R E C O N N E C T
R E C O N N E C T
BY KERRY PIPES
The Sky Is the Limit
Tropical Smoothie franchisee and AD adds new concept
Sam Osborne is the longest-running franchisee in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe system . That says a lot about him , as well as the brand . He ’ s been a part of the smoothie chain for nearly two decades , as both an operator and an area developer in Florida . He still loves every day , has added a new concept , and plans to expand further this year .
When we interviewed Osborne 8 years ago ( Q1 2009 ), he was a 36-year-old operator who had latched on to a growing concept called Tropical Smoothie Cafe . The Tallahassee-based franchisee also owned the area developer rights to the Gainesville and Orlando territories , overseeing 22 stores and operating two units himself . This was just as the Great Recession began wreaking havoc , especially in Florida . When funding got tight , says Osborne , he simply hunkered down to weather the storm .
Since then , he ’ s closed two underperforming units that were in non-traditional locations , took on two transfers , and added a unit , bringing his total to 23 today . “ Financing is finally opening back
continued on page 36
NAME : Sam Osborne
TITLE : Owner , Tropical Smoothie Cafe / Tropical Smoothie Area Development ; co-owner , Island Wing Company
COMPANY : Tropical Smoothie Cafe / Tropical Smoothie Area Development / Island Wing Co .
NO . OF UNITS : 1 Tropical Smoothie Cafe ; 23 Tropical Smoothie area development ( 4 more in development ); 1 Island Wing Company
AGE : 44
FAMILY : Girlfriend of 5 years ( she has a son , 22 , and a daughter , 19 ), and I have a daughter , 10
YEARS IN FRANCHISING : 19
YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION : TSC store , 19 ; TSC area developer , 18 ; IWC , 1
32