Tropical Smoothie Cafe coming to Asheboro

ASHEBORO — That new building going up next to Golden Waffle will house a Tropical Smoothie Cafe. 

Opening is planned for March or April, depending on the weather and availability of supplies.

Isaac Roland retired as a Naval aviator in 2021 after a 21-year career, last deploying in Naples, Italy. Currently working as a Greensboro police officer, he said his wife, and mother of their eight children, was concerned about his job safety. So, owning a food franchise seemed like a good option.

“This is the next phase of my life,” he said in a phone interview. “I’d like to do one more (store, maybe also in Asheboro). The first one has been a real challenge. We’ve been working on it for two years and overcame hurdles, such as supply shortages.”

Asheboro’s first Tropical Smoothie, which will be at 614 E. Dixie Drive, may be new to locals, but there are three in Greensboro, another in High Point and two more in Winston-Salem.

The cafe features a wide variety of fruit-filled smoothie drinks, salads, wraps, flatbreads, quesadillas and sandwiches.

The cafe also offers breakfast items, a children’s menu, and sides that include whole fruit, maple-kissed sweet potatoes and kale-and-apple slaw. 

Roland calls Tropical Smoothie Cafe a “healthy alternative” to fast food. “I hope people like it and keep coming back,” he said.

The Naval Academy graduate said he plans “to be hands-on and manage” the cafe. “I try to be a light and a help in whatever I’m doing.”