New Flavor at Pinkberry: Pink Champagne

Fro-yo girl here. I’m making an effort to check out multiple Pinkberry locations in hopes of finding test products and I recently spotted a new flavor that they’re testing at the Little Tokyo location: Pink Champagne.

The flavor sounded intriguing and fitting – given that Pinkberry is celebrating its 10th birthday this year. It’s tart based and tastes like their original tart with a hint of sweet pink champagne. The texture is the same as the original tart: smooth, light, refreshing. The yogurt is white (looks just like original tart).

Recommended toppings: Raspberries, mochi, chocolate shavings, pizzelle cookie

Pink Champagne Pinkberry is available for a limited time.

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

* PINKBERRY LITTLE TOKYO: 332-A E 2nd St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, an resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

New Contest: Win Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Mix for Your Shop

Fro-yo girl here. The International Frozen Yogurt Association and Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Co. have partnered to bring you a new contest, The Cool Way to Eat Fruit: Win Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Mix for Your Shop.

Froyo fans, if you'd like your froyo shop to carry Chloe's Soft Serve Fruit Mix, tell them about this contest!

The Prizes

Two prizes will be awarded:

First prize: 3 cases of Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Mix

Second prize: 1 case of Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Mix

About Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Mix

Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Mix offers a unique, high quality, great tasting, healthy upgrade to existing non-dairy alternatives. Shops that carry Chloe’s can appeal to health conscious consumers and differentiate themselves from other frozen yogurt shops. Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Mix can also be served as a smoothie, super food bowl, parfait or as a waffle topping.

Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit is made with just three ingredients: real fruit, filtered water and a touch of organic sugar. The flavors are intense and natural and the texture is creamy. Soft serve fruit is good for you, all natural, delicious, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, kosher, pareve, and nonfat. Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Mix is available in 14 seasonal varieties, including apple, banana, blood orange, blueberry, cranberry, dark chocolate, mango, mixed berry, pear, pineapple, plum, pumpkin, raspberry, strawberry and tangerine.

Who’s Eligible

The Cool Way to Eat Fruit contest is open to all legal residents of the United States who are members of the International Frozen Yogurt Association and current owner/operators or employees of a frozen yogurt shop. Entrants must be 18 years or older. The shop must be in an area that is covered by Chloe’s SSF distribution network.* 

To become a member of the IFYA, visit internationalfrozenyogurt.com. Membership is free.

No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

How to Enter

To participate in the Contest, entrants must complete an online survey: http://tinyurl.com/cool-way-contest or via email to info@internationalfrozenyogurt.com

The Contest ends on March 20, 2015 at 11:59:59 P.M. PST. Winners will be selected at random from eligible entries. Limit one entry per person.

Contest Rules

The contest rules can be found at: http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/cool-way-eat-fruit-contest-rules/

About Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Co.

The three “sweets” loving, health conscious creators of Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Co™ go way back. Michael and Jason grew up on the same street in a suburb just outside of Washington, DC, and have been creating businesses together since high school. Chloe, met Jason in College at Tufts University, and the three have been hanging ever since. The Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Co.™ brand has been a labor of love, time and imagination, as the trio set out to create a delicious, wholesome, innovative frozen treat. They are proud that, together, they have created the cool way to eat fruit.

Free IFYA Webinar on California's New Sick Pay Law on 2/24

California frozen yogurt shops, are you ready for the new sick pay law? Do you have questions about the new law?

The International Frozen Yogurt Association in partnership with Payality, experts in business compliance, is hosting a free webinar to provide you with information on California’s new sick pay law. Beginning July 1, 2015, all employers must provide employees working 30 or more hours in a calendar year up to 3 days of sick pay. This webinar will provide information about how to properly accrue this time and notify the employee.

• Topic: California’s New Sick Pay Law
• Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2015
• Time: 4 PM Pacific Standard Time
• Cost: Free

Please register for the webinar on California’s new sick pay law on Feb 24, 2015 4:00 PM PST at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1343738813666352130

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

About Payality

Payality is different. Payality provides total compliance solutions that help business owners minimize risk and have more time to focus on growing and managing their business, including Payroll, Human Resources, Affordable Care Act, Worker’s Compensation Payment Administration, Retirement, Bookkeeping, and more. Payality’s comprehensive compliance solutions reduce your costs, increase efficiency and streamline operations across your business. See how Payality performs and you’ll never look back. Visit http://www.payality.com/ifya for additional information.

Nestle Outshine Simply Yogurt Bars Review

Fro-yo girl here. I never felt the urge to try Outshine bars/pops before because they didn’t have any yogurt bars. That just changed this month with the launch of Outshine Simply Yogurt Bars, made with 100% yogurt and fruit. I spotted the bars at Target, where a box of four bars (10.2 fl oz) is $4.59.

