introduces franchisees to the fundamental aspects of operating a Tropical Smoothie Café.
Franchise Leadership Program: Lasting about a week, this segment focuses on leadership and management skills, equipping franchisees to be effective business leaders.
New Restaurant Opening: Conducted in the week leading up to the restaurant's opening, this segment emphasizes final preparations and operational details to ensure a successful launch.

Territory Protection

Tropical Smoothie Café does not provide franchisees with an exclusive territory. As a result, you may encounter competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or other distribution channels and competitive brands managed by Tropical Smoothie Café.

Your Franchised Business will be operated at a specific location that has been approved by Tropical Smoothie Café. You are required to conduct business solely at this approved location and cannot relocate without obtaining prior approval from Tropical Smoothie Café.

Frequently Asked Questions

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Started franchising

1997

Franchisees

1514

26%

Franchise fee

$35,000

Investment

$341,000 - $815,000

Revenue (AUV)

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$955,000

-1.2%

Operating Profit

n.a.

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