ScorecardWorth It?HistoryDatabaseCompareDistress Signals
QSRLimited DataItem 19: ✓ DisclosedHigh Confidence · 100/100FDD data: 2025 · Fresh

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Cost and Profit

FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

Based on 2025 FDD · 10 filings in corpus

FranchiseIQ Score
65
B
Moderate-Low Risk
Composite score from 3 risk dimensions. Click for breakdown ↓
Health Score
C
59/100
6/7 metrics · High confidence
Full analysis unlocks:
✓ Cash-on-Cash return
✓ Payback period
✓ SBA default rate
✓ Red flags assessment
✓ Comparable franchises
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Cost and profit at a glance

How much does a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise cost and make?

Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $341K – $815K. Reported owner economics show $19K. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.

Startup Cost
$341K – $815K
Total initial investment
Profit / Revenue
$19K
FDD Item 19 signal
Payback Signal
29.9 years
Modeled return metric
SBA Default Rate
1.4%
Loan repayment history
Compare franchise costs →Estimate franchise ROI →Check SBA default rates →Browse QSR franchises →Compare similar franchises →

Quick fee read: $35K franchise fee · 11% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.

Free decision snapshot

Before you talk to Tropical Smoothie Cafe, check the numbers buyers usually miss.

The unlocked report ties this brand's FDD disclosures to SBA outcomes, Item 20 movement, fee load, missing-data labels, and buyer assumptions — so you can decide whether this is worth deeper diligence.

FDD disclosure qualitySBA default outcomesItem 20 unit movementFee/cost stressComparable brands
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Total Investment Range$341K – $815K
MinMid: $578KMax

Key Metrics

Franchise Fee
$35K
Royalty Rate
6%
Ad Fund Rate
5%
Total Burden
11.0%
Royalty + ad fund
Units (2023)
174
Net Unit Growth
→ -
Year over year
Cash-on-Cash Return
3.3%
Annual estimated return
Payback Period
29.9 yrs
Break-even timeline
SBA Default Rate
1.4%
vs ~7.2% industry avg
Median Revenue
$966K
Item 19 disclosed
Red Flags Assessment
MEDIUM: Royalty burden above 10%
MED ×1
Premium Data

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CoC ReturnPayback PeriodSBA Default RateMedian RevenueEbitda MarginRisk Score
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Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe vs. QSR Average

MetricTropical Smoothie CafeQSR Avg
SBA Default Rate1.4%▲9.4%
Cash-on-Cash Return3.3%▼14.2%
Total Investment$578K$380K

Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.

SBA Loan Performance

Real lending data from SBA 7(a) loans (2016-2026). 357 loans across 35 states.

Default Rate
1.4%
Low Risk
Total SBA Loans
357
35 states
Total Loan Volume
$157.7M
SBA 7(a) approved
Avg Loan Size
$442K
Per franchisee
Loan Status Breakdown
109
Paid in Full (31%)
212
Currently Active
2
Charged Off (0.3% by $)
$401K
Total Charged Off ($)
● Paid● Active● Charged Off

Source: SBA 7(a) loan data via FOIA. Default rate = charged-off loans / total originated. Industry avg default rate ~7.2%.

Compare

Tropical Smoothie Cafe vs Chick-fil-A, Inc.Tropical Smoothie Cafe vs McDonald'sTropical Smoothie Cafe vs Get Fried

Similar Franchises · QSR

Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Revenue Only
$427K–$2.3M
McDonald's
Revenue Only
$1.5M–$2.7M
Get Fried
Revenue Only
$102K–$505K
Chick-fil-A, Inc.
$427K – $2.3M
McDonald's
$1.5M – $2.7M
Get Fried
$102K – $505K
MAGNOLIA BAKERY
$422K – $1.2M

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Questions to Ask Before You Sign

5 data-driven questions every Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise buyer should ask.

  1. 1.What is Tropical Smoothie Cafe's SBA default rate compared to its competitors?Learn more →
  2. 2.Does Tropical Smoothie Cafe disclose Item 19 financial performance representations?Learn more →
  3. 3.What is the net unit growth trend over the past 3 years?Learn more →
  4. 4.What is the franchisee termination and transfer rate per Item 20?Learn more →
  5. 5.What do the FDD litigation disclosures (Item 3) reveal about franchisor legal history?Learn more →
Generate attorney questions for Tropical Smoothie Cafe →Validation call guide →
Data sourced from publicly filed Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) submitted to state franchise regulators. SBA loan data from public SBA 7(a) records. Information reflects the most recent FDD filing in our database and may not reflect current terms. Always verify with the franchisor's current FDD before making any investment decision. Not legal or financial advice.

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