Charles Watson is currently an Atlanta-based correspondent for Fox News Mediacovering the southeastern portion of the United States. My experience with the brand up to that point was beneficial because I was already very immersed in the operations and processes that had contributed to its success at that time. It is, however, a "darn good chaser," he said and . Why The IFA Convention Is A Cant-Miss Event For Anyone In Franchising, The Automated Dumpling Restaurant Franchise That Could Turn Quick Service Dining On Its Head. 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. See where were looking to grow to meet the incredible demand. The Tropical Franchisee Council (TFC) was established in 2018 and has been invaluable for our growth. Because of our amazing guests, our franchisees, and the communities they serve, including those on the front lines of this pandemic, we will get through this. 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.". But its the freshness. Prior to being named CEO in 2018, Charles served as the chief development officer for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. He was previously. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of franchise development, real estate, design and construction and franchise administration and helped grow the system from 265 open units to 725 open units. cincinnati fence company llc SERVICE. Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO, Charles Watson, talks franchising My predecessor did a great job, so most of the hesitancy candidly was, "will this guy be as good, will we have the same amount of success?" 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200 Von Kutzleben most recently served as vice president of brand strategy, advertising and menu at Arbys. Atlanta, GA 30338 Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. Occhiogrosso: How is taking the reins of an existing company different than being part of a startup or a founder? So that was helpful! This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. There is no assurance that you will do as well. It was not possible for me to get involved in every project so I had to learn to let go and delegate. I was born with a strong work ethic. Charles recently joined his team in celebrating the opening of the 1,000th Tropical Smoothie Cafe location. Tang asked Watson what support his Franchise Owners need from Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Puts Franchisees, Community First During Crisis 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. "Relationships Rule" is one of our core values, and because of that, people are at the heart of our company. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Opens 35 New Locations in Third Quarter Right next to that is our relationship with our Franchise Owners. Its tough. If you are a resident of or want to locate a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your state. charles watson tropical smoothie net worth - blantyremalaria.org 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. There is no assurance that you will do as well. What are some of your interests outside of work? Because we want to help with your meal and your food, etc. Prior to joining Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Richard was the Vice President of Operations, West Division, for Papa Murphys International where he was responsible for field operations and marketing. Your results may differ. A shift leaders hourly wage is an average of $11. Charles Watson serves as CEO for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. 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. Tropical Smoothie Caf's recent momentum isn't just a snowball rolling downhillit's more like a full-on avalanche. And so I think thats only going to fuel our continued growth going forward. It was not possible for me to get involved in every project so I had to learn to let go and delegate. we dont want to go to Manhattan and open 30 locations. And that really got us down this road of: What is our purpose? We set company-wide strategic imperatives around these issues immediately.". "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is in a perfect position for the future. Here's how CEO Charles Watson did it. Passion is key in everything. 13, 2021, 08:36 AM. Richard Key serves as the Chief Operations Officer, responsible for overseeing the operations team and its support and training of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise community. Atlanta, GA ( RestaurantNews.com ) Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a leading national fast-casual cafe franchise known for both its better-for-you smoothies and food with a tropical twist, continues its . Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200, Atlanta, GA 30338. 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. Mark serves on the board of the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. Weve done different promotions and summertime promotions to raise dollars for Camp Sunshine and have one more coming up this fall for them. 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. The brands dedication to Inspire Better in all aspects of the business resonated with me from day one. Related Posts. A veteran franchise professional, Charles has worked for several hospitality-related companies including Intercontinental Hotels Group and US Franchise Systems. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC . This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. 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. Those franchisees are serving our guests on the front lines I can't run this business without their candid feedback.". Vice President Franchise Development. The chain plans on opening an astonishing 200 locations this year alone, which will mean its opening its 1000threstaurant. Charles is a graduate of The Hotel School at Cornell University and holds a Master of Business Administration from The Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia. Prior to that, he was named Chief Development Officer in 2015 after serving as VP of Franchise Development since 2010. Well, I think the one thing is that smoothies are anytime, theyre not just a breakfast day part. Please give our readers the "Elevator Pitch" for Tropical Smoothie Cafe? Those franchisees are serving our guests on the front lines I can't run this business without their candid feedback.". For the fiscal year 2021, these End-Cap and In-Line Tropical Smoothie Cafe Restaurants typically ranged in size from 1,200 to 1,900 square feet. "Like I said, I was very fortunate to have had already developed relationships with our franchise community prior to becoming CEO. If you don't have a Tropical Smoothie Cafe near your home yet, just wait a bit. 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. Beyond just smoothies, we serve better-for-you . Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota (File No. Join our Franchise Family. 5 Questions with Tropical Smoothie CEO Charles Watson What is the all-time best-selling smoothie the chain offers? Charles is a graduate of The Hotel School at Cornell University and holds a Master of Business Administration from The Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of franchise development, real estate, design and construction and franchise administration and helped grow the system from 265 open units to 725 open units. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Review - Average, Median, Highest, and Charles is directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises during his tenure. charles watson tropical smoothie net worth Communicate deeply. I think the biggest shift will take place for those restaurants that can't be open right now. shin numbness after acl surgery; first friday phoenix vendor application; benton high school baseball roster; surprise message link for boyfriend Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. Really trying to understand how to see the world through a different stakeholders' eyes is something I still work on.". 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. Jan 2010 - Nov 20155 years 11 months. charles watson tropical smoothie net worth - shantisrl.com How do you feel about franchise advisory councils? Riding the Wave of Growth - CEO, Charles Watson Interview I love that. Occhiogrosso: Please give our readers the "Elevator Pitch" for Tropical Smoothie Cafe? In this role, Mark leads brand, marketing, product, and digital innovations core functions of delivering the remarkable guest experience that drives Tropical Smoothie Cafes success. It was important to me that we have franchisees themselves share their feedback and align on system initiatives and goals. *$1,009,803 System Wide Average Net Revenues. JDK-8141210 : Very slow loading of JavaScript file with recent JDK . So in cities where you see a lot of brand-awareness and a lot of units, we will have moved into the core center-city demographics, but we typically work outside in. In a highly competitive segment, we're one of the fastest-growing quick-casual brands, opening 124 new locations in 2019 alone and singing 213 development agreements to open hundreds of businesses over the next few years.". Get Verified Emails for 1,980 Tropical Smoothie Cafe Employees. I may have a trick or two up my sleeve I do get to make some decisions occasionally around here. 770-580-2333, NRN Editors Discuss Digital Engagement with CMO Deborah von Kutzleben, In Her Own Words: Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisees gain Cheryl Fletchers support, Tropical Smoothie Cafe Opens First Double Drive-Thru Location. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota (File No. And theyve been able to do that, which is increased our average unit volume many, many times over the years. 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200 Well, we just talked about Camp Sunshine and we have a smoothie called the Sunshine Smoothie that is orange and mango based. Were 100% focused on domestic right now. *$1,009,803 System Wide Average Net Revenues. 185 Industrial Pkwy, Site H. Branchburg. But I would tell you that what has ultimately driven this brand is our franchisees and it is our culture, right? Amid all the pandemic news and stories of how the foodservice business is coping with the crisis, I thought I'd attempt to redirect our attention today, even if only for a short while. You know, this is terrible, but Ive never gone through a pandemic before obviously, and I would have to say Im pretty pleased I think we did a very nice job during 2020, we opened 99 new restaurants. Charles also serves on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program. It's almost all you need to know about the results of Mr. Watsons work and commitment to the franchisees. And so I dont know. Challenge the Pros: Leveraging To Meet Development Goals We gathered that feedback and used it to set goals and action plans for the company. Prior to Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Mark served as Chief Marketing Officer with Floor Coverings International where he was responsible for driving the brands digital transformation and leadership position in service-based franchising. Watson: "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual cafe concept inspiring healthier lifestyles with more than 850 locations in 44 states. "Our franchisees are the heart of our brand, so we wanted to make sure we were doing everything we could to help them stay afloat through the crisis. This information is not intended as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. We did a fantastic job of that during the pandemic, we gave away a quarter million smoothies to healthcare workers and first-responders. Share Tweet Share Pin. My job is to serve them. Husband-And-Wife Team Inspire Better | Tropical Smoothie Cafe Tropical Smoothie Cafe is rounding out yet another year of impressive growth. Franchisee Expands In Milwaukee - Tropical Smoothie Cafe LLC Richard Key serves as the Chief Operations Officer, responsible for overseeing the operations team and its support and training of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise community. And then number two, I would say a franchisee base that is second to none. He was previously Tropical Smoothie Cafe's Chief Development Officer since 2016, after serving as VP of Franchise Development since 2010. Richard Key serves as the Chief Operations Officer, responsible for overseeing the operations team and its support and training of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise community. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Posts Record-breaking Q2 Results 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. Occhiogrosso: How do you feel about franchise advisory councils? And theyre in their communities. It's tropic time. Did you foresee the level of growth the chain has experienced of late? How is taking the reins of an existing company different than being part of a startup or a founder? We want to be an escape for our consumers in this hectic world we live, and an incredible business model for our franchise partners It's an exciting time to be a fast-casual concept within this segment, specifically as the market size of the juice and smoothie bars industry is expected to increase by 2.3% in 2020, reaching nearly $3 billion in revenue across the globe. The success of our brand is about the talent and drive of our talented executives and Support Center team. Charles Watson, CEO, Tropical Smoothie Cafe So that was helpful! Charles Watson, CFE - Chief Executive Officer - Tropical Smoothie Cafe 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. So we have a broad array of food products that are both healthier and theyre more boldly flavored. In a franchise system, without broad franchisee buy-in, you cannot move as efficiently and effectively as is required in today's business environment.". An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. 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. Always number one, what I am focused on, is unit-level economics for our Franchise Owners. