Menchie’s University Needs a Makeover, Testing New Flavor, Full Service for Now, Curbside Pickup

Fro-yo girl here. I hadn’t been to Menchie’s University in Encino, CA in months because of the coronavirus pandemic, but I like going to see what they’re testing. Sure enough, there was a test flavor, Cinnamon Graham Cracker. I loved Menchie’s Golden Graham Cracker flavor, so I had high hopes. Hmm, I did not like Cinnamon Graham Cracker though – it seemed too sweet. But it did complement the Pumpkin Spice with Nilla froyo.

I wasn’t thrilled that they offered flat rate pricing because you can’t get exactly what you want or control the quantity. I wasn’t feeling like having a lot of froyo but the smallest option (Small w/ up to two flavors of froyo and 1 topping) felt too large. They wrote in the corner or price by weight but didn’t mention that option to me. She assumed I’d get the flat rate cup.

I was surprised that Menchie’s University did not have any of the new Connected cups. Also, the sign on the side of the building looks like it caught fire? It looks awful. Why wouldn’t they fix or remove it? Menchie’s University shouldn’t look this bad.

Menchie’s recently launched curbside pickup, available through the Menchie’s app. However, when I launch the Menchie’s app, my nearest location doesn’t even have the current flavors listed, let alone offer curbside pickup through the app. I don’t see a way to place an order other than calling the shop – and if that’s the case, who needs the Menchie’s app to do that?

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

* MENCHIE’S UNIVERSITY: 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.

Menchie’s is Testing Froyo + Acai Superbowls

Fro-yo girl here. Remember back in 2015 when Menchie’s released Power Pomegranate Acai and encouraged guests to make their own acai bowls? Menchie’s is testing acai bowls again, only this time they’re combining froyo with acai and calling the creation a Superbowl. They’re using Sambazon Amazon acai. Several Superbowl recipes were provided, including the Super Berry, Tropicalicious, and PB Power Boost.

I spotted the Froyo + Acai Superbowls at Menchie’s University in Encino, CA. I also spotted new three new organic granolas from Nature’s Path: Love Crunch, Pumpin Seed + Flax, and Summer Berries.

I didn’t try a Superbowl because I just don’t like acai bowls. Someone must be eating acai bowls. At this point, many froyo chains have carried acai bowls, including 16 Handles, Orange Leaf, Pinkberry, Red Mango, and Yogurtland.

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

* MENCHIE’S UNIVERSITY: 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.

New Test Flavor at Menchie’s: OREO Fruit Crème

Fro-yo girl here. Menchie’s University in Encino, CA is currently testing a new frozen yogurt flavor, OREO Cookie with Fruit Crème. Did Nabisco make Oreos with fruit crème? They probably did, since there’s a frozen yogurt version now. The fruit crème seems to be a mixture of lemon, lime and cherry flavors. Chocolate cookies with fruit crème don’t sound too appealing.

OREO Cookie with Fruit Crème: It tasted like a mild chocolate frozen yogurt but slightly different because of the hint of fruit flavors. It wasn’t terrible but the fruit flavors were quite faint. Had they been stronger, the froyo might have tasted worse. But it didn’t have much Oreo cookie flavor. The texture was light and creamy.

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

* MENCHIE’S UNIVERSITY: 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.

Menchie’s Toasted Coconut Crunch Test Flavor, Fruit Purees

Fro-yo girl here. While I was at Menchie’s University in Encino, CA, I noticed a new test flavor called Toasted Coconut Crunch. It’s made with Mrs. Thinster’s Cookie Thins (the Toasted Coconut Cookie Thins) and has no artificial flavors or colors, no high fructose corn syrup and no partially hydrogenated oils.

* Toasted Coconut Crunch froyo: The texture was creamy and smooth but it tasted like coconut without cookies. I do love cookie froyo flavors, though I’m not a big fan of coconut froyo. So, this flavor was okay for me but a pass because the cookie flavor isn’t noticeable.

I also noticed chilled fruit purees in squeeze bottles in blueberry, strawberry, and passionfruit. I don’t think that I’ve seen these at other Menchie’s locations, so maybe fruit purees will be carried soon at more locations. Yogurtland added fruit purees in June 2016.

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

* MENCHIE’S UNIVERSITY: 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.

New Froyo Shakes at Menchie's

Fro-yo girl here. Select locations of Menchie’s recently added a new product, frozen yogurt shakes called Froyo Shakes. I think they started testing Froyo Shakes late last year and they recently expanded the number of stores that carry them.

