Tropical Smoothie Cafe to Open in Bethesda Row

BETHESDA, MD — Don’t let the name fool you. Tropical Smoothie Café is much more than smoothies with a tropical twist: the company has breakfast wraps, sandwiches, tacos and salads.

And the growing Washington, D.C., fast casual food chain says it is aggressively targeting Maryland, especially the Baltimore area, for expansion.

The company plans to open stores next year in Bowie, Ellicott City and Rockville. In January 2016, Tropical Smoothie Cafe will open a site in Bethesda Row.

Within five years, the sandwich and smoothie franchise aims to open about 25 locations throughout the state, including 10 in Baltimore.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe currently has five restaurants open in Maryland, in Columbia, Waldorf, Gambrills, Pikesville and Frederick.

In the past month, the chain opened cafes at Waugh Chapel in Gambrills, The Festival at Woodholme Shopping Center in Pikesville, and in Frederick.

“Tropical Smoothie Cafe is incredibly well known in the Washington, D.C., metro area, where we have nearly three dozen locations. With so many people traveling between Washington and Baltimore every day, it makes sense for us to grow the brand in Baltimore,” said Kathy Benzing with Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

She says the eatery is known for its quality fresh food, and views Chipotle and Panera Bread as its competitors.

This year, the food and smoothie franchise plans to exceed 475 stores nationwide. By 2018, Tropical Smoothie Cafe plans to have 800 stores open across the country.