By Andrew Welliver
A casual location to get a refreshing beverage is now open for the summer in Cicero.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe celebrated its grand opening with specials and promotions to welcome guests to the new establishment.
The promotion included invitations to veterans and first responders to come and sample items on May 15 and 16 to give back to the community and the first 50 guests in line at the grand opening on May 18 won free smoothies for a year.
Then on May 19, dine-in guests could purchase $1.99 discounted smoothies, $3.99 flatbreads on May 20, and $5 flatbread combos on May 21.
“We have a great brand, product, and cause to give back to the community,” said Roger Wagner, owner and franchisee of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
Wagner said the promotions provide opportunities for guests as well as employees to learn about the café’s menu while also giving back.
“We aim to give away the food we use to train the employees,” he said.
Wagner, who has other locations across Central New York, said he had several reasons to want to open in Cicero.
“We are very excited to bring the Tropical Smoothie Cafe brand to Cicero,” said Wagner. “This brand brings better-for-you eating options to Cicero in a fast-casual, grab-and-go environment which is an element that the community has little exposure to. The Tropical Smoothie Cafe brand compliments our portfolio and offers products that keep guests coming back. Being a native to the area, I felt it was important to give back to our loyal fans and celebrate this momentous location.”
Before joining Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Wagner worked with fast-casual and quick service brands all over the country before settling with his family in central New York State.
W2B Management began their Tropical Smoothie Cafe journey two years ago, and this is their fifth cafe in the state of New York.
The group has plans to open five additional locations in the following years. Most recently, Wagner was honored at the Tropical Smoothie Cafe convention with the Emerging Leader award for his hands-on operational style and commitment to the brand.
The grand opening also included a donation to a charitable partner of Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
The first $1,000 that the store makes will be donated to “No Kid Hungry.”
“Making sure that kids don’t go hungry is important,” Wagner said.
With Cicero marking his fifth location, Wagner knows how popular this brand is in the area, and he notices how customers react to their products.
“Every time someone has one of our smoothies they say, ‘Wow, I’ve never had a smoothie like this before,’” Wagner said.
The grand opening was well attended.
Among those checking out the new locaiton was Jaiden Asch.
“The free smoothies were a major incentive for coming to the grand opening,” he said.
