Menchie's Grand Opening Celebration Week Begins in Ventura, CA

Fro-yo girl here. Menchie's opened its first location in Ventura, CA recently and today they kicked off their grand opening week festivities with a ribbon cutting, appearance by Menchie, balloon artist and free froyo.

The first 25 people in line also received a free kid's color in t-shirt. 

The celebration continues all week with special promotions. The first 25 guests on Sunday will receive a free Menchie plushie doll.

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

* MENCHIE'S: 5944 Telegraph Rd., Ventura, CA 93003

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 at Yogurtland: The Outdoor Adventure Begins

Fro-yo girl here. Yogurtland's Ultimate Summer promotion continues with Outdoor Adventure-inspired flavors and new collectible shimmery hunter green spoons. Think good times in the forest: picking wild berries, sitting around a campfire making s’mores and the scent of the forest.

* S’mores frozen yogurt “combines toasted marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers.” It’s a mellow, creamy flavor that tastes like milk chocolate marshmallows. I didn’t taste the graham crackers but you can always add graham cracker crumbs or the new S’mores Mix, featuring Teddy Grahams and mini chocolate covered marshmallows. Other suggested toppings: creamy cheesecake, cookie dough, chocolate sauce

* Wild berry tart “blends raspberries, blackberries and blueberries.” I love a good fruity tart froyo and this one delivers plenty of berry flavor. I could taste the blackberries and raspberries more than the blueberries. It’s tangy with a sweet finish. The yogurt was firm and not icy, but more refreshing than the non-tart flavors. It reminded me of berry sherbet. Suggested toppings: berries, graham cracker crust, mochi

These flavors are available for a limited time only so try them before it’s too late.

Remember to collect your Hot Spot icons with your Real Rewards app. Earn free froyo with every 3rd visit during the Ultimate Summer promotion.

Look for 2 new flavors and a new spoon on September 1.

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 at Menchie’s: Chocolate Glazed Toffee Bar & Kiwi Spoon

Fro-yo girl here. When a new froyo spoon is announced at Menchie’s, I need to get my hands on several spoons ASAP. Menchie’s friend, Kiwi, now has his own limited edition spoon and it’s kiwi green of course. The spoon is so detailed; Kiwi is holding a Menchie’s spoon and a cup of froyo! I’m going to stocking up on Kiwi spoons of course.

Menchie’s also partnered with Hershey to create a new flavor, Chocolate Glazed Toffee Bar Made With Heath®. CGTB will be offered from July 1 - 31, along with mini Heath bars. The Hershey’s Experience Sweepstakes at Menchie’s gives My Smileage members the chance to win a family trip to Hershey Chocolate World and Menchie’s gift cards. 

I tried Chocolate Glazed Toffee Bar frozen yogurt. I don’t like chocolate frozen yogurt so I was glad that the toffee mellowed the chocolate flavor. There wasn’t enough toffee flavor for me and the texture was icy. The mini Heath bars are too big.

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.

Father’s Day Froyo Specials

Fro-yo girl here. While there are more froyo specials for Mother’s Day than for Father’s Day, there are still plenty of places you can take your froyo loving dad for a Father’s Day froyo deal. Here’s a list of froyo shops offering deals on Father’s Day:

• Froyo World: 50% off for dads
• Go Greek: 20% off for dads
• Monster Yogurt (Dallas & Richardson, TX): All costumed characters get 4 ounces free 
• Orange Leaf Kentucky (Lexington, Louisville, Richmond, Ashland, Somerset, Owensboro, Bowling Green, Danville & Pikeville): 8 ounces free for dad
• Orange Leaf (New Albany & Clarksville): 8 ounces free for dad
• Summersweet: 8 ounces free for dad
• Suzy’s Swirl: Dads swirl free from 11 AM - 4 PM
• TCBY: Free cup for dad 
• Toppings NY: Free froyo for dad
• Trugurt: Buy one, get dad’s free - mention Instagram offer
• Tutti Frutti Fargo, ND: Free cup for dad (up to 12 ounces)
• UU Yogurt: Free cup for dad (up to 10 ounces) 
• Yogen Fruz Canada: Buy one cup, get a cup free for dad
• Yogurty’s: Buy one cup, get one free for dad
• Wakaberry: 20% off of dad’s cup

P.S. Happy Father’s Day to my froyo loving dad!

