Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a fast-casual restaurant franchise in the United States dedicated to promoting a healthier lifestyle through fresh, flavorful food and smoothies. Known for its beachy vibe and “better-for-you” options, it offers a vibrant alternative to traditional fast food.
What Makes Tropical Smoothie Cafe Special?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of Restaurant | Fast-casual |
| Core Concept | Health-conscious food with a tropical fun atmosphere |
| Mission | “To inspire a healthier lifestyle by serving amazing food and smoothies… with a bit of tropical fun” |
| Values | Solid Relationships, Playing to Win, Creative Spirit, Living Better |
| Franchise Model | Flexible formats: in-line, end-cap (with/without drive-thru), freestanding |
| Community Impact | Partners with No Kid Hungry to fight childhood hunger |
Menu Highlights
Tropical Smoothie Cafe isn’t just about smoothies — it offers a diverse, health-focused menu.
Smoothies
Made with real fruit, and optional supplements for energy, detox, or protein.
Food Categories
| Category | Example Items |
|---|---|
| Wraps | Buffalo Chicken, Chicken Bacon Ranch, Hummus Veggie |
| Flatbreads | Chicken Pesto, Chipotle Chicken Club, Luau Pork |
| Bowls | Acai Bowl, Chia Oatmeal, Detox Island Green |
| Salads | Thai Chicken, Supergreen Caesar, Chicken Salad |
| Sandwiches | Chicken Pesto, Avocado Grilled Cheese |
| Quesadillas | Chicken Quesadilla, Cheese Quesadilla |
| Kids Meals | Grilled Cheese, Cheese Quesadilla, Chicken Bites |
| Sides | Kale & Apple Slaw, Jalapeño Corn, Whole Fruit |
| Cookies & Breakfast | Peanut Butter Banana Crunch, Bagel with Cream Cheese, Grits, Oatmeal |
Beverages
| Category | Example Drinks |
|---|---|
| Water & Juices | Aquafina, Coconut Water, Simply Orange |
| Sodas | Coca-Cola, Sprite, Dr. Pepper |
| Teas & Coffee | Organic Iced Tea, Gold Peak, Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee |
| Other | Naked Juice, Vitaminwater, Bubly Sparkling Water |
Services & Facilities
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Online Ordering | Available through website and app |
| Mobile App | Order, customize, earn rewards |
| Tropic Rewards® | Earn points for purchases, birthday gifts, friend referrals |
| Catering | Smoothie packs, wrap platters, food boxes for events |
| Happy Hour | Discounted items at select times (varies by location) |
| Drive-thru & Dine-in | Many locations offer both |
| Gift Cards | Available for purchase |
No Reservations Needed
Tropical Smoothie Cafe operates as a fast-casual restaurant. That means:
- You order at the counter
- You can usually find open seating
- No reservation is required
Ownership and Leadership
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Current Owner | Blackstone, a global private equity firm |
| Acquired From | Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP) in June 2024 |
| CEO | Max Wetzel (since November 2024) |
Contact Information
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone | 770-821-1900 |
| tropicalsmoothiecafe@thelevelup.com | |
| Corporate Address | 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W200, Atlanta, GA 30338, USA |
Online Ordering & Delivery
- Order via official website or mobile app
- Delivery through Uber Eats, DoorDash, and others
- Customize your order, track it, and earn rewards
Food Quality
| Fresh, Tasty & Popular Food Items |
|---|
| Trop Bowls are consistently good and generously drizzled (Sarah Drewing) |
| Buffalo chicken wrap and mixed berry bowl were incredibly fresh (Amy K) |
| PB Protein Crunch smoothie bowl was delicious (Sasha) |
| Açaí bowls always fresh and amazing (thelauragaskin) |
| Smoothies made with real fruit, not powder (Kerri Coughlin) |
| Açaí Berry Boost is a favorite and well-blended (pa banks) |
| Chia Banana Boost was too thick and unevenly blended (K W) |
| Bug found in Thai chicken salad (Champale Watkins – isolated issue) |
Service Quality
| Friendly & Efficient Staff |
|---|
| Staff is friendly and helpful at all hours (Tiffany Rodriguez) |
| Greeted promptly and order was accurate (Rich Philpot) |
| Fast and efficient service (pa banks) |
