Atlanta-based Tropical Smoothie Cafe is aiming to donate 100,000 smoothies nationwide to local health care workers and first responders as part of its #InThisTogether campaign to help support those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.
“In cafes across the country, the Tropical Smoothie Cafe family is working tirelessly to support our local communities, which are currently facing unprecedented hardship,” said Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC. “Our safety is dependent upon the selfless, hard work of our local healthcare workers and first responders and we want to help them in any way we can.”
To reach the goal of 100,000 smoothies, each cafe has been challenged to donate at least 100 smoothies, according to a statement from the company. The company has reported that in the first days of the campaign, several franchisees jumped on board to donate more than 600 smoothies each. As of April 9, Tropical Smoothie Cafe had delivered more than 75,000 smoothies across 20 states and 30 markets.
Local TSC owners Brandon and Deena Korman said they are proud to be a part of the campaign, and estimate that they will reach 500 smoothies donated by the end of the week.
“We’ve been a part of this community for six years, and regardless of the impact this is having on our business, if I can help those on the front lines, bring them some sunshine, then I want to be a part of that,” Brandon Korman said. “We’ve always been a part of local fundraising efforts and community outreach so this a natural extension of that.”
Korman reported that each of his locations, Porters Neck, Long Leaf Mall and Leland, are open for contactless curbside pick-up and delivery, and he has been able to retain all of his staff, despite a slight cut-back in the hours of operation.
In fact, the Kormans have offered their employees a 20 percent bonus for continuing to come to work.
“It’s not easy, but we’re trying to look at this long-term,” Brandon Korman said.
The Kormans are working with specific corporate guidelines and coronavirus checklists for sanitation to ensure the health of their customers and employees.
Orders for pick-up and delivery can be placed online, via the mobile app, or by phone, and the cafes are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. TSC has also partnered with The Great American Take-Out program to offer promotions that support restaurant workers in need.
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