Fro-yo Chain Store Location Count

Fro-yo girl here. It's time for another update of the chain store location count. Several are close to having 200 open locations. Wondering who’s in the lead?

* MENCHIE’S: 199 locations in the U.S. (vs. 98 last August) and 28 locations outside the U.S.
* ORANGE LEAF FROZEN YOGURT: 190 locations in the U.S.
* RED MANGO: 182 locations in the U.S. (vs. 128 last August), including a whopping 47 in NY.
* YOGURTLAND: Approximately 181 locations in the U.S. (vs. 96 last August), 9 locations outside the U.S. Their website doesn’t make it easy to view a list of individual locations.
* PINKBERRY: 139 locations in the U.S. (vs. 116 locations last August) and 61 locations outside the U.S. The SF location was store #200. They have many locations in Peru and United Arab Emirates.
* CHERRYBERRY: 102 locations in the U.S.

The store counts are based on the locations listed on the company website in August. Menchie’s is now the largest self-serve fro-yo chain in the U.S. (and the world). They’ve been opening an average of 10 stores a month. Menchie’s expects to have 500 stores open by the end of 2013. Yogurtland plans to have 1,000 locations open by the end of 2017.

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

Fro-yo Spoon Poll Results

Fro-yo girl here. These past few weeks have been a busy time for fro-yo spoon collectors, thanks to the four Sanrio spoon designs released by fro-yo spoon innovator, Yogurtland. I remember when I first saw the Yogurtland branded spoons. It was love at first sight back in 2009.

I wondered how many others saved and admired fro-yo spoons. The poll results are in and 68% of voters also save cute fro-yo spoons! Yay! That’s more than I expected. Many of my recent fro-yo purchases have been driven by the desire to collect fro-yo spoons.

Menchie’s just came out with limited edition Chip spoons this week. I have to have one of course.

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

Bad Badtz-Maru Yogurtland Spoons, My Yogurtland Sanrio Part 2 Spoon Collection is Complete

Fro-yo girl here. The fourth and final Yogurtland Sanrio spoon (black Bad Badtz-Maru) and cup design (Honolulu) arrived in Yogurtland stores yesterday.Take a look at all four spoons. I find the back of the spoon as cute as the front...those little tails. I also have all four cup designs: Hollywood, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu.

I tried Bad Badtz-Maru’s favorite flavor, Mango Pina Colada. I could taste the mango, pineapple and coconut. The coconut tasted the strongest but I think that’s because I don’t like coconut (sorry BBM). Bad Badtz-Maru was in Honolulu at the Yogurtland launch party yesterday, enjoying a cup of fro-yo. I’m sad I didn’t get a chance to meet him. I’ve always liked his rebellious attitude. I wonder if he’s friends with Kuromi?

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

Future Fro-yo Shop Picture: Fraiche at SFO

Fro-yo girl here. Yes, SFO travelers will be able to enjoy Fraiche Yogurt soon. Fraiche will be located in Terminal 3 by Gate 81. You’ll have to go through security to reach the new location. Construction is underway. Fraiche is expected to open in fall 2012.

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

New Pinkberry Chocolate Hazelnut Flavor to Debut on Aug. 17

Fro-yo girl here. Pinkberry announced its newest flavor today, Chocolate Hazelnut. Chocolate Hazelnut fro-yo will be accompanied by new seasonal, gourmet toppings. Suggested flavor pairings include:

• Chocolate Hazelnut Trio (Nutella®, strawberry and banana)
• Chocolate Hazelnut Decadence (dark chocolate crisps and mixed nuts)
• Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch (honey almond granola, banana and almonds)
• Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle (milk chocolate crunch and strawberry)

“Chocolate is a popular flavor for many of our consumers” said Ron Graves, CEO of Pinkberry. “We are proud to introduce Chocolate Hazelnut a decadent twist on the beloved chocolate - made only from the freshest, highest quality ingredients with gourmet topping combinations specially selected to create one-of-a-kind experiences only found at Pinkberry.”

Chocolate Hazelnut Pinkberry is available in all U.S. and Canada Pinkberry stores starting August 17. I think I’m getting the Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch without bananas.

