My Best Froyo Swirl of 2022

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve looked at all the froyo cups and cones that I consumed this year and found my best looking self-swirl. My best looking swirl happened during my first visit to the new Easy Breezy in Los Gatos. I chose three flavors, vanilla bean gelato, plain tart froyo, and vegan strawberry breeze and added different toppings to each. The proportions of froyo are about equal and the toppings are neatly placed. Yum!

I’ve had 145 cups (and cones) of froyo this year, more than last year’s 134 cups but less than the 153 cups in 2020. My first cup of froyo this year was True Tahini from Yoga-urt in Echo Park (the froyo is naturally sweetened with no sugar added, vegan, organic, and Mr. Froyo’s favorite). My last cup was the plain froyo at Anita Gelato. They opened this year in Tarzana.

Of the 145 cups/cones of froyo, 60% were self-serve (or in some cases, partial serve). A few places that were self-serve still don’t allow customers to add their own toppings (e.g., Yogurtland Eagle Rock, Yogurtland Burbank) but most are back to self-serve froyo and self-serve toppings. In 2021, only 31% of my cups were self-serve and in 2020 that number was 23%.

I’m a big fan of getting just one froyo flavor per visit. This year, 88% of my cups had one flavor. Last year, 90% of my cups had a single flavor. I’m consistent! Eight-one percent of my cups had were dairy-based in 2022 compared to 26% in 2021 and 25% in 2020.

You can see every cup of froyo that I consumed on my Pinterest board.

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.

Painful California Froyo Shop Closures of 2022

Yogurtland, Burbank, Media Center

Fro-yo girl here. Before turning the page on another year, I like to take a moment to remember a few froyo shops that closed during the year. This year, there were fewer froyo shop closures and none of the closures were very painful, but I do have a few that I'd like to mention.

Menchie's, 1040 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA 91030

Menchie's South Pasadena closed this summer. It was the one closest to my house, so I'd been there many times. Truthfully, it went downhill a long time ago many years ago. Part of me is glad that it closed because it reached such a miserable state. The soft serve machines were acting up and they barely offered any flavors. Sometimes the froyo was very icy. 

Yogurt World, 701 Sonoma Mountain Pkwy Suit, B-3, Petaluma, CA 94954

I've never been to the Yogurt World in Petaluma, but it was over 30 years old, so it deserves a mention.

Yogurtland, 304 N San Fernando Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502

There are two Yogurtland locations in Burbank. The one in downtown Burbank closed in the fall. I've gone by a few times since then, and the space hadn't been cleared out yet. 

Yogurtland Burbank Media Center was nearly 13 years old. I went a few times, including to the 5th anniversary celebration.

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.

2022 California Froyo Shop Openings & Closings

Fro-yo girl here. It's been an interesting year for froyo in California. While froyo shops continued to deal with rising costs and supply shortages, the number of non-froyo shops offering froyo seemed to be higher than ever, thanks to froyo vending machines (iCream partnered with Pinkberry) and Nick the Greek. Amazon Go opened three shops in Southern California, two of which offer self-serve Pinkberry froyo.

I tried to keep track of any place that serves froyo in soft serve form, including restaurants, convenience stores, pop-ups, froyo trucks and trailers, vending machines, and more. As usual, it's easier to find out about openings since many places close quietly, without making any announcement. 

Froyo Shop Openings (Includes Froyo Trucks)

1. Abyss Yogurt, inside Abyss Market, Valley Village
2. Cool Spot, Brentwood (froyo truck)
3. Easy Breezy, Los Gatos
4. Golden Spoon, Valencia (Northpark)
5. Joy Sedona, Lake Balboa
6. K&J Froyo & Kafe, Hanford
7. Lizzy’s Premium Frozen Yogurt, Desert Hot Springs 
8. Never Better Frozen Yogurt, Lake Elsinore
9. NuYo, Blue Oaks, West Roseville
10. Sprinkles on Top, Elk Grove
11. Sweet Spot, Escalon
12. Tuttimelon, Fairfield
13. Waffie & Yogie, Long Beach
14. Yogurt Mill, Modesto (froyo truck)
15. Yogurt Stop, Walnut Creek
16. Yogurtland, Fresno – El Paseo 
17. Yogurtland, Palmdale - East Ave.
18. Yogurtland, Madera
19. Yogurtland, Pixley

