Who Owns Tropical Smoothie Cafe?
Blackstone, the investment firm that bought Tropical Smoothie Cafe in 2024 in a deal reported at around $2 billion.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe history
Tropical Smoothie Cafe started in 1993 as a smoothie stand in Tallahassee, Florida. The first full cafe with food opened in Atlanta in 1997, and the chain began franchising soon after.
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1993 | Smoothie stand opens in Tallahassee, Florida |
| 1997 | First cafe with food opens in Atlanta |
| 2024 | Blackstone buys Tropical Smoothie Cafe from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners |
Why Blackstone bought it
Tropical Smoothie Cafe has been one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in the US, with strong sales from smoothies, wraps and flatbreads and a franchise model that needs little company money to open new cafes.
See the menu
Smoothie and food prices are on the Tropical Smoothie Cafe menu.
Related Questions
Is Tropical Smoothie Cafe publicly traded?
No. It is privately owned by Blackstone funds.
When did Blackstone buy Tropical Smoothie Cafe?
In 2024.
Where did Tropical Smoothie Cafe start?
As a smoothie stand in Tallahassee, Florida in 1993.
Where is Tropical Smoothie Cafe headquartered?
Atlanta, Georgia.
Is Tropical Smoothie Cafe a franchise?
Yes. Nearly all cafes are franchised.
How many Tropical Smoothie Cafes are there?
More than 1,500.
More on Tropical Smoothie Cafe
About this guide. USA Food Menu is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Details come from public sources and were checked in October 2026. See current prices on the Tropical Smoothie Cafe menu.


