Win Yogurtland Gift Cards for Your Most Appetizing Yogurtland Creations, from Fro-yo Girl

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve got a new Yogurtland Top This giveaway for my readers. Three people will win $10 Yogurtland gift cards.

  

Include #YLTopThis and @intlfroyoassn in your Instagram post along with your cup of Yogurtland froyo picture and you’ll be entered into the Fro-yo Girl contest. Enter as many times as you’d like by midnight PST on Sunday, October 18, 2015.

  

I’m looking for the most appetizing Yogurtland froyo creations. Having good froyo swirling skills always helps. At the end of the contest period, I’ll choose three winners. The winners will be announced on this blog and on Instagram.

 

Yogurtland’s Top This Instagram challenge runs through November 8th. Four people will win free froyo for a year from Yogurtland. The Yogurtland contest themes are:

 

• Most Decadent (9/14 – 9/27): “Make the most indulgent, truly mouthwatering masterpiece.”
• Most Fruit-a-licious (9/28 – 10/11): “Show us how you do healthy.”
• Most Whimsical (10/12 – 10/25): “Create the most magical and crazy creation you can.”
• Most Colossal (10/26 – 11/8): “Pile it to the sky.”

 

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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Lower Your Operational Costs with IFYA's Discounts for Frozen Yogurt Shops

Fro-yo girl here. When I founded the International Frozen Yogurt Association in 2013, one of the main goals was to help current and prospective frozen yogurt shop operators be more successful. When I spoke to frozen yogurt store operators about how the frozen yogurt association might help them, they talked about the importance of saving on operational costs.

We researched suppliers and developed partnerships with top quality suppliers who were willing to offer IFYA member discounts. We are pleased that IFYA members now enjoy savings on a wide variety of products and services. These discounts can save shops thousands of dollars a year. 

Basic IFYA membership is still free. IFYA premium members ($50/year) enjoy access to additional discounts. 

IFYA Premium Member Discounts

• Credit card processing from Green Payment Solutions (GPS): Green Payment Solutions’ new program includes a low rate guarantee and a wide range of other valuable savings, available to IFYA premium members. Green Payment Solutions has provided top quality credit card processing services to local and national merchants for more than 10 years and is recognized with A+ status by the Better Business Bureau. Contact Gene Da Lie from Green Payment Solutions at (818) 564-0577 or gened@greenpayllc.com for a no-obligation rate review of your merchant account. Learn more about Green Payment Solutions online at www.GreenPaymentSolutions.com.
• Comprehensive business compliance solutions from Payality: IFYA premium members can choose from 3 different compliance packages, all discounted more than 20% for IFYA members. The small, medium and large compliance packages come with different features and can be further customized with additional services (Extra Toppings). From Payroll, Human Resources, Employee Benefits, Worker’s Compensation Payment Administration, and Retirement Solutions, Payality’s comprehensive compliance solutions reduce their client’s costs, increase efficiency and streamline operations across the client’s business. Payality also integrates with leading workers comp carriers, including IFYA endorsed Select Marketing Insurance of California, to offer pay-as-you-go premium payments that feature no upfront deposit, premiums paid each pay period based on actual payroll, and the elimination of audit hassles. For additional information on this offer, please visit http://www.payality.com/ifya/

IFYA Member Discounts (for Basic and Premium Members)

• Workers’ Comp Insurance in California: IFYA is pleased to partner with California’s workers’ comp experts, Select Marketing Insurance Services, to offer special group rates to California frozen yogurt shop owners who are IFYA members. SMI’s special group rates are significantly lower than rates small frozen yogurt shops can get on their own. They are known for offering frozen yogurt shops the best combination of price, stability and coverage with A+ rated Preferred Employers Group (PEG). Please contact Steve Feemster, Association Advisor at SMI, at (888) 656-5678 or via email at stevef@smi-insure.com to get started or visit www.smi-insure.com for additional information.
• Special holiday promotion on gift cards: GiftRocker provides best in class gifting and marketing tools for extraordinary shopkeepers including Cups Frozen Yogurt and Pitango Gelato. GiftRocker is offering a FROYO November Offer (use the promo code FROYONOVO) for IFYA members signing up before December 1st. With the FROYONOVO promotion, your first 5 gift cards are free in November and December. After that, you will enjoy the industry’s most Fair & Flexible pricing plan: no monthly subscription and your unit cost decreases as your volume increases. Sign up today!
• Limited time offer on digital signage solution: Oalla, an innovative new venture based on a technology developed by a Stanford University student has a wide library of apps that allow digital signs to showcase curated content from Instagram, Facebook and Yelp, let customers vote for their favorite frozen yogurt flavor, offer customers games to play, etc.
  Try Oalla risk free and at a special low price. This special offer is limited to the first 100 people that sign up. Visit http://try.oalla.com/ifya to sign up for this special deal.

