At Tropical Smoothie Café, we blend flavor, freshness, and fun to inspire better choices every day. From smoothies to wholesome meals, our mission is to bring sunshine and energy to every guest experience.
Welcome to Tropical Smoothie Café
At Tropical Smoothie Café, we believe that every sip, bite, and menu page should evoke sunshine, tropical breezes, and good vibes. We’re more than just smoothies, we’re a destination for fresh, flavorful, and health-minded food options that lift moods and power days.
Our Story
It all began in 1993, on a sunny beach in Destin, Florida, when founders Eric and Delora Jenrich launched a humble smoothie stand to share fresh fruit blends with sun-lovers and visitors.
Over the years, that simple concept grew into a full café menu. The first franchise location opened in 1998 in Tallahassee, Florida. By 1999, we expanded beyond smoothies to include wraps, flatbreads, salads, bowls, and more to truly offer better-for-you meals alongside our signature blends.
Today, with over 1,400 cafés across the U.S. operating under the same core values, our mission remains simple: Inspire Better® choices, ones that nourish both body and spirit.
What We Serve
Our menu is built on two pillars: fresh, high-quality ingredients, and vibrant flavor.
- Smoothies & Smoothie Bowls: Every smoothie is made-to-order, using real fruit, vegetables, and optional boosts.
- Food Items: From wraps and flatbreads to salads, quesadillas, sandwiches, and nourishing bowls, we’ve designed a menu that complements our drinks and offers satisfying meals.
- Health-Conscious Options: We were an early adopter of plant-based choices: in 2013, we added Beyond Meat products (non-GMO plant protein) to select locations, and they became a permanent menu option in many cafés.
- Balance by Design: Across the brand, roughly half of our revenue comes from smoothies and the other half from food, reflecting that customers expect great meals as well as great drinks.
We’re proud to collaborate with suppliers committed to responsible sourcing, safety, and quality.
Our Values & Culture
We don’t just talk sunshine, we live it. Our guiding values are:
- Relationships Rule: We believe strong connection with our team, franchisees, and guests fuels our success.
- Think Bigger:We’re constantly exploring new menu innovations, formats, and ways to inspire better living.
- All In: Whether in product quality, service, or community impact, we give our full effort.
- High Five: Celebrating wins, small or large, is part of our DNA.
- Fun Defines Us: We embrace playfulness, brightness, and a cheerful attitude in everything we do.
Our franchise family is diverse, enthusiastic, and full of people who bring their best selves to work, shining light, creating smiles, and serving good food.
Community & Impact
We believe that “sunshine” extends beyond flavor: it’s about giving back.
- Local Outreach: Many cafés donate food, sponsor local sports teams, and support charitable causes.
- Nutrition Education: We work to make better food accessible and understandable for more people.
- Partnerships: For over a decade, we’ve supported Camp Sunshine (children with life-threatening illnesses), contributing funds, volunteer hours, and awareness.
Today & Beyond
In April 2024, the private equity firm Blackstone completed the acquisition of Tropical Smoothie Café, signaling confidence in our brand’s trajectory and growth potential.Yet while ownership evolves, our heartbeat stays the same: a passion for healthy, craveable menus; community-first thinking; and a relentless drive to inspire better experiences.
We continue expanding, new cafés, new menu items such as Tropic Bowls launched to complement our core offerings, always with the same tropical spirit.
Join Us on Tropic Time®
We invite you to explore our menu, visit a café (or order online), and let your day feel a little more like a mini getaway. Whether you’re here for the smoothie, the wrap, or simply the good vibes, welcome to Tropical Smoothie Café. You’re on Tropic Time now.