FRANCHISE·WATCH·DESK

FDD ITEM 20 · FISCAL 2013–2025

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Item 20: outlets, exits & growth

In its latest FDD Item 20 (fiscal 2025, from the 2026 FDD), Tropical Smoothie Cafe reported 1,650 franchised outlets at year end. 34 of 1,514 franchised outlets open at the start of the year left the system (exit rate 2.2%, fiscal 2025), while 170 new outlets opened. Systemwide units moved +20.3% over 2023–2025.

Item 20 · outlet status by yearas filed
Status (FTC)201320142015202320242025
Outlets at start3293604131,1981,3721,515
Opened435965180162170
Transfers342820777981
Terminations5242521
Non-renewals001101
Reacquired by franchisor000000
Ceased — other reasons84831412
Outlets at end3604134651,3721,5151,651
Net change+31+53+52+174+143+136
How the exit count is computedfiscal 2025

21 terminations + 1 non-renewals + 12 ceased (other) = 34 exits ÷ 1,514 at start = 2.2%

These are the three FTC Item 20 statuses in which a franchised outlet left the system — including voluntary non-renewals and outlets that ceased for other reasons, which can include sales or absorption into another franchise. Transfers (81) are resales, not exits; reacquisitions by the franchisor (0) are tracked separately. There is no official “failure rate”, and not every exit is a closure or a failure; Item 20 does not say why any outlet left. On a small starting base, a single exit moves this rate sharply.

Franchised outlets by state · fiscal 202551 states/territories
StateFranchisedCompany-owned
FL217—
TX153—
MI124—
VA124—
NC81—
GA771
MD70—
OH69—
IL68—
NY62—
PA48—
SC47—
TN41—
OK39—
AL33—
AR32—
KY32—
MA30—
MO29—
NJ28—
WI26—
IN24—
NV23—
AZ22—
LA18—
UT18—
KS15—
CO14—
IA12—
MS11—
DE7—
NH7—
RI7—
CT6—
DC6—
ID6—
SD6—
ND4—
NE3—
NM3—
CA2—
ME2—
MN2—
WA1—
WV1—
AK0—
HI0—
MT0—
OR0—
VT0—
WY0—

The Tropical Smoothie Cafe validation checklist

questions built from this brand's own filings · read them all on the profile

Want this as a checklist you can take to the calls?

I'll email you the printable version, and tell you if Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s numbers move — a new filing, a rising exit rate, a distress signal. Unsubscribe in one click.

Before you sign anythingfree · 30 min · no commission

A broker is usually paid by the franchisor to place you. I'm paid only by you, never by a franchisor you're considering — and the job is pressure-testing Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s numbers, including talking you out of a bad deal.

Don Drummond, CPA — Virginia #43775 · what I charge

Book a free 30-minute call →