One bar is 90 calories with 2g of fat and 5g of protein. Outshine Yogurt Bars have live and active cultures, with no artificial colors or flavors and no high fructose corn syrup.

* Blueberry: A thick bar with a soft, creamy, whipped texture that holds its shape well. The bar delivered on its promise of creaminess and it also didn’t have unpleasant artificial flavors. It was light and satisfying. The flavor was slightly tangy and mildly blueberry like but on the bland side (too much cream?) I’ve had better (and worse) froyo bars. This one was better than average in texture but lacking in flavor.

Spotted flavors: Strawberry Banana, Strawberry, Mango, Peach, Blueberry 

There are two other flavors but I'm not sure what they are.

Ingredients (Blueberry): Yogurt (skim milk, sugar, lactose reduced skim milk, cream, blueberry puree, milk protein concentrate, pectin, natural flavors, guar gum, carob bean gum, live and active cultures).

Outshine Simply Yogurt Bars are available only at Target.

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

3.5 out of 5 stars

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

A Visit to a Self Serve Pinkberry Location

Fro-yo girl here. I was surprised to learn that the downtown Burbank Pinkberry location switched to a self-serve format last year. I didn’t see an announcement at the time (though they did announce it on the Burbank Pinkberry Facebook page – a page I wasn’t checking). It’s just a toe dip into the self-serve format though. As far as I know this and the Brea location are the only self-serve Pinkberry locations.

The Burbank location carries 12 self-serve froyo flavors a day (the same flavors you’d find at other Pinkberry locations) and your typical Pinkberry toppings (fresh fruit, popping boba, mochi, candy, nuts, cookies, cookie dough, sauces, Nutella, granola, coconut, cheesecake, brownies, cereal, waffle cookies, chocolate, granola, and luxe toppings) for 49 cents an ounce. It’s very similar to a regular Pinkberry only with more flavors, larger cups and the self-serve format. At your typical Pinkberry you can get multiple flavors and unlimited toppings so there isn’t much difference. Sample cups are on a tray at the toppings bar. You can also request a waffle bowl.

The shop looked like a regular Pinkberry shop only with a wall of froyo machines. The interior has pastel colors, plants and pebble floor. They kept the toppings bar very clean and the fruit looked fresh. The toppings are better than average. My favorite topping is the dark chocolate crisps.

Froyo flavors of the day:

• Vanilla bean
• Chocolate chip cookie
• Sea salt chocolate
• Cookies & cream
• Passionfruit
• Pomegranate
• Mango
• Original
• Blood orange
• Raspberry white chocolate
• Pineapple
• Pina colada

I don’t think this location has frozen shakes or yogurt smoothies. It’s froyo only. Mr. Froyo and I thought it was a well maintained shop. We weren’t that thrilled about serving ourselves (counter serve is more sanitary) but we did enjoy our froyo. I recommend getting the new Raspberry White Chocolate flavor – the raspberry is tangy and the dominant flavor but the white chocolate adds a pleasant sweetness.

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

* PINKBERRY BURBANK, 120 East Palm Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Online Auction of High Point, NC Froyo Shop Assets Ends Tomorrow

The online auction of this shop liquidation is being conducted by Rogers Realty & Auction Co. 

Bidding Ends: Tuesday, February 17th at 1:00PM

Assets for sale include: Ice Machine, Taylor Soft Serve Machines, Walk-in Cooler, Sinks, Freezer, Security System, Outdoor Seating, Light Fixtures

For pictures and additional information visit: http://rogersauctiongroup.com/index.php?ap=1&pid=41605

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Happy Froyo Valentine’s Day/Singles Awareness Day 2015

Fro-yo girl here. Are you celebrating Valentine’s Day with a froyo date or with a single cup of froyo?

Valentine’s Day specials:

• Forever Yogurt has a BOGO offer from 12-6PM, mention “Forever Friend Promo”
• Froyoworld has a BOGO offer
• Red Mango Club Mango members enjoy double points
• Samba Swirl is 50% off

Check out our Valentine’s Day Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/froyogirl/valentines-day-froyo-images/

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

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Pressed Juicery Freeze Review

Fro-yo girl here. Do you love cold pressed juice? Are you a fan of Pressed Juicery? 

Pressed Juicery launched “Freeze” in June 2014 in Palo Alto, CA. Freeze is a vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free soft serve frozen treat made with 100% fruits, vegetables, and nuts. The flavors are similar to their juice flavors.

Freeze flavors include Greens, Roots, Citrus, Fruits, Chocolate Almond Freeze and Vanilla Almond Freeze. Freeze contains no added sugar but is sweetened naturally with dates. It has no additives or binders. The Chocolate Almond Freeze is made with four ingredients: almond, dates, sea salt and cacao.

