The newest Tropical Smoothie Cafe location in Cape Coral, at 333 S.W. 10th Place, is now the third in the city owned by father-and-son Ray and Andrew Howell. It is the 1,600th location for the franchise nationwide. 

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A local favorite that offers up healthy drinks and eats recently opened a new location in Cape Coral, while also marking a milestone for the franchise. 

The newest Tropical Smoothie Cafe location in Cape Coral, at 333 S.W. 10th Place, is now the third in the city owned by father-and-son Ray and Andrew Howell. It is the 1,600th location nationwide. 

“It’s exciting to have our store be this milestone number,” Andrew said. 

Ray said since being franchisees dating back to 2013, they’ve been part of a few different milestone numbers for the cafe. They opened the 300th store and the first drive-thru for the chain, and also own the 100th location, which they acquired after it opened. 

“We really did try and step it up because we realize this is something special,” Ray said. “We’re definitely brand ambassadors.

“Our customer base in Lee County is very excited about Tropical Smoothie. We have one of the strongest markets in the chain here. Our goal is to open (more stores locally). Our community really has embraced us, which I think has a lot to do with our community involvement.”

The Howells now own 16 total Tropical Smoothie Cafes throughout the state including 10 in Lee County and six in Orlando. 

Here in Lee County, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and the Howells have been long-time sponsors of the Tommy Bohanon Football Camp, and create many job opportunities for residents and youth. 

The Howells also credit District Manager Don MacDonald as being a “phenomenal” member of the team, along with store managers. 

“Almost every high school, middle school, elementary school throughout the county we work with,” Andrew said. “All of the spring training baseball teams that come down here. We’re just really involved in the community, and it goes a long way.” 

Tropical Smoothie Cafe and the Howells were also heavily involved in Cape Coral’s Red, White & BOOM! Fourth of July celebration, and even hosted beach cleanup events following recent hurricanes. 

“We’re a decent-sized brand, but at the heart of it, it’s all local franchisees that own a handful of stores,” Andrew said. “We’re here living in the area and seeing our customers when we go to say Publix. While we’re a larger brand, it’s nice for people to realize we’re right down the street.”

Ray, who lives in Fort Myers, said opening stores locally is by design. 

“In other markets we maybe didn’t do as well because we weren’t involved in the community,” he said. “When I go into a store wearing my Topical Smoothie Cafe shirt, people will say how much they love our product, and I always ask what is their favorite. It’s such a positive experience, which is awesome. I know our culture is very strong. We are a lot of kids’ first job.”

Caring for their employees is something the Howells believe really sets them apart. Ray said they like to treat their employees as if they’re going to be famous someday, so they can have Tropical Smoothie Cafe as a first job experience. 

“Our managers, our role is more of a mentorship,” Ray said. “We mentor these kids on the basics, and we have a great product, which obviously has a lot to do with it. We always laugh and ask the team, ‘Did you make it with love?’ You can taste the difference. If people take pride in what they do, they just do a better job.”

Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers healthy, tasty products, from smoothies to bowls to food and more. 

“You can have flavor without sacrificing health,” Andrew said. “We’re not to the point where it can taste like chalk — we balance on that flavorful-healthy line. Our bowls are popular and really, really good. People love them.”

Andrew said the most rewarding part of being franchisees ties back into their employees. 

“I like seeing the development of our people,” he said. “Sometimes you see people start out and grow into employees running $2 million cafes. You get to watch them grow as a leader. Other times we see young men and women work for a few years before going off to college and reach their goals and become, say, an architect. Our team all grows together, and it’s nice to see that and the impact we have.”

Ray said the opportunity is there to grow if people put in the work to do so, using the example of a now husband-and-wife team that started off as entry-level employees and now run a store that generates millions, and is a top-15 store in the entire franchise. They are also always willing to hear from their employees on ways to be more efficient and improve. 

“We’re willing to work with and develop employees for success, and we see the potential in people,” Ray said. “We have an employee running one of our stores that couldn’t get a promotion at her previous job, and now that store is having the highest sales in its history. This is what keeps Andrew and I motivated and wanting to grow. I’m not money-motivated, I’m goal-oriented. I find it really rewarding to give people a chance and to see them excel.”

The manager of the new Cape Coral store had to leave the company previously, as her spouse was dealing with some health issues. The Howells welcomed her back with open arms to now run the new location. 

“We kept a spot for her, and it all aligned,” Ray said. “We put our people first and community first.”

Being a father/son ownership, Ray said the growth he and his son have made together, and how their roles have changed and developed, has been rewarding. 

Ray said he’s gone from running the company, to now Andrew being in the driver’s seat. 

“We’ve done a lot of evolving, which as a parent, I think is great,” Ray said. “Your goal is to see your (child) excel and exceed you, and I think Andrew is. 

“We’re all about character and integrity, and that’s what I taught Andrew. That’s what he does, and it shows in all of the volunteering he does, the boards that he’s on. He’s a better leader and is better at critical thinking that has led to our growth and success. We’re really a team. We talk about decisions together, and even involve our people. We do what’s right, first.”

Andrew said over the years and the growth, there’s been a synergy between he and his father that helps them work well together. 

Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s new Cape Coral location is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

For more information, visit www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com and search via the “find a cafe” tab.

To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com