Not a Froyo Shop but Serves Froyo

1. Active Culture, Long Beach
2. Amazon Go, Whittier 
3. Amazon Go, Woodland Hills 
4. Anita Gelato, Tarzana
5. Jayna Gyro, Sacramento
6. K Street, Oakland
7. Loop Market, Sacramento
8. Nick the Greek, Daly City (Gellert)
9. Nick the Greek, Elk Grove
10. Nick the Greek, Foster City
11. Nick the Greek, Fresno
12. Nick the Greek, Novato
13. Nick the Greek, Roseville - Fountains
14. Nick the Greek, San Francisco
15. Nick the Greek, Santa Rosa
16. Nick the Greek, Vacaville
17. Nick the Greek, Walnut Creek
18. Souvla, Dogpatch, San Francisco
19. Sweetie’s Ice Cream Shop, Santa Barbara
20. Valley Swirl, Los Angeles (moved)

Vending Machines

1. Pinkberry, Cabazon, Palm Springs
2. Pinkberry, Westfield Santa Anita, Arcadia
3. Pinkberry, Topanga, Canoga Park
4. Pinkberry, Oaks Mall, Thousand Oaks
5. Pinkberry, Beverly Center, Los Angeles
6. Pinkberry, Ontario International Airport, Terminal 2
7. Pinkberry, Ontario International Airport, Terminal 4
8. Pinkberry, Pacific View Mall, Ventura

That's a total of 46 new places that serve froyo: 18 new froyo shops (including two froyo trucks), 20 non-froyo shops, and 8 froyo vending machines. In 2021, I found 26 new places that started serving froyo, including 15 new froyo shops, 10 non-froyo shops that serve froyo, plus one existing café that added froyo. That's a lot more in 2022 vs. 2021. 

I didn’t count the rebranded froyo businesses or the ones under new ownership, but I did try to track both.

Name Change/Rebranded

• U Top It Subs & Sweets, Ukiah (moved, changed name from U Top It)

New Ownership

1. JoJo’s Yogurt, Clovis
2. Menchie's, Fremont
3. Tutti Frutti Canyon Country, Santa Clarita
4. Urban Yogurt, Shingle Springs
5. Waffie & Yogie, Long Beach

Closings

1. Big Spoon, Roseville
2. Cherry Chill, Ontario
3. Go Crazy, Concord
4. Hogi Yogi, Redlands
5. Menchie’s South Pasadena
6. Menchie's, Santa Maria
7. Mickey’s Yogurt, Riverside
8. Owl’s Ice Cream, Porter Ranch
9. PennyLane, Campbell
10. Riyo Yogurt, Lotus
11. Tutti Frutti, Buena Park
12. Tutti Frutti, North Hills
13. Tutti Frutti, Piedmont, Oakland
14. Valley Swirl, Los Angeles (moved)
15. YoFrutti, Moorpark
16. Yogurt Creations, Santa Maria
17. Yogurt World USA, Petaluma
18. Yogurtland, Santa Ana – Main Place Mall
19. Yogurtland, Brentwood
20. Yogurtland, Burbank - Downtown
21. Yogurtland, Whittier

As for froyo shop closings, I found twenty-one this year (and some weren't technically froyo shops, but I grouped them together since most were froyo shops). Three Yogurtland locations closed in Southern California and two Menchie's locations. One Yogurtland location closed in Northern California. In 2021, I found 45 closings, including 8 Menchie’s locations, 2 Pinkberry locations, 4 Tutti Frutti locations, and 6 Yogurtland locations. 

And more froyo is on the way. I found 20 places listed as opening soon.

