Tropical Smoothie Cafe records Charlotte health permit for Albemarle Rd location

Overview

Updated Oct 9

Mecklenburg County health inspectors gave Tropical Smoothie Cafe at 9020 Albemarle Rd a score of 98.5 during the week of October 1-7, according to a county inspection report. The cafe holds a food establishment permit filed with the county health department on October 7.

The address, Suite D on Charlotte's east side, has a live listing on the brand's locations page with hours and online ordering. The cafe is operating and adds another fast-casual option for east Charlotte residents.

Why it matters

A county permit is the first official sign a Tropical Smoothie Cafe will serve Albemarle Rd, adding another fast-casual option for east Charlotte residents.

Last Monday's email for Charlotte, NC

Sent Nov 9. It carried:

Fontana Di Vino drops off Charlotte's active food licence list Fontana Di Vino closed its SouthPark restaurant in February 2026, about nine months after announcing it was open at...

Get next Monday's: one short email a week. Free. Unsubscribe in one click.

Questions about this story

Free account needed to ask — your question is kept and asked for you right after sign-up. Answers are public.

No questions yet — be the first to ask.

Key Indicators

Food establishment permit on record

Filed with Mecklenburg County Public Health on October 7, 2026.

Tropical Smoothie locations in Charlotte market

As of June 2022, before the Albemarle Rd record.

98.5

Health inspection score

Rated during Oct 1-7 inspections by Mecklenburg County.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Organizations Involved

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Fast-casual restaurant chain (franchise)

Franchisor of the Albemarle Rd location

A smoothie, wrap, and flatbread chain expanding across Charlotte.

Mecklenburg County Public Health

Local government agency

Issuer of the food establishment permit

The county agency that licenses food establishments operating in Mecklenburg County.

Timeline

June 2022 October 2026

3 events Latest: October 7th, 2026 · 1 month ago

October 2026
County permit recorded for Albemarle Rd cafe
Latest Regulatory

Mecklenburg County Public Health listed Tropical Smoothie Cafe Nc122 at 9020 Albemarle Rd as a food establishment.
October 7th, 2026
Health inspection scores 98.5
Regulatory

Mecklenburg County health inspectors rated the cafe at 9020 Albemarle Rd during the week of October 1-7.
October 2026
June 2022
Brand marks 1,100th cafe in Charlotte
Milestone

Tropical Smoothie Cafe opened its 1,100th location in Charlotte's Riverbend Village.
June 3rd, 2022

Scenarios

Albemarle Rd Tropical Smoothie Cafe opens for business

Likely Resolves by Jan 31, 2027

Discussed by: Brand location page and county permit records

The cafe secures its remaining approvals, staffs the Suite D space, and begins serving customers. The brand's locations page goes live with hours and online ordering for the 9020 Albemarle Rd address.

Permit on record, cafe stays closed

Unlikely Resolves by Jan 31, 2027

Discussed by: County register only

The permit remains on the county's books but the location never opens to customers, whether from missed approvals, franchise delays, or other setbacks. The address returns to separate use.

Historical Context

One moment from history that rhymes with this story — and how it unfolded.

June 2022

Tropical Smoothie Cafe's 1,100th location (2022)

The chain opened its 1,100th cafe in Riverbend Village in northwest Charlotte, owned by franchisees Stacey and Maurice Pugh. The company reported 13 locations in the Charlotte market and 58 in North Carolina at the time.

Then

The Riverbend Village cafe held a grand opening weekend with ribbon cutting, giveaways, and discounted smoothies.

Now

The milestone underscored the brand's franchise-led expansion across the Charlotte region and the state.

Why this matters now

The Albemarle Rd permit is a small instance of that same steady expansion pattern, adding a new address to the chain's Charlotte footprint.