Discounts on Products

• 15% off your first Nanci’s Frozen Yogurt purchase when you mention IFYA and your IFYA username (new Nanci’s customers only)
• Free shipping on all Spaceman USA equipment when you mention IFYA and your IFYA username
• 15% off Jefe toppings dispensers. To redeem, mention IFYA and your IFYA username when you call Forte Supply at (720) 328-1431
• 20% off your FrozenDessertSupplies.com order (discount can only be used once) when you mention IFYA and your IFYA username
• 10% off your first GoDivide order of frozen yogurt cup dividers when you mention IFYA and your IFYA username

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.

Fro-Yo Girl Speaks 6th Blogiversary

Fro-yo girl here. Fro-Yo Girl Speaks turns 6 years old today: October 20, 2014. Happy blogiversary!

Earlier this year I moved to the Greater Los Angeles area, the capital of the second wave of frozen yogurt. Unfortunately, the move makes it nearly impossible for me to meet my original goal of visiting every frozen yogurt shop in the Bay Area. I thought I was going to reach the goal since fewer new froyo stores were opening. On the positive side, I’m now living in an area with hundreds of frozen yogurt shops that I’ve never visited before.

Since I’ve moved, it makes sense for this blog to expand its coverage to include Northern and Southern California froyo. I recently put together my list of notable froyo shops in SoCal. Be sure to check it out later this week.

I also stopped writing for Yelp last October. For those of you who enjoy my food and froyo shop reviews, be sure to check out my review blog on Tumblr: http://formeryelpers.tumblr.com/

Join the International Frozen Yogurt Association, the association that I founded. It’s free to join. The monthly enewsletter is also free and will deliver froyo industry news to your inbox. http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/

Froyo fans, be sure to sign the petition to make froyo the official state food of California! Tell your friends to sign too: http://tinyurl.com/qdnuqkx

Thank you so much to my fans and readers and keep eating frozen yogurt!

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.

IFYA Celebrates Turning 1 with a Froyo Tote Bag Giveaway

Fro-yo girl here. Yes, it was a year ago today that the International Frozen Yogurt Association was launched. The IFYA was formed to support, recognize and reward those in the worldwide frozen yogurt industry. Nearly 500 members representing 58 countries have since joined the IFYA, making it the largest frozen yogurt community.

About the IFYA

• The IFYA launched the first quality seal program specifically for frozen yogurt shops. 
• The IFYA launched two contests for frozen yogurt shops to recognize and reward excellence in frozen yogurt. 
• IFYA members enjoy a wide range of exclusive member discounts on frozen yogurt mix, frozen yogurt machines, toppings dispensers, cup dividers, insurance and HR/payroll services.

IFYA Froyo Tote Bag Giveaway

To celebrate turning 1, the IFYA is giving away limited edition custom IFYA tote bags to IFYA members. One grand prize winner will receive a tote bag filled with various frozen yogurt goodies. All winners will receive IFYA buttons. It's free to join the IFYA and membership is open to any froyo fan or trade member: http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/

These are the first ever IFYA tote bags. Made out of 10 oz. heavyweight cotton canvas with a bottom gusset and navy polypropylene handles, these sturdy bags are 15" (L) X 14.5" (H) X 3" (W) Handles - 22" Long.

How to Win

Check the IFYA Facebook page starting tomorrow, July 30, at 12 PM/noon Pacific Time for the daily trivia question. One question will be posted at noon PT starting July 30th.

