Tropical Smoothie Cafe has signed a franchise development agreement for 40 new cafes in New York and Connecticut, the Atlanta-based chain announced on Oct. 19. The new locations are planned for Albany, Westchester County, the Bronx, and western Connecticut.
The operator is Aurify Kingstar, a New York City-based multi-brand restaurant company that has developed, operated, or acquired more than 300 restaurants. It plans to open its first Tropical Smoothie Cafe under the deal in early 2027, according to the company’s announcement.
For residents in those markets, the deal could add a fast-casual option that is common in Florida, Virginia, Texas, and Michigan but relatively thin in the Northeast. A signed development agreement is a plan — not a guarantee — and opening schedules for most of the 40 cafes have not been released.
The 40-Unit Agreement and Its Operator
Aurify Kingstar’s portfolio includes franchised brands such as Five Guys, Wingstop and Le Pain Quotidien, along with its own concepts, according to the release. The company was co-founded by John Rigos and Andy Stern, who lead its development efforts along with Jeremy Tannenbaum…