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Tropical Smoothie offers free meals for kidsTropical Smoothie offers free meals for kids

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

August 26, 2009

1 Min Read
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Ron Ruggless

DESTIN Fla. Tropical Smoothie Cafe is promoting its new combos for kids by offering the meals free to children 12 and younger on Sundays through Oct. 3.

The new options for kids debuted earlier this month as part of alarger menu overhaul at the 280-unit chain. The kids' meal is free with an adult purchase of a Paradise Combo.

Kids can choose either the Big Kahuna Combo, which includes a food item, a side and a 12-ounce smoothie, or the Little Surfer Combo, which features a food item, a side and a 12-ounce soda. Prices vary by market, but the Big Kahuna is about $4.99 and the Little Surfer is $3.99.

Food items on the kids' menu include a cheese pizza, quesadillas and flatbread sandwiches, which are available in three varieties: ham and American cheese, turkey and provolone, and grilled cheese.

Chains as varied as IHOP, Fazoli’s, Marie Callender’s and El Torito have promoted kids-eat-free deals to increase customer traffic.

“For the first time, we’re giving kids the option to choose a combo meal, just as their parents can,” said Jim Valentino, president and chief operating officer of Tropical Smoothie Cafe. “By offering the opportunity to try one for free, we’re letting kids and their parents know that we offer all of our customers the delicious, quality meals they crave.”

Tropical Smoothie has stores in 34 states.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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