1851

Vibrant, lively and exotic, <a href="https://yourtuesday.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fat-tuesday-promises-good-vibes-only-to-the-caribbean-cruise-faring-with-more-locations-around-the-gulf-of-mexico-2708621" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fat Tuesday</a> has been making a splash in the space traditionally reserved for conventional bar concepts ever since its founding in 1984. Last year alone, Fat Tuesday sold nearly 5 million frozen drinks – Fat Tuesday’s calling card—and has expanded to 35 locations across North America since it arrived on the scene. Guests to Fat Tuesday locations know they can expect a one of a kind atmosphere, all while sipping a high-octane beverage or shopping the brand’s spirited line of apparel, party gear and souvenir vessels.That in-demand, vibrant experience is exactly what the brand is planning for the Caribbean market, especially with the kick-off of cruise season.Fat Tuesday departs from competitors because its offering is not merely what’s on the menu or the hanger—rather, the brand has expanded into an international phenomenon thanks to its ability to capture the uniquely festive spirit that frozen drinks bring. That spirit has proved welcoming across demographics and markets: Fat Tuesday already has locations in popular vacation destinations such as New Orleans, Miami, Key West, Cozumel and the Honduran island of Roatan. Wherever guests dream of frozen drinks, Fat Tuesday will come.“Our offering extends beyond premium frozen beverages,” explained Chief Development Officer James Vitrano. “With over 35 Fat Tuesday locations and counting across North America, we’ve demonstrated that our locations embody a way of life that’s in high-demand across markets.”That in-demand, unique experience — and one of a kind business model — is exactly what the brand is planning for the Caribbean market, especially with the kick-off of cruise season.Vincent Lobue is a Fat Tuesday franchisee in Roatan who knows what cruise season can do for Fat Tuesday franchise owners. He started as a bartender in 1985 at the brand’s flagship in New Orleans. Ten years later, Lobue opened two Fat Tuesday locations in Cozumel, Mexico. Since 2008, he has operated his third Fat Tuesday location in Roatan—directly inside the Carnival cruise line piers.Lobue explained that the playful atmosphere and brilliant array of tropical beverages and merch are just what vacationers are looking for, especially those who are enjoying a cruise.“The brand is famous for our frozen drinks and a warm, tropical vacation just screams that,” said Lobue. “Our main product is a premium, high-quality daiquiri mix that keeps the cruise passenger in a happy place while in port. There’s nothing like a little 190 Octane to help you with your Spanish and bartering skills!”That laid-back and festivity-friendly approach to vacation is emblematic of the Caribbean’s tourist culture. In this regard, Fat Tuesday is impressively positioned as a growing franchise opportunity.“The Caribbean is all about a vacation mentality,” Lobue said. “The drinking age is 18. For those on vacation, they want every day and night to be like Mardi Gras. That’s Fat Tuesday.”Vitrano built on this.“Fat Tuesday is uniquely poised for strong growth in the Caribbean—originating in subtropical New Orleans means that Fat Tuesday grew to a lifestyle, beyond-bar concept that aligns with Caribbean consumer demand,” Vitrano said. “Our financials reflect that. Fat Tuesday locations average $1.88 million in gross sales, with an average gross margin of 80.7 percent.”Lobue also explained that Fat Tuesday daiquiri mixes are aseptically packaged, meaning they can be stored at room temperature. “Fat Tuesday mixes are therefore perfect for this environment, from production to shipping to consumption,” Lobue said.In addition to cabana-ready beverages, Fat Tuesday Roatan also serves food, an offering that Lobue said drives 30 percent of sales.“We are heavy on food, which means lots of seating and square footage is needed,” Lobue said. “We’re a four-acre beach club with 1,800-plus lounge chairs, 700-plus table and bar seating, and our Mahogany Bar pier receives half a million cruise passengers per year with up to 10,000 passengers per day.”Three DJs and a reggae band keep the energy up.This fun vibe means that cruises drive a considerable portion of the Roatan Fat Tuesday’s business, and Lobue shared that business is similar for his Cozumel locations. Rather than being an issue of seasonal success, this is great news for the brand. Since there are numerous points to embark on cruises around the Gulf of Mexico, Lobue explained, no airline tickets are needed for most passengers, which means steady business.“Cruising is now year-round for these markets,” Lobue said.Bottoms up.The average investment range to own a Fat Tuesday is $479,000 to $1.08 million. For more information about franchising opportunities, click <a href="https://yourtuesday.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fat-tuesday-promises-good-vibes-only-to-the-caribbean-cruise-faring-with-more-locations-around-the-gulf-of-mexico-2708621" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fat Tuesday Promises Good Vibes Only to the Caribbean Cruise-Faring With More Locations Around the Gulf of Mexico

1851 Franchise

The frozen beverage-meets-festivity brand wants to bring more frozen drink decadence to the Caribbean market.


This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

fat-tuesday-promises-good-vibes-only-to-the-caribbean-cruise-faring-with-more-locations-around-the-gulf-of-mexico

CapitalSpring

Graphic with orange chart and hand pointing at graph

CapitalSpring Closes on Initial $505 Million of $1 Billion Target just Two Months After the Launch of its Seventh Flagship Investment Fund 

capitalspring-closes-505m-fund-vii

Children's Lighthouse

How Families Are Building Brighter Futures Together With Children’s Lighthouse

how-families-are-building-brighter-futures-together-with-childrens-lighthouse

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Franchise - Paul and Will Harris - 1851 Franchise

Keeping the Crystal Coast Comfortable: How a Father-Son Duo Brought One Hour HVAC to Their Community

one-hour-heating-ac-franchise-paul-will-harris-crystal-coast

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions: A Recession-Resistant Franchise Opportunity for Entrepreneurs

caring-transitions-a-recession-resistant-franchise-opportunity-for-entrepreneurs

Minuteman Press International

L-R: Bob Titus (CEO), Eric Shank (Catonsville, MD), Bob Heimbuch (RVP), and Nick Titus (President).

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Eric Shank Recognized at World Expo

minuteman-press-franchise-owner-eric-shank-earns-standing-ovation-at-world-expo-for-growth-in-catonsville-md

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

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Crunch Fitness Franchise - Sixth Street Minority Stake - CR Fitness - 1851 Franchise

Sixth Street Takes Minority Stake in CR Fitness, the Largest Crunch Fitness Franchisee

cr-fitness-crunch-fitness-sixth-street-investment

houses, Why Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

Why the Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

how-franchises-outperform-independent-business-2025-tech-data

Photo of Happinest Brands teams standing together in front of branded vehicles

Happinest Brands Continues Strong 2025 Trajectory With Major Q3 Growth and Strategic Wins

happinest-brands-q3-franchise-growth

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown - 1851 Franchise

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown

franchise-community-support-shutdown

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

Why Franchise Due Diligence Is Like Marriage: An Interview with Joe Manuszak of UNITS Moving and Portable Storage

joe-manuszak-franchise-due-diligence-units-portable-storage

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

woof-gang-bakery-grooming-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

The Decision To Franchise: A Founder’s Playbook From Bee Organized’s Kristen Christian

the-decision-to-franchise-a-founders-playbook-from-bee-organizeds-kristen-christian

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

Fat Tuesday Promises Good Vibes Only to the Caribbean Cruise-Faring With More Locations Around the Gulf of Mexico

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS