Tropical Smoothie Café Appoints Charles Watson as New Vice President of Franchise Development

Tropical-themed smoothie and sandwich chain strengthens national expansion efforts

Destin, Fla. - Tropical Smoothie Café, a tropical-themed smoothie and sandwich chain with more than 285 locations, announced today that Charles Watson has joined the company as Vice President of Franchise Development. In his new role, Watson will be responsible for awarding Tropical Smoothie Café franchise opportunities to a targeted pool of candidates in the United States. Watson will report to Jim Valentino, president and chief operating officer of Tropical Smoothie Café.

"We are thrilled to welcome Charles to the Tropical Smoothie Café team," said Valentino. "I am confident that with his expertise he will help us take Tropical Smoothie Café's aggressive national expansion to the next level."

Watson, a seasoned franchise development professional, brings a wealth of experience in field operations, marketing and sales, and training and development, among other areas. Having worked as a Senior Broker in the Investments Advisor Division for Hospitality Real Estate Counselors, the nation's premier real estate advisory and brokerage organization, as well as in multiple management positions including roles with US Franchise Systems, Inc. Wyndham Hotel Group, and the InterContinental Hotels Group, Watson has established himself as a leader in franchising, real estate and development.

"Tropical Smoothie Café is the perfect opportunity to work with a proven franchisor and enhance a franchise network that is poised for aggressive growth in many markets throughout the United States," Watson said. "I look forward to promoting the brand and driving its success well into the future."

Watson holds an MBA from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Science in Sales & Marketing from Cornell University.

Tropical Smoothie Café is aggressively expanding its franchise base with plans to add another 50 locations by 2011. The new locations will increase Tropical Smoothie Café's franchised locations in the United States from 285 to more than 300. Calling for new locations in large and small markets across the United States, Tropical Smoothie Café's expansion will occur both through multi-unit franchise agreements and single location openings.

About Tropical Smoothie Café

Established in Destin, Fla., in 1997, Tropical Smoothie Café has taken the smoothie concept to the next level by offering diners a healthy alternative to typical fast food. The concept, which introduced food in 1999, provides consumers with a variety of high-quality real-fruit smoothies, specialty wraps, grilled flatbread and gourmet sandwiches and salads. The company also caters. Tropical Smoothie Café includes menu options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ranked 127 out of 500 and rated one of the fastest growing franchises by Entrepreneur Magazine, the concept currently has more than 285 locations in 34 states. Plans call for 300 locations by the end of 2011.