Chamber Member of the Week: Tropical Smoothie Cafe
While Tropical Smoothie Cafe may be known for its smoothies, its mission in Owensboro extends far beyond the menu. With roots planted firmly in the community, the locally-owned franchise has made giving back a central part of its operations, supporting local schools, churches, and nonprofits through fundraisers, donations, and unique partnerships.
Since opening in 2021, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has donated over $8,000 in cash and thousands more in food to local schools, churches, and nonprofits through its “Give Back Day” fundraisers, where 20% of sales from both Owensboro locations are donated to community organizations. Leanna Byrne oversees these initiatives and said the cafe is always looking for new ways to support the area.
“We just have a great love for the community,” Byrne said. “Although we are a franchise, we’re locally owned and family-operated. Many of us are from Owensboro, and giving back is super important to us.”
The cafe also offers field trips, allowing kids to explore behind the scenes. Students can tour the kitchen, make their own smoothies, and even create a quesadilla. Partnerships with organizations like Puzzle Pieces and Wendell Foster also demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity by providing job opportunities and hosting groups for visits and activities.
“We employ people from Puzzle Pieces and partner with them for field trips,” Byrne said. “Many businesses can’t always accommodate groups like Wendell Foster, but we’re thrilled to welcome them.”
Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s commitment to Owensboro goes beyond its community efforts. The menu features more than smoothies, with wraps, flatbreads, salads, and new yogurt bowls. Popular items like the peanut butter crunch bowl and Bahama Mama bowl have been recent customer favorites. The cafe also caters to breakfast and lunch, offering everything from boxed meals to trays for events.
“We are more than smoothies,” Byrne emphasized. “Corporate added ‘Cafe’ to our name to highlight our full menu. We have options like breakfast wraps, yogurt bowls, and catering for both breakfast and lunch.”
With its focus on community involvement, diverse menu, and catering services, Tropical Smoothie Cafe continues growing as a local favorite while impacting beyond its doors. Community members interested in hosting a fundraiser or field trip can contact Byrne directly through the cafe’s Facebook page.
By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times