New Fro-yo Concept from Straw Hat Pizza

Fro-yo girl here. Did you know that Straw Hat Pizza now has fro-yo? They launched their new self-serve fro-yo concept, Tower 27 Yogurt, inside the new Straw Hat Pizza location in Walnut Creek, CA. It has a California theme, like their pizza (which they call Genuine California Pizza) and they emphasize "6 flavors, 27 toppings, endless combinations." It's part of the rebranding and redesign of the 51 year old company. They are said to be evolving into a family dining restaurant. I missed out on the free pizza and free fro-yo during last month's grand opening celebration.



What is Straw Hat Pizza thinking? According to the president & CEO of Straw Hat, "the option of the frozen yogurt co-brand is designed to make the concept that much more attractive as a franchise investment. The Tower 27 brand is estimated to take only about 500 square feet of space." - Restaurant News. Adding fro-yo increased revenue by $20,000 a month at the test store. Tower 27 Yogurt stand-alone stores are a possibility.



During my visit to Tower 27 Yogurt, it struck me as a typical self-serve place, only with fewer options than some of the other fro-yo self-serve chain stores. It fit in well with the other self-serve areas of the shop (soda, salad, pizza buffet). There was nothing unusual about the flavors or toppings.

Now I'll have to find a way to check out Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory's fro-yo concept, Aspen Leaf Yogurt.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

* TOWER 27 YOGURT: 3116 Oak Road, Walnut Creek, CA