Coming soon

1. Beary Bliss, Big Bear Lake
2. Menchie's, Burbank (moved)
3. Nick the Greek, Berkeley
4. Nick the Greek, Folsom
5. Nick the Greek, Hayward
6. Nick the Greek, Hollister
7. Nick the Greek, Marin
8. Nick the Greek, Monterey
9. Nick the Greek, Mountain View
10. Nick the Greek, Natomas
11. Nick the Greek, Oakland
12. Nick the Greek, Palo Alto
13. Nick the Greek, Sacramento
14. Nick the Greek, Salinas
15. Nick the Greek, Sonoma
16. Nick the Greek, Stockton
17. Nick the Greek, Tracy
18. Pinkberry, Manteca (1st drive-thru)
19. Souvla, Larkspur
20. Yoba, Ontario

Since I find out about openings and closings after publishing my post, I’ll keep updating this post. Did I miss any openings or closings? Let me know.

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.

The 2022 Christmas Spirit Froyo Shop Winner

 

Fro-yo girl here. Last Christmas, 16 Handles in Stamford, Connecticut was named the first winner of the Christmas Spirit Froyo Shop (Virtual) Award. They demonstrated their holiday spirit with elaborate window displays and store decorations and they had two holiday new flavors: Butter Cookie ice cream and Cinnamon Bun oatmilk soft serve. They even had a staff holiday party. Congrats!

This year, I’ve seen new holiday froyo flavors, holiday toppings, holiday spoons, holiday cups, holiday promotions, holiday gift card designs, festive store decorations, holiday froyo cakes, visits from Santa, and more. Taking all of these into consideration, the froyo shop (or chain) with the most holiday spirit in 2022 is…Yogurtland.

It’s been years since Yogurtland has shown this much holiday spirit. Remember their annual Yuletide promotions when they introduced 12 holiday flavors? Think back a decade. When they first started the promo, they had a new holiday flavor available for one day for 12 consecutive days! 

It’s nice to see that they’ve got their holiday spirit back. This year, they had a new holiday cup design featuring gold stars on a background of red and burgundy, a cup of froyo, and the words Love, Hope, and Joy. Then there were two new holiday flavors, Chocolate Peppermint Cookie froyo and Snickerdoodle froyo, new holiday toppings (mini Stroopwaffel cookies, holiday tree gummies), and a new holiday spoon that’s red and has a present on the end of the handle. It didn’t end there. They introduced an intriguing White Elephant froyo flavor, which apparently is more than one flavor. There’s an online exclusive froyo creation called the Sugar and Spice cup which features Snickerdoodle froyo topped with Holiday Gummies and Stroopwafels. The gift cards feature holiday designs. They gave out Yogurtland holiday sticker sheets and had a few holiday promos and giveaways, like double points for Real Rewards members. Also, there’s new Yogurtland merchandise, including apparel for adults and kids, bibs, giant froyo spoons, mugs, tumblers, hats, totes, backpacks, pet accessories, and more. Proceeds from the sale of Yogurtland merchandise will be donated to Yogurtland Cares, Yogurtland's non-profit that supports organizations that assist women and children. So, they’re helping others during the holidays (and beyond).

My Christmas-y froyo images Pinterest board has over 1,500 images. https://www.pinterest.com/froyogirl/christmas-y-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.

My Favorite Froyo Flavors of 2022

 

Limoncello by Pinkberry

Fro-yo girl here. This was a good year for new froyo flavors. The International Frozen Yogurt Association found 77 new froyo flavors that were introduced in 2022. Sadly, I wasn’t able to try them all but I did try all the new flavors from Menchie’s, Pinkberry, and Yogurtland. That’s 30 new flavors that I tried this year. And my favorite flavors were…

Best Tart Froyo: Tie between Limoncello and Strawberry Shortcake by Pinkberry

I just can’t choose between the two. Love the slightly bitter edge of the Limoncello froyo. Both were tangy and smooth. So good!!!

Best Sweet Froyo: Snickerdoodle by Yogurtland

Snickerdoodle is mild and scrumptious, like snickerdoodle cookies are. The cinnamon is not overpowering. It goes so well with so many toppings especially cookie toppings.