The first IFYA member to provide the correct answer and his/her IFYA username to the question of the day wins a tote bag.

Winners must be IFYA members, provide a US shipping address and be at least 18 years of age. Limit: one prize per IFYA membership account.

No purchase necessary. Winners will be announced by the IFYA on the IFYA Facebook page and IFYA website. 

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.

Vote for Your Favorite Creative Froyo Flavors by August 13

Fro-yo girl here. The top five flavors submitted to the “Creative Froyo Flavor Awards” contest have been named and now it’s time to find the most popular creative froyo flavors. Cast your vote and tell us your favorite creative froyo flavors. Vote today on the International Frozen Yogurt Association Facebook page. The voting period ends at midnight PST on August 13, 2014.

The flavor with the most votes will be named the Grand Prize Winner, while the flavor with the second highest vote count will take home the 2nd place prize. Tell your friends to vote too.

Five Creative Froyo Flavors

• Cannoli by Yo Luv It
• Nutella by Yo Luv It
• Thai Iced Tea by Yogurt Hut
• Chocolate Raspberry Amaretto by Yotopia
• Strawberries & Cream by Yotopia

The Creative Froyo Flavor Awards contest, brought to you by the International Frozen Yogurt Association and FrozenDessertSupplies.com, recognizes and promotes frozen yogurt shops that create their own unique, creative flavors.

Contest winners will receive a prize package of frozen yogurt supplies from FrozenDessertSupplies.com.

The Prizes

Grand Prize Winner (~$400 value)

• Any 2 Cases of Cups (600 – 1000 cups/case depending on size)
• Any 2 Cases of Spoons (1000 spoons/case)
• Any 2 Cases of Lids (600 – 1000 lids/case depending on size)

2nd Place Winner (~$200 value)

• Any 1 Case of Cups (600 – 1000 cups/case depending on size)
• Any 1 Case of Spoons (1000 spoons/case)
• Any 1 Case of Lids (600-1000 lids/case depending on size)

For additional information about the contest, visit the IFYA Facebook page and the official rules. Vote today.

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

About the International Frozen Yogurt Association

The International Frozen Yogurt Association (IFYA) serves as an unbiased source of support and information for current and prospective frozen yogurt store operators. The Association works to set and promote standards to elevate the quality of frozen yogurt stores and recognizes those that meet the Swirl of Honor™ standards of the industry. IFYA represents frozen yogurt shops, suppliers and consumers across the world. Their audience is diverse in background yet united by a common love of frozen yogurt. Visit the IFYA website, http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/, for additional information.

About FrozenDessertSupplies.com

FrozenDessertSupplies.com strives to be the #1 online supplier of products to frozen yogurt, ice cream and the gelato industry. We happily serve thousands of customers all across the US. We supply frozen yogurt, ice cream and gelato cups, lids, spoons, souffle sample cups and much more. We pride ourselves on low prices, fast delivery and free shipping all while having the best customer service in the industry.

We have helped 1,000′s of our customers with their custom printing needs. We offer customized logo and artwork printing for our frozen yogurt cups, clear plastic smoothie cups, as well as our paper drink cups and coffee cups. We even offer customized spoons and we make the process simply and fun.

FrozenDessertSupplies.com has a simple mission, it is to enable frozen yogurt, ice cream and gelato stores to have a one stop shop where they can get all their frozen dessert packaging and supplies. We consider our customers part of our family, so please come join us and be part of the family.

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.

Creative Froyo Flavor Awards Continues, Enter Your Flavors by July 15

The Creative Froyo Flavor Awards Contest has been extended. Froyo shops are invited to submit their creative froyo flavors by July 15. Winners will receive prize packages with frozen yogurt cups, spoons and lids from FrozenDessertSupplies.com

The International Frozen Yogurt Association (IFYA) and FrozenDessertSupplies.com’s “Creative Froyo Flavor Awards” contest is looking for the best, most creative froyo flavors. It's time to impress us with your froyo flavor creativity. 

To enter, post a picture of the flavor card for that flavor and a picture of the frozen yogurt flavor to be judged to the IFYA Facebook page, www.facebook.com/froyoassociation by midnight PST on 7/15/2014.