| Friendly staff and chill vibe (thelauragaskin) |
| Staff was accommodating and thorough (Tiffany Rodriguez) |
| Excellent service even with thick smoothie issue (K W) |
Atmosphere & Cleanliness
| Pleasant & Welcoming Environment |
|---|
| Vibrant, spotless atmosphere enhances experience (Amy K) |
| Indoor dining area available (Sarah Drewing, Amy K) |
| Place is clean and well-maintained (Tiffany Rodriguez) |
| Chill vibe adds to experience (thelauragaskin) |
Parking & Accessibility
| Convenient Parking |
|---|
| Plenty of parking space (Sarah Drewing, Amy K, K W) |
| Free of charge parking lot (Sarah Drewing, Amy K, K W) |
Vegetarian & Dietary Options
| Good for Vegetarians |
|---|
| Highly recommended for vegetarians (Amy K) |
| Large vegetarian selection available (Amy K) |
Customer Loyalty & Recommendations
| Go-To Spot for Many |
|---|
| Many reviewers call it their go-to for fresh, healthy food (Amy K, pa banks, thelauragaskin) |
| Multiple reviewers said they will return or order again (Sasha, Rich Philpot, Kerri Coughlin) |
| Highly recommended by several reviewers (Amy K, Sasha, Tiffany Rodriguez) |
In Summary
Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers a delicious, health-forward dining experience that combines the convenience of fast-casual service with nutritious ingredients and a laid-back tropical atmosphere. Whether you’re grabbing a smoothie, ordering a wrap to-go, or catering a group meal, they deliver both taste and wellness.
Customer Feedback
At Tropical Smoothie Cafe, we value every customer interaction and continually strive to improve. Here’s what visitors are saying about their recent experiences:
Kay Lafleur
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Visited: 3 years ago | Type: Takeaway | Meal: Brunch | Price Range: $1–$10
“It’s great having healthy options close by. I ordered the Island Green Smoothie—delicious—and the staff member at the counter was very pleasant. However, I received the wrong wrap. When I called, I was told to return with the receipt and incorrect item, which I did the next day. While I received the correct wrap then, there was no apology or gesture to make up for the inconvenience.”
Highlights:
- Great smoothie
- Friendly counter service
- Needs improvement in handling order errors
Owner Response:
“We’re very sorry to hear about your experience, Kay. We’re committed to delivering high-quality food and service, and we’d love the opportunity to make things right.”
Noor Mendez
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Visited: 2 months ago | Type: Takeaway | Meal: Breakfast | Price Range: $1–$10
“Smoothies are usually very good, but the evening staff tends to use too much ice, which waters them down. Staff are polite, but seem disengaged—perhaps a management issue. The cafe is clean, but the lack of energy from the team affects the overall vibe.”
Ratings:
- Food: 3/5
- Service: 3/5
- Atmosphere: 3/5
Recommended Dish: Chia Banana Boost
Additional Notes:
- Parking: Plenty available
- Kid-Friendly: Acceptable, but limited interaction
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with wide aisles
Jeremy Thompson
Rating: ★★★★★
Visited: 3 years ago | Experience: First-time smoothie drinker
“I never drank smoothies before, but now I’m hooked! The app makes ordering easy and lets you rack up rewards fast. It’s user-friendly and adds a lot of value to the overall experience.”
Highlights:
- Excellent first-time experience
- Highly recommends using the mobile app
- Smoothie quality exceeded expectations
Owner Response:
“Thank you, Jeremy! We’re thrilled you had such a positive experience and that the app helped make your visit even better. We look forward to serving you again.”
Summary
Customers appreciate Tropical Smoothie Cafe for its:
- Healthy, customizable smoothie options
- Clean and accessible environment
- Friendly and polite staff
However, some noted inconsistencies in service and drink preparation—particularly during evening hours—and suggested improvements in customer engagement and issue resolution. Overall, the cafe remains a reliable choice for those seeking fast, healthy, and refreshing options.
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