Best Vegan Non-Froyo: Watermelon sorbet made with Sour Patch Kids by Yogurtland

I’ve loved Sour Patch Kids for a long time. I still had my doubts about a sorbet that’s candy flavor. Yogurtland pulled it off. Yes, it tastes like candy but the tanginess makes it addictive. I had it a couple of times and I rarely like sorbets.

2022 had some great new flavors. To see a list of 2022’s new flavors, see https://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/news/new-froyo-flavors-and-trends-of-2022

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.

New Froyo Spoons of 2022

 

Menchie's 15th birthday spoons

Fro-yo girl here. You know I love my froyo spoons. So, froyo spoon collectors out there, these were the new froyo spoons that were released in the US in 2022. I’ve noted the shop, spoon color, and theme.

New spoons:

• Menchie’s, green, Spring for Froyo! Chip with a skateboard
• Menchie’s, teal, 15th birthday, Let’s Celebrate spoon with Menchie wearing a party hat
• Menchie’s, grey, Mellow Hooked on Books
• sweetFrog, pink color-changing, Gabby’s Playhouse
• Yogurtland, green, Sour Patch Kids
• Yogurtland, giant turquoise spoon for National Spoon Day
• Yogurtland, red, wrapped Christmas present spoon

There were seven new froyo spoon designs, the same as in 2021. One of the new spoons was a giant spoon.

I noticed Moyo in Mexico introduced a new spoon for the new Minions movie.

Check out all the fancy froyo spoons on the Pinterest board, Fancy Froyo Spoons.

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.

New Test Flavor at Menchie’s: Vegan Cake Batter

 

Fro-yo girl here. I recently visited Menchie’s in Encino, California and there was a new test flavor, Vegan Cake Batter made with almond milk. It’s kosher and made with no artificial flavors and no artificial flavors.

Vegan Cake Batter was smooth and creamy but it tasted like egg nog to me, though I could taste the almonds too. It was unusual…didn’t really like it. I don’t like cake batter froyo in general.

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

* MENCHIE’S: 17245 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA 91316

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.

Amazon Go Opens in Torrance, CA Without Pinkberry & in Woodland Hills With Pinkberry

Amazon Go Torrance

Fro-yo girl here. Amazon Go, Amazon’s convenience store, opened quietly in Torrance, CA last month. The Torrance store is their second in the Los Angeles area and is 6,100 sq. ft. The first opened in Whittier, CA in September 2022. The new Amazon Go format first opened in Mill Creek, Washington in April 2022. The new format features Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” technology that allows shoppers to use the Amazon app to skip the checkout. The technology tracks what you walk out with and charges your Amazon account.

Amazon Go offers grab-and-go food and beverages, freshly prepared food including sandwiches, wraps, salads, breakfast burritos, breakfast sandwiches, and avocado toast, hot food (e.g., cheese pizza, sandwiches), snacks, essentials, coffee, pastries, kombucha on tap, etc. However, the Torrance location does NOT have self-serve Pinkberry froyo! The information provided by Amazon Go to Yelp shows that they have Pinkberry in Torrance. I looked all over for the Pinkberry machine and to confirm, spoke to the store clerk. 

Amazon Go, Woodland Hills

The Woodland Hills Amazon Go opened on December 1 and it does have self-serve Pinkberry for $4.99 (flat rate). The price includes toppings. They had two flavors of froyo: original and pomegranate and three kinds of toppings: mini milk chocolate gems, granola, and chocolate chips. FYI, the store is filled with potential toppings, like fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, scones, vegan donuts, nuts, potato chips, candy, and more.

Amazon Go is a nicer convenience store and has lower prices on some of the same items carried by Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh. The prepared food is better than the average convenience store. You can also use the Just Walk Out Technology and skip the trip to the register. Also, you can place your food order at a kiosk. The $3 breakfast sandwiches are fresh, customizable (made to order), and really good.

Amazon hopes to have zero carbon certification for these three outlets in Southern California soon.

* AMAZON GO: 22135 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503

* AMAZON GO: 22001 Ventura Blvd Woodland Hills, CA 91364

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.

