---
title: "Indiana Wants Tropical Smoothie Cafe"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/89035c13-3281-4942-b508-2ecaac01a1a0
source: "Global Franchise"
original_url: https://www.global-franchise.com/news/indiana-wants-tropical-smoothie-cafe
author: "Global Franchise Team"
category: "Beverage & juice"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Beverage & juice"
published: 2018-05-03T10:52:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T22:32:58.651Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1568901346375-23c9450c58cd?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Indiana Wants Tropical Smoothie Cafe

**TL;DR:** Tropical Smoothie Cafe has signed a franchise development agreement to expand its presence in Indiana with existing franchisees David and Ruth Buko and new franchisee James Volpert. The brand will develop eight cafes throughout the Indianapolis area, with the first two locations expected to open in 2019.

*By Global Franchise Team, originally published in Global Franchise on 2018-05-03. [Read the original](https://www.global-franchise.com/news/indiana-wants-tropical-smoothie-cafe).*

## Story

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has announced the signing of a franchise development agreement to expand its presence in Indiana. The brand’s existing franchisees, David and Ruth Buko, alongside first-time Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisee James Volpert, will be developing eight cafes throughout the Indianapolis area, with the first two locations expected to open in Hamilton and Boone counties in 2019.

Mike Rotondo, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe said, “We’re continuing to accelerate development in emerging markets like Indianapolis as a result of our ongoing success and even more so, our commitment to investing in our people by prioritizing the needs of our franchisees, which has helped fuel our widespread growth nationwide.”

He added, “With existing franchisees like the Bukos expanding their relationship with us, and new franchisees like James Volpert coming onboard, we’re on track to have another stellar year. We are confident that the Bukos’ brand knowledge and James’ leadership experience will help take the brand to new heights, as we continue to grow throughout Indianapolis and beyond.”

## Entities

- Restaurants (sector)
- franchise development (topic)
- Global Franchise (publication)
- international expansion (topic)
- James Fell (person)
- qsr industry (topic)
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe (company)
- indiana (location)
- master franchise investment (topic)
- Mike Rotondo (person)

---
Originally reported by Global Franchise Team, Global Franchise (https://www.global-franchise.com/news/indiana-wants-tropical-smoothie-cafe). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/89035c13-3281-4942-b508-2ecaac01a1a0).