Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise: Cost, Fees & Earnings
1,651 locations (2025), +9% YoY(Item 20)
A Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise requires an estimated total investment of $275,500 to $770,500, including a $25,000 initial franchise fee (2026 FDD, Item 7). Franchisees pay an ongoing royalty of 6% (Item 6). The 2026 FDD reports a median unit revenue of $931,173 for FY2025 (Item 19).
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Median Revenue (AUV)
$931,173
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 19
Initial Investment
$275,500 – $770,500
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5
Royalty
6%
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Key Facts
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | $275,500 – $770,500Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7 | |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 – $35,000Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5 | |
| Royalty | 6%Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6 | |
| Median Revenue (AUV) | $931,173Source: 2026 FDD, Item 19 | |
| Total Locations | 1,651 (2025)Source: Item 20 |
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Fees
Initial franchise fee(Item 5)
$25,000 – $35,000
Ongoing royalty(Item 6)
6%
National ad / brand fund(Item 6)
5%
Technology fee(Item 6)
$2,148/mo
Buildout / construction(Item 7)
$104,000 – $370,000
Additional Item 5–6 fees (transfer, renewal, area development, and any veteran discounts) are not yet parsed on Franchable — see the brand's FDD for the full fee schedule.
About Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a fast-casual restaurant franchise offering premium, handcrafted smoothies made with fresh fruit and vegetables using proprietary recipes, along with specialty sandwiches, flatbreads, wraps, salads, and bowls. The franchise operates under a customer-driven business model focused on better-for-you food options served in a fun, friendly environment across all dayparts.
What Tropical Smoothie Cafe's FDD Discloses
In 2025, Tropical Smoothie Cafe's franchised system recorded 170 franchised openings, 34 closures (Item 20).
Gross Sales by Performance TierSource: 2026 FDD Item 19
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Explore all brands →AUV Trend — Multi-Year Median Revenue
Additional Item 19 Analysis
Deeper Item 19 Analysis (Charts 3–6)
Openings & Closings, Transfer Rates, Franchise vs Corporate Mix
Tropical Smoothie Cafe vs Competitors
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Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise FAQ
How much does a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise cost?
Per Item 7 of the 2026 FDD Franchise Disclosure Document, the estimated initial investment ranges from $275,500 to $770,500.
What is the Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise fee?
The FDD reports an initial franchise fee of $25,000 to $35,000.
What royalty does Tropical Smoothie Cafe charge?
The FDD reports an ongoing royalty of 6%.
How much revenue does a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise generate?
The 2026 FDD reports a median revenue per unit of $931,173 for fiscal year 2025. Individual results vary.
How much does a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise owner make?
Tropical Smoothie Cafe disclosed median unit revenue of $931,173 in FY2025 (Item 19). It does not disclose unit-level profit, so a reliable owner-income figure can't be drawn from its FDD. Individual results vary.
Can I finance a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise with an SBA loan?
Many franchise purchases are financed with SBA 7(a) loans covering a large share of the total project cost. You can check what you'd qualify for with Franchable's free SBA prequalification.
Data sourced from the brand's Franchise Disclosure Document. Franchable is not affiliated with or endorsed by Tropical Smoothie Cafe. This is not an offer to sell a franchise. Individual results vary.