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Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Marketing

Tropical Smoothie Café wants to turn on its marketing engine

 By Jonathan Maze on May 27, 2026

The smoothie chain that also sells food has had strong growth and customer value scores. Now it just needs to build brand awareness. It has a plan to do that.

Leadership

Tropical Smoothie Café makes a trio of executive appointments

 By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 12, 2025

The smoothie chain named Jonathan Biggs its new chief operating officer, Chris Sasser chief financial officer and Karen Wickliffe general counsel.

Financing

Just like that, Blackstone becomes a huge player in the restaurant business

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 20, 2024

The Bottom Line: The private-equity firm has long invested in franchisors. But three deals worth more than $10 billion make its presence felt in the restaurant business.

Leadership

Max Wetzel named CEO of Tropical Smoothie Café

By Lisa Jennings on Nov. 04, 2024

Wetzel replaces outgoing CEO Charles Watson, who led the rapidly growing healthful fast-casual concept for six years through an acquisition.

Financing

Fast-growing Tropical Smoothie is being sold to Blackstone

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 24, 2024

The Atlanta-based fast-casual smoothie chain, which has thrived in recent years, is being sold to the private-equity giant for $2 billion.

Financing

Tropical Smoothie Café is apparently planning a $2B sale

By Jonathan Maze on Dec. 21, 2023

The smoothie chain is reportedly exploring a sale for as much as $2 billion, the latest indication of a warming restaurant M&A market.

Financing

Companies are still lining up to go public despite recent volatility

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 20, 2022

The Bottom Line: Tropical Smoothie Café and Coopers Hawk are both reportedly planning upcoming IPOs, adding to a growing list. But some recent offerings haven’t fared well.

Leadership

Tropical Smoothie Cafe adds former Arby’s exec as CMO

By Heather Lalley on Nov. 10, 2021

Deborah von Kutzleben also spent more than two decades at global advertising firm BBDO Worldwide.

Leadership

Tropical Smoothie Cafe promotes its operations SVP to COO

By Heather Lalley on Sep. 15, 2021

Richard Key has been with the fast-growing smoothie chain since 2018. The fast casual recently opened its 1,000th store.

Operations

A look inside Papa Murphy’s new prototype

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 09, 2021

The take-and-bake pizza chain’s new design shrinks the customer area and moves the assembly line to the back. It is using incentives to get franchisees to remodel their stores quickly.

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