Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar vs Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and Tropical Smoothie Cafe are full-service restaurants franchises. Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar requires an investment of $2.4M – $7.1M while Tropical Smoothie Cafe requires $341K – $815K. In terms of revenue, Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar reports higher average unit revenue at $2.8M. Tropical Smoothie Cafe has SBA lending data on file with a 11.2% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar A (Top Quintile) and Tropical Smoothie Cafe A (Top Quintile).
| Metric | Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar | Tropical Smoothie Cafe |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | ATop QuintileTop Quintile | ATop QuintileTop Quintile |
| Investment Range | $2.4M – $7.1M | $341K – $815K |
| Franchise Fee | $35K | $35K |
| Royalty Rate | 4.0% | 6.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $2.8M | $1.0M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | N/A | 11.2% (653 loans) |
| Total Units | 1,545 | 1,515 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 2014 | 2012 |
| FDD Year | 2024 | 2025 |
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar
ATop QuintileTop Quintile
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
ATop QuintileTop Quintile
Investment Range
$2.4M – $7.1M
$341K – $815K
Franchise Fee
$35K
$35K
Royalty Rate
4.0%
6.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$2.8M
$1.0M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
N/A
11.2% (653 loans)
Total Units
1,545
1,515
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
2014
2012
FDD Year
2024
2025