Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Owners Mike and Susan Tate welcome hungry diners to their new restaurant venture, Tropical Smoothie Café. This is the Tate’s first restaurant but the franchise based out of Destin, Florida, already has plenty of fans with their blend of healthy favorites prepared fresh to order.

Mike and Susan Tate made the decision to go with a Tropical Smoothie Café location after investigating franchises last year. Mike, a pharmacy representative, looked at the options available when the company he’d been with for 26 years was bought out. Making the decision to be business owners, the Tate’s both knew they enjoyed eating at the Tropical Smoothie Café in the Dothan area on previous visits.

“We always ate there- it was one of our absolute favorites- so we both agreed we wanted to bring this to the Inverness area,” said Susan Tate.

They searched for retail space in the 280 corridor and Mike spent six months training and visiting Tropical Smoothie Café locations. A drive-thru was an essential component to their restaurant plan. The entire concept is based on healthy, fresh food ready in a relatively short amount of time. The Inverness Corner location facing Valleydale Road was an ideal spot.

With 20 new employees and the goal of “wowing” visitors with a wide variety of menu options, Tropical Smoothie Café opened January 29.

“We are so much more than smoothies and I think that surprises people,“ explained Mike Tate.

Breakfast items include wraps with ingredients such as eggs, ham, bacon or chicken, along with cheeses such as pepper jack or American. Flatbreads plus ciabattas are available along with smoothie options like their triple berry oat smoothie.

Lunch and dinner favorites include wraps, bistro sandwiches, grilled flatbreads and salads. The most popular wrap so far has been the Buffalo Chicken Wrap with chicken, low fat mozzarella, tomatoes, romaine, buffalo sauce and light ranch on a white tortilla.

Smoothies, of course, put this chain on the map, with selections available in categories such as lowfat, “supercharged”, super fruit, coffee flavors, “indulgent” and those with supplements added. Supplement varieties include whey protein, stress defense, vitamin C immune complex, weight management, and heart healthy flax among others.

The Tate’s are excited about the catering options they have to share. “We can make some wonderful, appealing platters,” said Susan Tate. “These fresh ingredients look great and are a great healthy option for whatever size group you may need to entertain.”

Future plans include an outdoor patio area and involvement with the community in fundraising efforts. The restaurant will proudly be part of National Flip Flop Day on June 14 when anyone coming by wearing flip flops will receive a free smoothie. The location will be collecting donations for Camp Sunshine that day as well.

“We’re just thrilled to be here, close to home, with our new location,” said Susan Tate. “We know diners will be in love with our menu and we can’t wait to be a favorite dining spot for our community.”