1851

<a href="https://www.blackstone.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=blackstone-acquires-tropical-smoothie-cafe-setting-the-stage-for-further-expansion-2726023" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Blackstone</a> will acquire prominent fast-casual franchisor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tropicalsmoothiefranchise.com/learn-more/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=blackstone-acquires-tropical-smoothie-cafe-setting-the-stage-for-further-expansion-2726023" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tropical Smoothie Cafe</a>, the private equity giant said Wednesday. Its aim is to boost Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s already fast growth through continued investment in marketing strategies, operational improvements and menu enhancements,&nbsp;Blackstone said in a <a href="https://www.blackstone.com/news/press/blackstone-to-acquire-tropical-smoothie-cafe-to-propel-leading-franchisors-continued-expansion/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=blackstone-acquires-tropical-smoothie-cafe-setting-the-stage-for-further-expansion-2726023" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">press release</a>.Tropical Smoothie Cafe, known for its range of smoothies, wraps and sandwiches, was first founded in 1997 with a single location on a Florida beach. It has since grown to over&nbsp;1,400 locations, 175 of which opened in 2023 alone.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-wallace-a1562210/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=blackstone-acquires-tropical-smoothie-cafe-setting-the-stage-for-further-expansion-2726023" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Peter Wallace</a>, senior managing director of Blackstone's Private Equity division, commented on the Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s growth and the customer loyalty it’s earned over the years.&nbsp;“Blackstone has deep experience helping accelerate the expansion of leading franchise businesses as one of our highest-conviction investment areas,” Wallace said in the release. “We believe our capital and resources will help position Tropical Smoothie Cafe for continued success and innovation for the benefit of its guests and franchisees.”Blackstone pointed to Hilton Hotels and SERVPRO —&nbsp;two companies it acquired in the past —&nbsp;as examples of the firm’s “successfully propelling the growth of leading franchisors.”Although the financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed, Reuters reported that Tropical Smoothie Cafe was exploring&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/tropical-smoothie-cafe-explore-2-billion-sale-sources-2023-12-21/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=blackstone-acquires-tropical-smoothie-cafe-setting-the-stage-for-further-expansion-2726023" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">selling the brand for about $2 billion</a> in December 2023.&nbsp;This acquisition is occurring on the heels of a successful Q1 for the smoothie company, where the brand saw increased sales and introduced several well-received menu items, including tropic bowls.&nbsp;“The key to this business is delivering an outstanding experience for each guest who walks through our doors,” Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleslyonwatson/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=blackstone-acquires-tropical-smoothie-cafe-setting-the-stage-for-further-expansion-2726023" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Charles Watson</a> said in the statement. “From high-quality products to exceptional guest service, our franchisees make our mission to become a beloved brand a reality day in and day out, and we are thrilled to see how the brand will continue to grow with Blackstone’s outstanding global resources behind it.”Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit <a href="https://www.1851growthclub.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=blackstone-acquires-tropical-smoothie-cafe-setting-the-stage-for-further-expansion-2726023" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Private equity firm Blackstone will acquire Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Blackstone Acquires Tropical Smoothie Cafe: Fueling Expansion

1851 Franchise

The private equity giant has acquired fast-growing franchisor Tropical Smoothie Cafe, aiming to accelerate its expansion through investment in marketing, operations and menu enhancements.

Blackstone Acquires Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Setting The Stage for Further Expansion

blackstone-acquires-tropical-smoothie-cafe-setting-the-stage-for-further-expansion

BooXkeeping

image of booxkeeping franchise graduation present

Why a BooXkeeping Franchise Might Be the Smartest Graduation Gift You Can Give

booxkeeping-franchise-graduation-gift

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

image of kidstrong franchisees NFL player Shaun Wade and his former Team USA Heptathlete wife Jordan

Why This Athlete Couple Chose To Open a KidStrong Franchise

nfl-player-shaun-wade-kidstrong-franchise-georgia

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Team of home inspectors exiting branded HomeTeam Inspection Service vehicle

HomeTeam Inspection Service Offers Franchise Opportunity With No Experience Required

hometeam-franchise-training

Comfort Keepers

image of comfort keepers employees franchise

Comfort Keepers® Partners With PocketRN to Enhance Dementia Care Nationwide

comfort-keepers-pocketrn-dementia-care-partnership

Right at Home

Right at Home Franchise - Q3 2025 Momentum - 1851 Franchise

Right at Home Continues Momentum as It Closes Out the Third Quarter and Looks Ahead To Hit Its Annual Signings and Openings Goal by the End of the Year

right-at-home-franchise-q3-2025

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Photo of Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza franchisee Lily Wilford

Entrepreneur: This 18-Year-Old Saves Babysitting Money for College — Then Decided to Buy a Business Instead

18-year-old-franchise-owner-lily-wilford

Amazon outage, AWS outage, Amazon AWS logo

The Day the Cloud Stalled: How Amazon's Outage Impacted Franchise Economy

amazon-aws-outage-franchise-impact-travel-dining-failure

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

image of michael panos and michel panos, owners of mellow mushroom in Atlanta

The Panos Family’s Role in Preserving Mellow Mushroom’s Character — and Expanding in Atlanta

mellow-mushroom-franchise-panos-restaurant-group-metro-atlanta

graphic image of an 1851 franchisee spotlight brayden and johnny steven of teriyaki madness

Blackstone Acquires Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Setting The Stage for Further Expansion

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS