New Leaders Step Up at Smoothie Chain

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has a few new appointments, including two in the c-suite. Jonathan Biggs joins the chain as chief operating officer, while two existing employees earned promotions—Chris Sasser to chief financial officer and Karen Wickliffe to general counsel.

Biggs, who has over a decade of experience in field and global operations, hails from Baskin-Robbins, where he served as brand head, overseeing operations across the U.S. He has a track record of driving restaurant profitability through technology and operational innovations that improve the guest experience, says the release.

Sasser, meanwhile, fills a role left open by the retirement of Paul Marsden, who left Popeyes to join the brand in 2017. To date, Sasser has played a role in shaping Tropical Smoothie Café’s fiscal strategy and performance.

Wickliffe also fills a role left open by retirement (Pete Ward, who held the role for seven years). Wickliffe has over seven years with the brand and will now oversee all legal functions and partner with leadership and business stakeholders on strategic initiatives as the brand continues to grow.

“These leadership appointments mark an exciting new chapter for Tropical Smoothie Cafe,” says CEO Max Wetzel. “Jonathan’s operational expertise, combined with Chris and Karen’s proven leadership in finance and legal strategy, will strengthen our ability to support franchisees and build on our incredible growth momentum.”

Tropical Smoothie Cafe currently has more than 1,500 locations in 44 states.