I went to Menchie’s University in Encino, CA, the training center for Menchie’s. They had a sign for the Froyo Shakes. The associate gave me a clear cup which I filled with my choice of toppings, frozen yogurt and/or sorbet. It’s sold by weight like their frozen yogurt. After I filled my cup with the new Tropical Passion Fruit Sorbet, strawberries and pineapple chunks. He added milk to it and mixed it in the blending machine. It would be nice if they had an alternative milk option as well.

The milkshake tasted fine because I did really like the Tropical Passion Fruit sorbet. However, the blending didn’t seem to transform it. There were huge chunks of fruit in the bottom of my cup (too big for the fat straw that I was using). For some reason, the toppings hadn’t been blended into the sorbet. The fruit pieces were as large as they were before they were blended. Maybe I didn’t choose the right toppings or the machine wasn’t working properly?

I will say that I am a fan of Pinkberry's smoothies. They've always been made properly the few times that I've ordered them.

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 is Testing Freshly Made Waffles

Fro-yo girl here. Menchie’s University in Encino is where Menchie’s tests new products and flavors and provides training. Recently they were testing a new dairy-free flavor, dark chocolate made with coconut milk. I headed over less than a week later and the flavor was nowhere to be found. I guess the test flavors aren’t there long. I heard they were testing a Marshmallow Peeps flavor next. If I lived closer to Menchie’s University, I’d certainly go there regularly.

During my visit they were testing a new product: freshly made waffles. They’re sold by the weight for the same price as froyo and toppings. Head to the Menchie’s team member and ask for a waffle. The waffle iron is kept next to the round waffle iron they use to make waffle bowls.

A team member pours the batter onto the waffle iron. After a few minutes the hot waffle is ready. The waffle is rectangular (6 squares long, 3 squares wide). It’s a light waffle with deep pockets. The texture is soft and slightly crispy. It is not a liege waffle; the denser liege waffle would hold up to froyo better. Froyo gets absorbed into the Menchie’s waffle and quickly makes it soggy. Pro tip: Put your froyo on the side, not on top of your waffle.

The waffle flavor was okay but not better than those waffles you can make for yourself with a waffle iron at a hotel. The fact that the froyo makes the waffle soggy is a big negative. 

My two cents: If Menchie’s wants to offer waffles, they should make the batter more interesting and make a denser waffle that doesn’t get soggy so easily. Flavored waffles (made with flavored batter) like peanut butter or chocolate sound much more appealing than plain waffles. Or offer waffle bites dipped in different kinds of chocolate, peanut butter, etc. 

I actually like Liege waffles but they’re pretty filling so I probably wouldn’t get one plus add froyo to it.

Menchie’s University is also selling snacks by Brookside, IceBreakers Mints, IceBreakers Ice Cubes and Hershey’s Kisses Deluxe.

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

* MENCHIE’S UNIVERSITY: 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.

Menchie’s Froyo Cake

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve been longing for a froyo cake for years but so few places have them. That might be about to change. Menchie’s University in Encino, CA is currently offering ready-made and custom froyo cakes. They come in one size that feeds 10-12 people. A cake is $24.99.

To build your own froyo cake, you choose a base (chocolate cake, vanilla cake or waffle crisp), two froyo flavors (the selection depends on what’s in store), toppings (these go inside your cake) and decorations. They have a library of cake images to choose from (including designs that feature Menchie and his Sweet Friends) or if you email a picture, they can put it on your cake. You can also add sprinkles to your cake. They’re testing adding colors to the frosting. The standard color is white and it tastes like a whipped and sweet. It’s not a buttercream frosting or whipped cream. The flavor is mild.

The froyo cake came in a cute Menchie’s box with a sticker. The sticker had a survey URL; take the survey and get $5 worth of free froyo.

The cake had Mud Pie and Peanut Butter froyo, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and chocolate cake. The chocolate cake was dense and not dry. The frozen yogurt was pretty solid but the frosting was very soft. It took a little effort to slice and serve the cake. In terms of taste, it wasn’t a surprise since I’ve had those flavors before and the firmness of the frozen yogurt worked well in cake form. The Reese’s Peanut Butter cups overpowered the Mud Pie froyo flavor though. I might prefer froyo cake without toppings in the middle.Mudslide, peanut butter, chocolate cake, Reese’s PB cups,

Menchie’s University is the training center for new Menchie’s franchisees and it’s your regular looking froyo shop that’s open to the public. It’s the place where new products are tested and where they have events like the Nutella preview event, froyo cake tasting event and coffee testing.

https://www.facebook.com/menchiesencino

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.