I tried the Vanilla Almond Freeze and the consistency was icy and not very smooth, but the flavor was very natural and clean. It's surprisingly sweet thanks to the dates. A small (4 oz.) is $4.95 and you can add healthy toppings like fresh fruit, spices, granola, nuts, almond butter, honey, rose syrup, peanut butter, Hawaiian pink salt, cacao nut freezing drizzle, and goji berries.

Freeze is available at select Pressed Juicery locations. I found it at the Americana. I'd say that it's worth trying.

Less than a block away from Pressed Juicery, Pinkberry at the Americana offered their new Frozen Juice. Frozen Juice was introduced early this year. It’s a dairy-free frozen treat (their first) with no added sugar and three servings of fruit. The price is the same as their frozen yogurt. Dairy-free Pinkberry is currently available only in two locations in the LA area.

Interested in dairy-free, vegan soft serve? Check out my new Pinterest board,  Non Dairy Vegan Froyo Alternatives.

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

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Online Auction of High Point, NC Froyo Shop Assets Begins on February 10

The online auction is being conducted by Rogers Realty & Auction Co.

• Bidding Opens: Tuesday, February 10th at 8:00AM
• Bidding Ends: Tuesday, February 17th at 1:00PM
• Preview: Friday, February 6th, 10am-1pm

Assets for sale include: Ice Machine, Taylor Soft Serve Machines, Walk-in Cooler, Sinks, Freezer, Security System, Outdoor Seating, Light Fixtures

For pictures and additional information visit: http://rogersauctiongroup.com/index.php?ap=1&pid=41605

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Review & West Coast Tour (Feb. 9 - 13)

Fro-yo girl here. What’s your attitude towards fresh fruit? 

1. You love it so much that you don’t mind all the peeling, cutting, seed removal, bruising, messiness and perishability
2. You enjoy the flavor but you think it’s a hassle to eat
3. You don’t mind it if the flavor is masked by something else
4. You avoid it all costs

If you answered 1 or 2, you would enjoy Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit. Soft serve fruit is made with just three ingredients: real fruit, filtered water and a touch of organic sugar. The flavors are intense and natural. Soft serve fruit is good for you, all natural, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, kosher, pareve, nonfat and creamy in texture. It’s like sorbet or soft serve without all the additives.

Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Company got its start in 2010 when three friends and health-conscious entrepreneurs, Michael Sloan, Chloe Epstein, and Jason Epstein, created “soft serve fruit.” They opened their first location in NYC in 2010 and entered the wholesale market in 2012. The two wholesale products are Chloe’s Soft Serve Mix (available in 14 varieties, including apple, banana, blood orange, blueberry, cavaillon melon, cranberry, dark chocolate, mango, pear, pineapple, plum, pumpkin, raspberry, strawberry, tangerine) and Soft Serve Fruit Pops.

Chloe's Soft Serve Fruit Mix is a Popular Non-Dairy Alternative to Frozen Yogurt

Chloe's Soft Serve Fruit Mix is a tasty non-dairy alternative to soft serve frozen yogurt. It's served out of soft serve machine and has a surprisingly creamy texture.

Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Mix is a hit at shops like Yo-Nutz (Sunrise, Florida), FlavorBerry (Houston, Texas), Yo-Fresh (multiple PA locations), Vanilla Sky (Forest Hills, NY), and D’Lites Emporium (St. Petersburg, FL).

Max Goldsmith, Director of Business Development at Chloe's Soft Serve Fruit Co. will be in the Los Angeles/San Diego area from Feb. 9-13. To arrange for a private tasting at your frozen yogurt shop, please email Max at max@chloesfruit.co

Sampling Chloe's Soft Serve Fruit Pops

I was recently lucky enough to sample Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Pops. I didn’t sample all of the flavors but I did try several that I really enjoyed. The flavor you like best will depend on the fruit you like best.

The pops are different because of their higher fruit content, simplicity of ingredients (fruit, filtered water, organic cane sugar) and the use of soft serve fruit mix which creates a creamier/airier texture. It’s best to let them thaw for 10-15 minutes before eating.

• Raspberry: Really intense, fresh flavor, didn’t notice any seeds, liked how tangy it was, it was lightly sweetened
• Blueberry: Very good but not as tangy as the raspberry, sweeter than the raspberry
• Tangerine: Sweeter than raspberry and blueberry with a bit of pulp
• Banana: I couldn’t eat this because I hate bananas but Mr. Froyo thought it was terrific, very natural and fresh tasting
• Dark chocolate: I couldn’t eat this because it has some banana, it should be called Dark Chocolate Banana

The pops are full size (2.5 fl. Oz) and only 60 calories each. It really does taste like fruit on the stick only much easier to eat. Chloe’s pops are carried at grocery stores, markets, restaurants, zoos, etc. Chloe’s soft serve mix is served at restaurants and frozen yogurt shops. To find Chloe’s, check out their list of retail locations: http://www.chloesfruit.com/find-us/wholesale

You can also catch Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Co. at Expo West in Anaheim, CA from March 6-8. Drop by booth #6250 for a sample.