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

Free Easy Breezy Tote Bag

Fro-yo girl here. Pick up a complimentary Easy Breezy tote bag at the shop (while supplies last). The white tote bag is spacious enough for groceries and features their cute smiling yogurt cup logo.  

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

* EASY BREEZY FROZEN YOGURT: 4028 24th St., San Francisco, CA

My Fro-yo Cup Display Case

Fro-yo girl here. Along with my fro-yo art, I also have a fro-yo cup display case. Isn’t it cute? I’ve run out of space now that I have those new Yogurtland Sanrio cups. Now I need to find a display case for my fro-yo spoons.

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

Little Twin Stars Yogurtland Launch Party

Fro-yo girl here. The new Little Twin Stars purple spoons arrived at Yogurtland locations today, along with the San Francisco themed fro-yo cups. Yogurtland also hosted a launch event in San Jose from 11 AM - 2 PM today. Guests who arrived early received pink and green Yogurtland Sanrio tote bags, buttons, keychains, Little Twin Stars spoons, SF froyo cups, Hello Kitty visors, and the grey Yogurtland Sanrio t-shirts from the previous YL-Sanrio promotion (with Hello Kitty, My Melody, Keroppi & Chococat). They were also treated to free fro-yo. There was a lot of swag (!) plus a DJ, Hello Kitty photo opps and more. The store was filled with pink and green balloons. 

My fro-yo breakfast consisted of the Little Twin Stars favorite flavor, raspberry tart, and their favorite topping, giant fresh raspberries with sliced almonds and Yogurtland sprinkles for crunch. Kiki and Lala have excellent taste in fro-yo!

I was thrilled to go behind the counter and see the back area where the fruit is chopped and the toppings are kept. I learned that we might be seeing a new Yogurtland tagline soon. Their first non-dairy offering, Strawberry Lemonade Sorbet, was a hit, so expect to see more non-dairy options in the future.

I LOVE my new spoons and cup. Remember to collect all four spoon designs to earn a special treat on September 2. Thanks Yogurtland!

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

* YOGURTLAND: 5011 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA

Fro-yo Visitor’s Guide to SF

Fro-yo girl here. Before I go on any trip, I’ll research the fro-yo shops in the area to see which ones are worth visiting. I’ve put together a list of notable SF fro-yo spots for fro-yo tourists. 

* AT&T Park: Visit Blush Organic Frozen Yogurt on 219 King St., between the Caltrain station and AT&T Park for the best organic fro-yo in SF. Be sure to sample their perfect original tart and signature Blush flavor (pomegranate-dragonfruit). Safeway offers parking validation in their parking structure.
* Embarcadero/Ferry Building: Hit Yogorino at the Embarcadero Center (50 Drumm St.) for gourmet, decadent Italian fro-yo. There’s one flavor and the toppings are imported from Italy. SF and Philly are the only US cities to have Yogorino locations. Or get your Straus Family Creamery (organic & local) fro-yo at the Ferry Building at Gott’s to Go takeout window (1 Ferry Building) where you’ll find some of the best fro-yo toppings in town, including Miette’s cookies, McEvoy EVOO, and TCHO chocolate covered cacao nibs..
* Fisherman’s Wharf: Take your picture with the Ben & Jerry’s Greek Frozen Yogurt head in a hole picture board at 475 Jefferson St. but get your fro-yo at Yogorino at 79 Jefferson St.
* Japantown/Fillmore: Take a break from shopping at Daiso and Ichiban Kan and walk over to Fraiche Yogurt (1910 Fillmore St.) for artisanal yogurt and fro-yo made from scratch. The soy fro-yo is excellent and the combination of steel cut oatmeal and fro-yo is an unexpected delight.
* Noe Valley/Castro: Try the popular new self-serve fro-yo spot, Easy Breezy (4028 24th St.) that opened last month. Look for local, organic fro-yo flavors and organic berries as toppings.
* Outer Sunset/Irving St.: Be sure to pay your respects to the original Tuttimelon location at 2150 Irving St. before walking over to their newer, larger, self-serve spot at 2045 Irving St. Save your Tutti Spoon to remind you of your trip to SF. If you’re thirsty or hungry, try Tuttimelon owned Teaway for tapioca drinks and Let’s Roll for katsu and takoyaki.

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