Sandy Springs gets first store of the quick service restaurant not owned by a franchisee.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe has plans to open a new location every six days, Dawn Suhail Lewis, human resource manager for the chain told What Now Atlanta in an interview Friday.
The quick service restaurant opened its first corporate location in Sandy Springs Saturday, at 1155 Mount Vernon Highway.
Before its Sandy Springs location, Tropical Smoothie was only being franchised.
With corporate locations slated to open in Lithonia and Decatur in the very near future, do not be surprised if you see one opening up near you.
Since being acquired by Buckhead Investment Partners, the organization has made the strategic decision to open more corporate-owned restaurants that offer patrons an environment surrounded by earth-friendly materials, according to Lewis.
The chain’s Sandy Springs location features reclaimed wooden tables for diners.
Where would you like to see a Tropical Smoothie Cafe open next?
4 Responses
I’m a big fan of Tropical Smoothie Cafe and would love to see one open up by us in the Smyrna area. Lot’s of empty retail space over by that new Kroger on South Cobb…just sayin’…
I’m glad to know that we’ll have one near Conyers (Lithonia). It will save me a trip from that horrific Sandy Springs traffic. 🙂
I wish they would cut back on the amount of high sugar items in their smoothies. Other then that, they are ok. The kroger in Smyrna seems like a good location but there is a reason why none of the out parcels and only 3 of the store in that plaza have been developed. Also, I don’t think this business would last more then a year or two in that location (maybe a little longer if it is a corporate owned and operated unit with deeper pockets). Look at the amount of smoothie/ice cream/frozen yougurt shops in Smyrna that have gone under in a relatively short period of time. I also know of one that is barely there and close to folding.
Joe, I’d be interested in hearing why exactly you think so many of those storefronts by the Kroger have gone undeveloped. I’ve been wondering that ever since I moved to the area.
As for Tropical Smoothie Cafe, I do agree with you about the loads of sugar in their drinks. You definitely have to be a responsible consumer, but at least they don’t blatantly lie and call them “healthy” a la Smoothie King. I would also counter your argument slightly because they are MUCH more than a smoothie shop – in fact, the ones I’ve been in seem to do MUCH more business for lunch since they also offer delicious hot sandwiches, wraps, etc. Definitely much more of a true restaurant concept than most smoothie places whose primary offering is drinks.