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.

Mother’s Day Froyo Specials

Fro-yo girl here. If you love your mom and your mom loves froyo, how can you not take her out for froyo? Here are a few shops with Mother’s Day (May 11) froyo specials:

• Bella & Boo - 50% off
• Forever Yogurt - Buy one, get one free
• Goji’s - Free froyo on May 11th for moms
• Menchie’s Settler’s Market in Williamsburg - Buy one, get one free
• Peaks: 10 ozs free for moms
• Pinkberry New Orleans - Moms get a free small Pinkberry with a purchase of anything of equal or greater value 
• Summersweet - 8 ozs free for mom
• SweetFrog - Some locations are offering moms a free 12 oz cup of froyo w/ purchase, check with your local SweetFrog to see if it is participating
• TCBY in the Village (Grosse Pointe), on Mack Ave (Grosse Pointe Woods), TCBY at Belvedere Square (Baltimore, MD): Free small 6 oz cup or cone. Call your local TCBY to see if it is participating.
• UU Yogurt: 10 ozs free for mom
• Wakaberry: 20% off for moms
• Yoforia: Free cup of froyo for moms up to $5 in value
• Yogurtland Baton Rouge & Lafayette, LA - Buy one, get one free 
• Yogurtland Australia: 50% off for moms
• Yo Mama! Frozen Yogurt (Village of Wauwatosa) - Free froyo for moms
• Yummie Yogurt (Village of Rochester Hills) - Moms get 8 oz yogurt and one topping free

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.

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.

Menchie’s National Frozen Yogurt Day Celebration

Fro-yo girl here. Thanks Menchie’s for spreading the smiles today with free froyo for National Frozen Yogurt Day!

I visited Menchie’s today with the NYFD Menchie’s coupon for 6 free ounces in hand. The shop had pink and green Menchie’s balloons and National Frozen Yogurt Day written on the chalkboard. I didn’t see any NFYD signs. The Menchie’s team member had on a limited edition NFYD Menchie’s t-shirt. Some Menchie’s locations had contests and gave away these t-shirts.

I did get a coupon for 10% off from 2/7 - 2/14/2014 with the NYFD design.

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 Fan Choice Awards Winner: Best Bring It Back Flavor

Fro-yo girl here. Yogurtland’s Fan Choice Awards continue on and there’s a new winner this week. The winner of the Best Bring It Back Flavor is...Salted Caramel Pecan, by popular vote. I remember talking to a Yogurtland employee about the Fan Choice Awards months ago and she predicted that Salted Caramel Pecan would win.

I had a cup full of Salted Caramel Pecan today and it has a lovely flavor, warm and caramelly with a salty kick.

Salted Caramel Pecan had the following message for Yogurtland fans: “Some are calling me the comeback story of the culinary year. Thank you fans, for wanting another chance to taste my smooth caramel and exclusive pecan butter with a hint of salt. It’s good to be back.”

SCP is available at participating Yogurtland locations while supplies last, starting today.

Congrats to Salted Caramel Pecan!

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's National Frozen Yogurt Day Celebration on Feb. 3

Fro-yo girl here. Yogurtland's National Frozen Yogurt Day Celebration #YogurtlandNFYD is just one week away! More details have emerged about what Yogurtland has planned.

Yogurtland guests will receive a special collectible color changing spoon and a commemorative cup to fill up with froyo and toppings.

• Date: February 3, 2014
• Time: 4 - 7 PM
• Location: Participating Yogurtland locations

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.

Here's the official press release:

Yogurtland To Celebrate National Frozen Yogurt Day On February 3, 2014;

Guests to Receive Free Frozen Yogurt and Toppings and a Color-Changing Collectible Spoon

(IRVINE, CA) Jan. 27, 2014 – Yogurtland will celebrate its third annual National Frozen Yogurt Day on Monday, February 3, 2014 by offering guests free yogurt and toppings from 4pm – 7pm at all participating locations.

