Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Café has appointed Barry Schnur as chief financial and administrative officer. In addition to his roles leading the company’s fiscal functions and day-to-day operations, Schnur will play a significant role in developing and implementing technology initiatives for the franchise system.
“Barry’s extensive technology background and experience leading software companies makes him a valuable addition to our executive team,” says Mike Rotondo, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Café. “He has a passion for creating customer-focused technology that drives business growth, which is exactly the expertise we need right now, as we are growing aggressively and introducing several major technology initiatives, including our new mobile ordering and payment app, and Jolt, a new café management tool.”
Schnur brings more than 20 years of experience developing and implementing enterprise information systems, including 10 years at software companies. Prior to joining Tropical Smoothie Café, Schnur was senior vice president of customer success at IgnitionOne, a provider of cloud-based, digital marketing and advertising technology solutions, where he led all customer-facing functions for Fortune 500 brands. He also has served on the executive team at Silverpop, an Atlanta-based, SaaS digital marketing provider, where he was senior vice president of operations.
Tropical Smoothie Café reported its strongest year of growth in 2015 with same-stores sales of 11.25% and signed franchise agreements to develop 199 new cafes across the U.S. This year, the food and smoothie franchise plans to exceed 550 restaurants nationwide. By 2018, Tropical Smoothie Café plans to have 800 cafés open across the U.S.
Tropical Smoothie Café’s aggressive franchise growth is backed by the entrepreneurs at the BIP Franchise Accelerator, a division of venture capital firm BIP Capital, which invested in the brand in 2010. In addition to Tropical Smoothie Café, the BIP portfolio includes Tin Drum Asian Kitchen, which has grown to 13 locations in Georgia and Florida.
For more information, visit www.tropicalsmoothiefranchise.com and www.bipfranchiseaccelerator.com.
SOURCE: Tropical Smoothie Café