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

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Menchie’s Celebrates National Frozen Yogurt Day 2015

Fro-yo girl here. Menchie’s celebrated National Frozen Yogurt Day 2015 with 6 oz. of free froyo and toppings for guests from 4-8 PM. The employees had cute NFYD t-shirts on.

I tried one of the new froyo flavors for February, Spiced Chai Latte. Spiced Chai Latte is made “with a flavorful combination of cinnamon, ginger, cloves and cardamom to enlighten guests with notes of warmth and spice.” I love a good chai…this did not taste like chai. The spice blend didn’t make me think of chai and the tea flavor was absent. Plus the flavor was overly sweet and the texture was icy.

The other new flavor, Swiss Miss Classic Hot Chocolate was not available.

I didn’t receive a coupon for my next purchase, like I did last year. I was surprised that they didn’t increase staffing levels…it look a long time to make it to the register. There were only two employees present and they didn’t have guests form an orderly line. 

But...I love free froyo!

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

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Yogurtland Hershey’s NFYD 2015 Spoons

Fro-yo girl here. Free froyo is wonderful but the real reason I look forward to #YogurtlandNFYD is the collectible yogurt spoon. Every National Frozen Yogurt Day Yogurtland releases a special limited edition, collectible froyo spoon. Last year’s spoon was a color changing spoon. This year they handed out limited edition Hershey's® collectible spoons. They look like they’re made of chocolate and they say NFYD 2015 on the back. Cute!

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

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Yogurtland Celebrates National Frozen Yogurt Day on Feb. 2nd

Fro-yo girl here. There was so much going on at Yogurtland today; they really know how to celebrate National Frozen Yogurt Day. 

Limited edition spoons: This year’s chocolate bar inspired #YogurtlandNFYD limited edition collectible spoon looked like a had a Hershey’s Chocolate bar on the end. 

Two new flavors: Yogurtland developed two new flavors with partner, Hershey’s.

• York Peppermint Pattie: It really does taste like York Peppermint Pattie but the flavor isn’t too strong, too minty or too sweet, very nice. 
• Hershey’s Chocolate Milkshake: Yogurtland’s froyo is already creamy but this flavor seems extra creamy somehow. It’s rich, creamy but not heavy. The chocolate flavor isn’t overwhelming and it doesn’t taste like a fudgsicle (most chocolate froyo seems to taste like fudgsicles). It has a smoother, more mellow flavor. 

New toppings: To go with the Hershey’s froyo flavors, Yogurtland offered new toppings: York Peppermint Patties Minis and Hershey’s Mini Kisses. With all the excitement, I forgot to look for the new toppings. 

Also, today marked the return of several Fan Choice Awards winners:

• Best International: Geneva Chocolate 
• Best Caramel: Toasted Coconut Caramel 
• Best Sweet Tooth Treat: Rocket Pop Sorbet 
• Best Bakery: Birthday Cupcake Batter 

Free froyo and toppings: I opted for Plain Tart with an Oreo cookie disk, Fruity Pebbles and strawberries. Plus guests received a coupon for a future visit. Thanks Yogurtland!

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

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

National Frozen Yogurt Day Celebrations

Fro-yo girl here. It’s a big week for froyo fans. National Frozen Yogurt Day is February 6th! Mark your calendar for the following froyo events:

• Yogurtland on Feb. 2: Visit Yogurtland’s NFYD celebration on Feb. 2nd from 4 – 7 PM. Yogurtland and its partner/sponsor, Hershey’s have 2 new froyo flavors (York Peppermint Pattie and Hershey's Chocolate Milkshake), new toppings (York Peppermint Patties Minis and Hershey's Mini Kisses), free froyo, and a limited edition Hershey's collectible spoon.
• Menchie's on Feb. 6: Menchie’s NYFD celebration on February 6 offers 6 ounces of free froyo and toppings from 4 – 8 PM. One free froyo per guest please.
• Orange Leaf on Feb. 6: Orange Leaf is rewarding its Facebook fans with a buy one, get one free offer on February 6th. To claim the offer, visit the main Orange Leaf Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/orangeleafyogurt) starting February 4. Offers are redeemable in-store on Feb. 6 with proof of claim via smartphone or printed confirmation.

All offers are valid at participating locations. Check your local froyo shops to see if they have any National Frozen Yogurt Day specials.

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

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.