Franchise of the Week: Tropical Smoothie Cafe and a Resale for only $150k with Proven brand**

Hey Empire Builders, Welcome to this week’s Franchise Empire Newsletter, where we share specific franchise opportunities that we think are interesting and examples of everyday folks building their empires.

Today, in 5 minutes or less:

✔ Resale for Only $150k with Proven Brand **

✔ Is a Tropical Smoothie Cafe Worth the investment? (Costs, Sales, & Fees)

✔ From Pizza to Paint: Isaac’s Return to Business Ownership 

✔ Would You Pick Up Dog Poop For $200K?

✔ How Much Can You Make with a $500k Tool Truck? (Costs, Sales, & Fees)

**Sales are non-verified information provided by the franchise Owner. The data provided has NOT been verified by the source; they should treat the values as approximated values. Buyer is encouraged to independently verify the financial information and asking price supplied by the Seller.

Attention Franchise Buyers:

For those of you who are struggling to find the right franchise, or maybe you’ve worked with a broker or consultant and haven’t had success…

We now offer complimentary access to our proprietary Zero to Profitable Franchise™ system to help you get access to the most proven franchises and reduce your risk, so that you can buy a money-making franchise with confidence and PROTECT YOUR ASSETS. 

This is exclusively available for franchise buyers that want to work with our team in a brokerage capacity to find, vet, and launch a money-making franchise.

You can schedule a free consultation with our team to see if you qualify and if we are the right fit to work with each other.

You can do that here https://www.franchiseempire.com/ztpf

Franchise resales possess many benefits for aspiring business owners – established cash flow, experienced employees, systems in place, and brand awareness, to name a few. 

• Home Services business
• Asking Price: $150,000
• Trailing 12-month Gross Sales: $258,000**
  

**Revenue, or any financial numbers, is non-verified information provided by the franchise Owner. The data provided has NOT been verified by the franchisor. You should treat the values as approximated values. Buyer is encouraged to independently verify the financial information and asking price supplied by the Seller.

• This Franchisor is part of an established brand with proven systems and a long track record of success.
• Growth opportunity for a hands-on operator and experienced leader.

Curious to learn more about this particular franchise resale, or other resales available in your area?

We have a list of over 100+ resales with various brands spanning the United States and Canada. Click the link below to find out what specific opportunities are available in your area.

Tropical Smoothie Café started in 1997 in Destin, Florida, founded by Eric and Delora Jenrich and David Walker. What began as a laid-back smoothie bar selling real-fruit smoothies along the Florida Panhandle quickly grew into a full fast-casual café with a bright, tropical vibe.

By 1998, the first franchise opened in Tallahassee, marking the beginning of its national expansion. Within just two years, the brand was already evolving; by 1999, it had added sandwiches and wraps to the menu, transforming from a smoothie bar into a balanced café concept.

Today, roughly 60% of sales come from beverages and 40% from food, giving franchise owners multiple ways to drive revenue throughout the day.

After years of steady growth, the brand caught the attention of private equity firms. In 2020, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners acquired Tropical Smoothie Café, and in April 2024, Blackstone purchased the brand in a deal worth nearly $2 billion.

The results? Explosive momentum. In 2024, Tropical Smoothie opened 161 new stores, marking 13 straight years of same-store sales growth, an impressive streak of consistency and performance in the fast-casual industry. Today, the system includes 1,515 total locations, with 1,514 franchise-owned and just one corporate store. So, let's see what it takes to own a cafe of your own.👇

*You should treat the values as approximated values. These values were found online through research.

• Total Investment: $340,000 - $814,000
• Franchise Fee: $35,000
• Grand Opening Marketing Contribution: $10,000
• Multi-Unit Additional Fee: $25,000 per unit
• Royalty Fee: 6% of gross sales
• National Marketing Fee: 5-6% of gross sales
• Total Units: 1,515 (1,514 franchised, 1 corporate)
• Minimum Net Worth: $400,000
• Liquid Assets: $175,00

• Business-Minded Operator: Someone who understands brand culture, team leadership, and day-to-day restaurant operations.

• Growth-Focused Investor: Motivated to develop multiple cafés within a defined market and scale long-term.

• Experienced Professional: Prior restaurant experience is preferred but not required; business or retail management experience is a strong plus.

• Community Connector: Passionate about giving back, building local relationships, and creating a positive guest experience.

• Culture Fit: Aligns with the brand’s upbeat, health-conscious, and “good vibes only” identity.

*Information below taken from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document – Item 19 

Average Net Revenue in 2024

Benefits for the Franchisee:

• Award-Winning Brand: Ranked #18 overall and #1 in the Smoothie/Juice category on Entrepreneur’s 2025 Franchise 500.
  
  
• Proven Performance: 13 straight years of same-store sales growth and over 160 new cafés opened in 2024 alone.
  
  
• Turnkey Business Model: Backed by dedicated real estate, construction, marketing, and operations teams guiding owners every step of the way.
  
  
• Balanced Revenue Streams: Approximately 60/40 smoothie-to-food mix across dine-in, drive-thru, curbside pickup, delivery, and mobile ordering.
  
  
• Private Equity Backing: Blackstone’s $2 billion acquisition signals confidence in the brand’s growth trajectory.
  

To see if this franchise is available in your territory OR Check the availability of ALL franchises in your area

Episode #147: Would You Pick Up Dog Poop For $200K?

This episode breaks down how we narrow 4,000+ franchise brands down to 4-6 best-fit options for each buyer. It dives into questions buyers should be asking themselves, how to filter by business type, how personal preferences and finances shape the options, and how Franchise Empire coaches candidates through the due diligence funnel, all the way from idea to signature.

Watch on YouTube

Listen on Podcast Platforms

Episode #148: How Much Can You Make with a $500k Tool Truck? (Costs, Sales, & Fees)

Ever seen a Snap-On Tools truck and wondered how that business actually works? In this video, we break down the Snap-On Tools franchise model in detail, from its 100-year history and unique mobile store concept to startup costs, in-house financing options, and what franchisees are really earning. You’ll learn how Snap-On makes money without traditional royalties, what the startup investment looks like, and the real sales data revealed in their Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

Watch on YouTube

Listen on Podcast Platforms

That’s a wrap for this week’s Franchise Empire newsletter. 

Feel free to reply with any questions, or feedback. I appreciate and value your time and attention.

I’ll see you at the same time next week!

-Tariq and The Franchise Empire Team