Tropical Smoothie Cafe is moving into Broussard, taking over the corner unit at Sweetland Centre on Albertson Parkway. The project is led by franchisees B.J. Crist and Gus Rezende, who are also behind a recently announced Youngsville location. There is no opening date on the books yet, but renovation work at the site is already underway, as reported by WhatNow.
Where It Will Be And Who's Behind It
According to WhatNow, the Broussard cafe is slated for 1209 Albertson Pkwy inside the Sweetland Centre shopping plaza, with Crist and Rezende listed as co-franchisees. The outlet notes that the pair already operate several Tropical Smoothie locations around the region and are also developing the Youngsville site at 1821 Chemin Metairie Pkwy. Their growing footprint has made them regular players in Acadiana's current retail boom.
Former Taco Bell Space Gets A Makeover
Local development coverage points out that the new cafe will occupy the former Taco Bell space, which is being revamped after the taco chain moved into a nearby standalone building. Developing Lafayette reports that construction crews are reworking the existing drive-thru and retail layout for the smoothie concept. Meanwhile, the Sweetland Centre listing from Billeaud Companies spotlights the development's perch at the corner of Albertson Parkway and US-90, a busy, highly visible intersection that has become a magnet for national brands.
Chain Growth And Local Footprint
Tropical Smoothie Cafe has been on a rapid growth streak. A Nov. 4, 2024 company press release, published via PR Newswire, outlines leadership changes and cites roughly 1,500 cafes nationwide as the brand pushes faster expansion under new ownership. The chain's Louisiana locations list shows multiple existing cafes around the state, a lineup that helps explain why franchisees are zeroing in on the Acadiana market; see Tropical Smoothie Cafe for the full roster. Industry reporting has also tracked a wave of openings in 2024 and 2025 as private equity investment accelerated development, with QSR Magazine examining the chain's recent growth trajectory.
What To Expect Next
WhatNow notes that the Broussard cafe has not yet announced when it will open. Before the doors actually swing wide, the usual franchise rollout is expected to play out behind the scenes: permits, equipment installation and staff hiring, typically followed by a soft opening and then a grand-opening push. Locals and nearby shoppers will likely spot exterior signage and posted permits first as construction continues, and we will update when the franchisees or the company share a firm timeline.
