Tuesday, May 30, 2023

iCream 24/7 Automated Showroom with Froyo, Acai & Ice Cream Opens in Los Angeles






Fro-yo girl here. iCream recently opened the Sky Lounge showroom in the Melrose District in West Hollywood. It’s open 24/7 because it’s fully automated. The showroom houses six intelligent vending machines. Three of them serve iCream's soft serve ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, salted butter caramel), one machine serves acai, and two machines serve Pinkberry frozen yogurt. Each machine offers one flavor. All the machines offer cups of ice cream, acai, or froyo for $6. The $6 for froyo includes toppings. A foldable spoon is attached to the bottom of the cup.

The Pinkberry vending machine offers 3 dry toppings and 3 sauces to choose from: Oreos, sprinkles, mini M&Ms, chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce, and caramel sauce.

The amount of yogurt dispensed is small (3 ounces?) but the texture and taste were pretty good, pretty similar to what you'd get at Pinkberry. The Oreo topping was a tiny bit of cookie dust. I appreciate the small portion but think it could be a dollar or two cheaper because the cup is so small. And the selection of toppings is limited.

The vending machine accepts cash (bills only) and credit cards but does not provide any change. You can pay with your phone.

The showroom provides seating and a restroom (hard to find in this area).

The vending machines provide consistent serving sizes in a sanitary setting and they can operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Labor costs are obviously lower as is rent. However, the vending machines provide limited flavors and toppings. They do not layer the froyo and toppings.

* I-CREAM: 666 N Kilkea Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90048

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.


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