Published on: June 24, 2020
After working as a sales and marketing VP for 20 years, Mike Haines had racked up thousands of airline miles, but not a great work-life balance. “I traveled four or five days a week, week in, week out,” Haines said, and it was getting to be too much. He began exploring becoming a franchisee. He knew he wanted a career change where he could be his own boss. He was drawn to the Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise family because of its great owner support, and because it was a chance to give back—by employing young people from the community who love the brand and the Tropical Smoothie vibe. “The product appeals to the teen demographic,” Mike said. “When they find us, they love us, they come back to us on a regular basis.” It helps our cafes have great teams who believe in the Tropical Smoothie vision. If you’re looking for new career options, Mike’s story, and his reasons for choosing a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise opportunity, may resonate.
Keeping it local with a proven brand.
“For me, it was really a lifestyle choice, lifestyle change,” Haines said. “Tropical Smoothie was a franchise business that I felt the values aligned, the product appealed. I knew I would feel great about representing it to my friends, family, my neighbors as I started opening up cafes in the area that I’ve lived in for nearly 20 years.” Tropical Smoothie is recognized as one of the best franchises to own—ranked #17 in 2019 Franchise Times’ Fast & Serious and #18 in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2020 Franchise 500.1
Bringing best practices to a new business.
Mike has now been a Franchise Owner with Tropical Smoothie Cafe since 2015 when he agreed to open 10 restaurants in North Atlanta, and he hasn’t looked back. In 2019, he won the “Runs Great Cafes” Award, created to acknowledge the exceptional work of the company’s franchisees.
According to Mike, “My background in sales, marketing and engaging consumers through a variety of communication channels and platforms provided me with the experience and knowledge I need to own my own franchise business.”
Pivoting to provide in-demand service.
His tech background has helped him adapt his franchise business during the pandemic as well. “Mike’s background in tech was very helpful when TSC began offering delivery and curbside pickup,” said Michael Lapid, Chief Information and Digital Officer. He was an early proponent of using third-party delivery platforms, enabling streamlined no-contact pickup and delivery options to keep bringing fresh, flavorful food to Tropical Smoothie Cafe guests during COVID-19.
If you’re considering a career change, joining the Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise family offers unique rewards. Steadfast owner support in any market conditions, strong community ties and a great work-life balance make it one of the top franchises to own. Fill out the form below to learn more about franchise ownership.
