Tropical Smoothie Cafe® Taps Horizon Media as Media Agency of Record to Drive Nationwide Expansion

Tropical Smoothie Cafe® Names Horizon Media as Media Agency of Record to Drive Nationwide Expansion

Leading Fast-Casual Brand Teams Up with Horizon Media to Enhance Brand Awareness and Guest Engagement Across Key Markets

Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the nation's largest smoothie chain and a frontrunner in the fast-casual dining space, has selected Horizon Media as its media agency of record following a competitive review. The partnership aims to accelerate the brand’s nationwide growth by leveraging Horizon Media's data-driven strategies, advanced technologies, and innovative media solutions.

As part of this collaboration, Tropical Smoothie Cafe is unifying its national and local media budgets into a consolidated fund. This strategic move positions the brand to drive increased sales, foster deeper guest engagement, and expand its footprint across key markets. Horizon Media will oversee an annual media budget of approximately $50 million, managing communication planning, media investment, performance measurement, and the integration of cutting-edge tools to deliver impactful results.

“2025 will be a transformative year for Tropical Smoothie Cafe as we harness the power of a consolidated marketing investment to propel our growth,” said Deborah von Kutzleben, Chief Marketing Officer at Tropical Smoothie Café, LLC. “Horizon Media’s leadership in strategic planning, investment, data, and technology will unlock new opportunities for our brand. Their passion for our mission and understanding of the fast-casual category will help make Tropical Smoothie Cafe a household name.”

Gene Turner, President and Chief Global Client Officer at Horizon Media, shared his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to partner with Tropical Smoothie Cafe on their journey to amplify their national presence. By integrating advanced technology, robust analytics, and actionable insights, we aim to deliver measurable growth while enhancing customer engagement. As innovators ourselves, we’re excited to contribute to the success story that Tropical Smoothie Cafe continues to write.”

This strategic partnership underscores Horizon Media’s expertise in delivering tailored, results-driven media strategies for the fast-casual dining sector. With Horizon Media’s support, Tropical Smoothie Cafe is poised to optimize its media investments, expand guest reach, and create memorable experiences for smoothie enthusiasts nationwide.

About Tropical Smoothie Cafe®

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a fast-casual restaurant brand committed to inspiring better through its nutritious food and smoothies and fostering positive change in the communities it serves. Founded on a beach in 1997, the brand has grown to over 1,500 locations in 44 states. It has been ranked #1 in the Smoothie/Juice Category by Entrepreneur Franchise 500 for four consecutive years and recognized by Franchise Times as a "Fast and Serious" brand for 11 years running. In 2024, the brand achieved a FUND Score of 905, ranking among the top franchise concepts analyzed by FRANdata.

About Horizon Media

Horizon Media, the largest U.S. media agency and the largest independent globally, delivers data-driven outcomes for leading brands. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in New York, with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto, Horizon Media employs over 2,400 people and manages media investments exceeding $8.5 billion. Driven by a belief that business is personal, the company builds trusted relationships and delivers unmatched insights, innovation, and results. Recognized for industry innovation and workplace excellence, Horizon Media consistently earns awards for client satisfaction and workplace culture, reflecting its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and employee well-being.