The “Creative Froyo Flavor Awards” contest is open to all frozen yogurt stores in the US. Up to two entries (two flavors) are allowed per shop.

The “Creative Froyo Flavor Awards” contest recognizes and promotes frozen yogurt shops that create their own unique, creative flavors. All submitted froyo flavors will be judged by a panel of frozen yogurt experts for creativity and appeal. The experts will pick the top 5 flavors and the public will vote on the final five flavors.

Contest winners will receive a prize package of frozen yogurt supplies from FrozenDessertSupplies.com.

THE PRIZES

Grand Prize Winner (~$400 value)

• Any 2 Cases of Cups (600 – 1000 cups/case depending on size)
• Any 2 Cases of Spoons (1000 spoons/case)
• Any 2 Cases of Lids (600 – 1000 lids/case depending on size)

2nd Place Winner (~$200 value)

• Any 1 Case of Cups (600 – 1000 cups/case depending on size)
• Any 1 Case of Spoons (1000 spoons/case)
• Any 1 Case of Lids (600-1000 lids/case depending on size)

For additional information about the contest, visit the IFYA Facebook page and the official rules.

About the International Frozen Yogurt Association

The International Frozen Yogurt Association (IFYA) serves as an unbiased source of support and information for current and prospective frozen yogurt store operators. The Association works to set and promote standards to elevate the quality of frozen yogurt stores and recognizes those that meet the Swirl of Honor™ standards of the industry. IFYA represents frozen yogurt shops, suppliers and consumers across the world. Their audience is diverse in background yet united by a common love of frozen yogurt. Visit the IFYA website, http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/, for additional information.

About FrozenDessertSupplies.com

FrozenDessertSupplies.com strives to be the #1 online supplier of products to frozen yogurt, ice cream and the gelato industry. We happily serve thousands of customers all across the US. We supply frozen yogurt, ice cream and gelato cups, lids, spoons, souffle sample cups and much more. We pride ourselves on low prices, fast delivery and free shipping all while having the best customer service in the industry.

We have helped 1,000′s of our customers with their custom printing needs. We offer customized logo and artwork printing for our frozen yogurt cups, clear plastic smoothie cups, as well as our paper drink cups and coffee cups. We even offer customized spoons and we make the process simply and fun.

FrozenDessertSupplies.com has a simple mission, it is to enable frozen yogurt, ice cream and gelato stores to have a one stop shop where they can get all their frozen dessert packaging and supplies. We consider our customers part of our family, so please come join us and be part of the family.

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.

Enter New & Existing Cup Designs & Your Shop Could Win 10,000 Custom Froyo Cups from CarryOutSupplies.com

Fro-yo girl here. Calling all froyo shops in the US! Do you have a froyo cup design that you’re proud of? Do you need a cup makeover? Or do you have plain froyo cups or cups with stickers?

If you answered yes to any of the questions, it's time to Put Your Best Cup Forward and enter the cup design contest from CarryOutSupplies.com and the International Frozen Yogurt Association.

Enter your new or existing cup designs in the Put Your Best Cup Forward design contest. 

THE PRIZE: 10,000 custom printed 16 oz. froyo cups

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Take a picture of your existing cups (if the front and the back design are different, we want to see both sides of the cup) OR create your new cup design. You can enter up to three different cup designs.
2. Upload the cup designs to IFYA Facebook page or tag your pictures on Twitter with #PutYourBestCupForward. Enter by 3/31/2014.
3. To move on to the judging phase, your design must receive at least 10 votes on Facebook so tell your customers, friends, fans, followers, family, etc. to vote for your design. Voting ends on 3/31/2014.

For additional information about the contest, including the full contest rules, visit the IFYA Facebook page.

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.

Fro-Yo Girl Speaks is 5 Years Old

Fro-yo girl here. Yes, it's the fifth blogiversary for Fro-Yo Girl Speaks. 

It’s been a very exciting year for me because I decided to start the International Frozen Yogurt Association (IFYA) which launched at the end of July 2013. The IFYA promotes the success of the frozen yogurt industry by recognizing quality frozen yogurt stores, increasing access to quality frozen yogurt information, and educating and engaging frozen yogurt consumers. The association is for everyone who loves frozen yogurt. Membership is free. 