Humphrey Slocombe Creates Frozen Yogurt Ice Cream Inspired by Frozen the Musical

Fro-yo girl here. It’s been six years since I last mentioned Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream. I’ve mentioned them twice because they sometimes offer scoopable froyo. Well, they have froyo, aka yogurt ice cream right now. Their new flavor, FROZEN, is inspired by the new Disney FROZEN musical.

FROZEN is a yogurt ice cream with lemon, blueberries, and blue spirulina. The spirulina gives it that blue color you’d associate with FROZEN the movie/ the musical. It’s described as lightly sweet and perfectly tart. I ordered a scoop of FROZEN. It did taste like yogurt and it was slightly tart. I love blueberries and lemon together. Surprisingly, I could barely taste either. It tasted more like brown sugar and cream, with a yogurt aftertaste. The texture was thick, dense, and creamy but it did not taste like blueberries or lemon. I didn’t love it or hate it.

FROZEN yogurt ice cream is available at Humphry Slocombe scoop shops through December 15. There are 6 scoop shops in the Bay Area, including in SF, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, and Redwood City.

To celebrate the new flavor and musical, they gave away tickets to see FROZEN in San Francisco and also pints of the new FROZEN flavor. That giveaway has ended though.

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.

New Menchie’s Flavor: Peppermint Brownie, New Puss In Boots Cup

Fro-yo girl here. I’m back from Menchie’s Encino, which had a small Christmas tree, holiday gift card offer, holiday froyo flavors, and a new Puss In Boots promo.

NEW Peppermint Brownie made with Hershey's Chocolate froyo: The new festive flavor is made with real Hershey’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, cake batter, peppermint, and cocoa. The froyo contains no artificial flavors, no artificial colors, and no high-fructose corn syrup. I could taste the peppermint but the chocolate tasted chalky. I guess the cake batter made it chalky. Not a fan of cake batter froyo. The texture was smooth and creamy.

They brought back Holiday Eggnog froyo which does taste like eggnog. I don’t like eggnog though.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Partnership: Menchie's has a new cup design that features Dreamworks Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. The new cups are available for a limited time. I also spotted some Puss in Boots signs near the froyo machines. Puss in Boots favorite flavor is Blackberry Burst according to the sign.

Double Points on 12/13: FYI, be sure to save the date, December 13 and scan your Menchie’s app that day for double smiles.

Holiday Gift Card Offer: Finally, you’ll get a FREE $5 bonus card when you buy $25 in Menchie’s gift cards in store. The offer ends on December 31, 2022.

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.

New Pressed Freeze Flavor: Mint Freeze

Fro-yo girl here. Pressed has been introducing so many new Freeze flavors this year. Wow. The newest flavor is Spirulina Mint which is made with better for you ingredients: agave syrup, coconut cream, almonds, mint natural flavor, sea salt, and spirulina extract. Spirulina is a blue-green algae that’s rich in vitamins and minerals.

Mint Freeze: It’s icier and the mint flavor wasn’t as strong as I expected. The soft serve had tiny yellow bits throughout and I’m not sure what they were. Spirulina? It was sweet and refreshing without tasting like toothpaste. It wasn’t bad but the Pumpkin Freeze was much better.

Pressed has a new seasonal sundae called Mint Chocolate Chip. It’s made with Mint Freeze and topped with chocolate chips and cacao drizzle.

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 Testing New Flavor, Dark Chocolate Candy

Fro-yo girl here. I recently visited Menchie’s in Encino, California – that’s the location where they test new flavors and ask for guest feedback. The newest test flavor is Dark Chocolate Candy made with Dove Dark Chocolate frozen yogurt. It’s made with no artificial flavors and no artificial flavors.

Dark Chocolate Candy tasted like other Menchie’s chocolate froyo flavors in the past – something like fudgsicle. There was just a hint of dark chocolate. It was sweeter and more like milk chocolate. It wasn’t as good as Menchie’s Rich Dark Chocolate made with Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate.

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

* MENCHIE’S: 17245 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA 91316

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.