Tropical Smoothie Cafe LLC

Tropical Smoothie Cafe LLC started as a blended-fruit emporium, but it has grown into a fast-casual restaurant concept.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe opened its first location in 1997 in Tallahassee, Fla., and expanded the menu two years later to include sandwiches. The café menus now offer a variety of flatbreads, wraps, quesadillas, bowls and breakfast items. The side items include jalapeno corn with a chipotle mayonnaise and maple-glazed sweet potatoes.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is now headquartered in Atlanta.

The brand has participated in the International Franchise Association Foundation’s VetFran Program, which provides financial incentives to qualified veterans to open franchises. Tropical Smoothie Cafe also partners with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.

Los Angeles-based Levine Leichtman Capital Partners bought the brand in 2020.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has more than 900 locations nationwide.

Key Data: Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Headquarters: Atlanta

Segment: Fast Casual

Restaurant Segment: LSR Salad/Healthful

Number of Locations: 939

2020 Sales: $586,436,000

Annual Growth:

Source: Datassential Firefly 500

CEO: Charles Watson

Parent/Group: Levine Leichtman Capital Partners