I'm excited about IFYA's Swirl of Honor, the first quality seal program specifically for frozen yogurt shops, recognizes shops for their commitment to quality. I hope to see plenty of Swirl of Honor stickers on shop windows.

Initially I thought that after I launched the IFYA, I'd have less content for Fro-Yo Girl Speaks, but the opposite has occurred. Now I spend even more of my time thinking about and writing about frozen yogurt. 

I'm very close to reaching my goal of visiting every frozen yogurt shop in the Bay Area. There aren't as many openings these days and some places have closed before I had a chance to visit them. 

Thank you so much to my fans and readers and keep eating frozen yogurt!

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.

Benefits of Joining the International Frozen Yogurt Association

Fro-yo girl here. Frozen yogurt fans, shop operators, and frozen yogurt suppliers I know there are millions of you out there. Come join the International Frozen Yogurt Association and let’s build a true frozen yogurt community together. With your free registration, you can meet other frozen yogurt fans and trade members, chat about frozen yogurt, keep up with frozen yogurt news and trends, and post free frozen yogurt classified ads. You can buy/sell/trade anything frozen yogurt related.

We’ve assembled an impressive team of frozen yogurt industry experts who are on hand to provide their advice and answer your questions.

IFYA's Swirl of Honor, the first quality seal program specifically for frozen yogurt shops, recognizes shops for their commitment to quality. The IFYA believes in quality frozen yogurt, superior customer service, store cleanliness and environmentally friendly business practices. Frozen yogurt shops are rated on a scale of one to three Swirls.

Benefits for frozen yogurt fans:

• Chat with other frozen yogurt fans
• Buy/sell/trade items with other frozen yogurt fans
• Learn more about frozen yogurt information (e.g., FAQs, glossary of terms)
• Find quality frozen yogurt shops (Swirl of Honor members)

Benefits for frozen yogurt trade members:

• Chat with others in the frozen yogurt industry
• Receive recognition for your shop’s commitment to excellence with the Swirl of Honor program
• Keep up with frozen yogurt industry news and trends
• Find frozen yogurt information (e.g., training programs, helpful links) or ask our IFYA expert
• Buy/sell/trade frozen yogurt items to frozen yogurt shops

The IFYA is working on adding new features and running some exciting frozen yogurt promotions. The association is for you frozen yogurt fans and trade members, so we want to hear from you often. For additional information, visit the IFYA website.

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

New Frozen Yogurt Association for Store Operators, Suppliers & Frozen Yogurt Fans

Fro-yo girl here. The big day is finally here after months of research, planning and preparation...the International Frozen Yogurt Association (IFYA) is launching today!

The IFYA will promote the success of the frozen yogurt industry by recognizing quality frozen yogurt stores, increasing the access to quality frozen yogurt information and educating and engaging frozen yogurt consumers. Membership is free and open to anyone interested in frozen yogurt. I’d like the IFYA to be fun and helpful for everyone who enjoys frozen yogurt.

As for my personal blog, I’ll continue to write new blog posts for Fro-yo Girl Speaks. The IFYA blog will cover IFYA news, profile the movers and shakers of the frozen yogurt world, etc. I’ve decided to convert my existing Twitter (@froyogirl) and Pinterest accounts to IFYA/Fro-yo Girl accounts. You can also follow the IFYA on Instagram and Facebook. I’ll continue to tweet about frozen yogurt news and events and pin pretty cups of frozen yogurt. Lately I’ve been pinning frozen yogurt shop logos, frozen yogurt trucks, and pictures of frozen yogurt shops.

Finally, I wanted to thank the following frozen yogurt people for their support and inspiration over the years: Marc Duschenes, Ariel Ford, Donna Hudson, Jane Kim, Roy Lam, Kim Larson, Jonathan Rim, Mike Woodson, Tyler Bargas, Barbara Rhoades, Jason Rhoades, and the IFYA’s founding sponsor, Jeff Resnick of Forte Supply. Friends and family members, thank you for putting up with all my frozen yogurt talk.

Please visit the IFYA website and sign up for a free membership today!

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