Tropical Smoothie Cafe brings good vibes, great smoothies and healthy options to Jasper’s southside
With the success and warm welcome Brijesh Patel and his family received when they opened Dunkin’ Donuts in 2020, he knew he wanted to bring something else to the area.
“I really wanted to do another business here in Jasper,” he explained. “But, I wanted to do something different.”
After visiting a Tropical Smoothie Café in Chicago operated by a childhood friend, Patel began researching the brand and concluded it was a strong fit for the area. He loved the fun vibe and the fresh, healthy food options on the menu.
However, the Jasper location required special permission from the corporate franchisor, which typically doesn’t operate in markets of this size and usually requires a minimum of two-store development agreements.
“Tropical Smoothie was not planning on opening in Jasper,” Patel explained. “They don’t have this market in their territory.”
Leveraging the great experience and strong community support they experienced at Dunkin’, he convinced them to allow him to open a location in Jasper.
“I explained to them what Jasper is all about,” he said, adding that the franchisor did their own investigation.
Now, Jasper’s Tropical Smoothie Cafe opens its doors on Thursday at Southgate Plaza.
The franchise specializes in fresh smoothies with popular flavors including Bahama Mama and Sunrise Sunset, Patel’s personal favorite. Customers can customize drinks with various add-ins, including protein, collagen, B12, fat burner, chia seeds, and chocolate options.
Beyond smoothies, the cafe offers savory items, including wraps such as Caribbean Jerk Chicken and Baja Chicken, along with flatbreads, quesadillas, and fresh salads. There is also a kids menu.
It’s a mix of refreshing drinks and quick, casual food that works well for breakfast, lunch, or a snack.
There are also seasonal items added to the menu. Currently, those include chocolate-covered strawberry and almond butter protein smoothies, targeting fitness enthusiasts and customers seeking convenient protein options.
The franchise has its roots in Florida, and Patel wants to bring that tropical and bright vibe to Dubois County.
“If you want to feel like you are on a beach, come to Tropical Smoothie Cafe,” he said.
Patel’s journey to franchise ownership began in 2008, when he worked part-time at Dunkin’ during summer breaks while pursuing a master’s degree in computer science. He learned the quick-service restaurant business from the ground up, advancing from employee to shift leader to manager before becoming an owner.
“QSR (quick service restaurant) is in my blood,” Patel said.
He loves being part of a team that comes together to provide a delicious product for the many visitors to the family’s restaurants. They’ve operated Dunkin’ Donuts in Owensboro before opening the Jasper location and are excited to open this newest offering in a community that has been so accepting.
The restaurant aims to provide what Patel calls “good vibes” and energy for customers, particularly those seeking an upbeat atmosphere and a quick, healthy option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
For Patel, it brings together what he loves about restaurants. “You get to see the whole town here,” he said. “They come to you. It’s fun. I get to talk to new people every day, see smiling faces and provide good food.”
The new restaurant at 185 U.S. 231 operates from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, offering fresh smoothies, wraps, salads, flatbreads and breakfast items through both dine-in and drive-thru service. You can follow them on Facebook here and place pickup orders through the Tropical Smoothie Cafe app.
The business plans a grand opening celebration with the Jasper Chamber of Commerce at 8:30 a.m. on January 22, 2026.