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Appoints Charles Watson as New Vice President of Im a football lover. Complete the form or call 770-821-1928, and a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise development leader will reach out to you with more information. And those are the most important things that I do.. . "I wanted to further instill a franchisee-first mentality. Were any of the franchisees reluctant to follow the system or embrace a new direction? From my VP of development officer to today as CEO, Ive been passionate about the brands vision. 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 was one in place already? I am overjoyed to have the opportunity to lead such an incredible brand that has truly become a part of my DNA over many years, said Watson. wills o' nats last of the summer wine. I joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe in 2010 as the Vice President of Franchise Development and, in 2016, became the Chief Development Officer, where I was responsible for all aspects of the development of the brand. As a 35 year veteran of the restaurant and franchise industry, I have always been fascinated by the challenges, risks, rewards, and day to day "work" a CEO faces when first taking the helm of an ongoing franchise organization. CALIFORNIA DISCLAIMER: THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. Michael brings 20 years of foundational IT skills and core functions of digital knowledge critical to shaping our journey to reach guests via innovative technologies. Not the Charles Watson you were looking for? Nov 10, 2021, 09:36 ET. Were in 44 states, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe does not currently have an international presence. It is for information purposes only. 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 . Watson will lead us through our next phase of strategic growth. Charles Watson of Tropical Smoothie Cafe: - medium.com Tropical Smoothie is a Georgia-based company that owns and operates a chain of restaurants serving smoothies, sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups. The range is based on estimated costs for End-Cap or In-Line Tropical Smoothie Cafe Restaurants, which include those located in or at strip style retail shopping centers but does not include drive-thrus. Show all. In this role, he is responsible for the brand's strategic vision and overall franchise performance. By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 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. Prior to joining Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Richard was the Vice President of Operations, West Division, for Papa Murphys International where he was responsible for field operations and marketing. For the fiscal year 2021, these End-Cap and In-Line Tropical Smoothie Cafe Restaurants typically ranged in size from 1,200 to 1,900 square feet. 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. 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. Michael brings 20 years of foundational IT skills and core functions of digital knowledge critical to shaping our journey to reach guests via innovative technologies. What is the mission and goal of the company over the next few years? The most common Tropical Smoothie Cafe email format is [first_initial] [last] (ex. Here's how CEO Charles Watson did it. 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200 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. Pete Ward advises Tropical Smoothie Cafe on all legal and business matters, including franchising, real estate, labor and employment, litigation, intellectual property, licensing, and other commercial matters. 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. 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.". I think the world would be a little bit of a better place if we all kept that in mind. Now were really taking the lead from our franchisees and building out DMAs organically from outside them. The reality is the Left Coast, the West coast, Oregon, California, and Washington. For more information about owning a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise, complete our form! Nobody knew what was going to happen. Tropical Smoothie Franchise Cost & Profit for 2023 Explained Tropical Smoothie Cafe drives strong development - Nation's Restaurant News Its in Casco, Maine, Camp Sunshine. SUCH REGISTRATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE APPROVAL, RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS NOR A FINDING BY THE COMMISSIONER THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS TRUE, COMPLETE AND NOT MISLEADING. Cheryl Fletcher, CDO, Bold Woman in Franchising And I dont think enough people know that you can go off script to substitute or to take out, etc. Charles has the tenacity, vision and passion this brand needs to continue our upward trajectory and will ensure the success of our franchisees is at the center of every decision we make, said Scott Pressly, Chairman of the Board, Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson Tells Us Everything - Mashed This information appears in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. 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. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Beyond just smoothies, we serve better-for-you wraps, sandwiches, and flatbreads, and pride ourselves on living at the "intersection of taste, convenience, and hospitality." From wraps to flatbreads to salads, Mr. Watson continues to solidly position Tropical Smoothie Cafe as a leader in the fast-casual, healthier lifestyle food category. Prior to Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Mark served as Chief Marketing Officer with Floor Coverings International where he was responsible for driving the brands digital transformation and leadership position in service-based franchising. Beyond just smoothies, we serve better-for-you wraps, sandwiches, and flatbreads, and pride ourselves on living at the "intersection of taste, convenience, and hospitality." And so the way that they impact the communities where they operate is a really big part. For the fiscal year 2021, these End-Cap and In-Line Tropical Smoothie Cafe Restaurants typically ranged in size from 1,200 to 1,900 square feet. New York State Disclaimer: This advertisement is not an offering. *$1,009,803 System Wide Average Net Revenues. Other common Tropical Smoothie Cafe email . 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. I have a little bit sweeter palate. 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. He is directly responsible for selling more than 800 franchises. 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. Watson: As you know, the restaurant industry has taken a huge hit. 2~10() . Charles Watson - Restaurant Leadership Conference Prior to that, he was named Chief Development Officer in 2015 after serving as VP of Franchise Development 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 system's .