For National Frozen Yogurt Day, Yogurtland guests will receive a special collectible spoon that changes colors when it becomes cold, and a commemorative cup to fill with their choice of yogurt flavors and toppings including several Hershey® chocolate offerings.

Yogurtland is sweetening the offer for those who sign up for its Real Rewards program. Guests who register for the Real Rewards program between February 1 -7 will receive 6-ounces of free frozen yogurt.

Yogurtland popularized the self-serve frozen yogurt concept and today leads the industry with the best-tasting handcrafted flavors made from real ingredients.

Yogurtland’s National Frozen Yogurt Day celebration is sponsored by Hershey® and The California Milk Advisory Board.

The Yogurtland Difference
Separating Yogurtland from competitors is the company’s team of flavorologists who develop the proprietary recipes for the brand’s more than 100 different and customized flavors. Whether traditional or exotic, each flavor uses real ingredients sourced from their original locations. By controlling the entire frozen yogurt making process, Yogurtland has raised the standards for flavors and quality to new heights and much to the delight of millions of fans.

Naturally occurring calcium makes Yogurtland yogurt a healthful, refreshing treat. Fruit flavors are also fortified with Vitamin C. All of Yogurtland’s flavors meet the National Yogurt Association Criteria for “live and active culture frozen yogurt” and are produced in a kosher-certified facility. Yogurtland features non- and low-fat yogurt flavors as well as non-dairy and no sugar added choices.

Presently there are 263 locations across the U.S., Australia, Guam, Mexico and Venezuela with more than 50 additional locations planned to open over the next six months. For more information, visit http://www.yogurt-land.com.

# # #

#YogurtlandNFYD

Menchie’s to Celebrate National Frozen Yogurt Day with Free Froyo on Feb. 6

Fro-yo girl here. National Frozen Yogurt Day is just two weeks away! Mark your calendars because Menchie’s is giving out coupons for six free ounces of froyo with toppings. Get your free froyo coupon from the Menchie’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mymenchies) first. It will be redeemable all day on Feb. 6th. Tell everyone who loves froyo!

Find your Menchie’s closest location here:http://www.menchies.com/yogurt-shop-our-locations

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.

Here’s the official press release:

ENCINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Menchie’s, North America’s largest self-serve frozen yogurt franchise, is gifting fans a coupon for a free six ounce cup of frozen yogurt in celebration of National Frozen Yogurt Day. On February 6th, guests can bring the coupon, available on the brand’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/MyMenchies, to participating Menchie’s stores nationwide.

Guests are limited to one coupon and the offer is only valid on Thursday, February 6th. Serving up smiles and swirls of flavor, Menchie’s considers itself the ambassador of frozen yogurt worldwide, offering best-in-class products. For fro-yo fanatics, the combinations will be endless with premium rotating flavors and more than 70 mouthwatering toppings to create the perfect dessert. For added yum, guests can opt to have their yogurt in a signature Menchie’s waffle bowl.

“We are excited to celebrate yet another National Frozen Yogurt Day with our fans,” said Amit Kleinberger, CEO of Menchie’s. “We are always looking for ways to show our appreciation for all of our loyal yogurt lovers and through this deal we hope to put smiles on their faces and also brighten up the days of new guests who have yet to have the Menchie’s experience.”

For more information regarding Menchie’s, including store locations, franchising opportunities or their National Frozen Yogurt Day deal, please visit www.menchies.com. Like Menchie’s on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MyMenchie’s or follow on Twitter atwww.Twitter.com/MyMenchies.

About Menchie’s:

Menchie’s creates lasting memories by creating an unparalleled guest experience with a mission to make every guest smile. Menchie’s is a world-leader of ensuring best-in-class products and is the ambassador of frozen yogurt quality worldwide. With more than 380 stores, the franchise has locations open in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Puerto Rico, Israel, Guam and China. Menchie’s expects to celebrate 500 open stores in 2014. Guaranteeing happiness in every cup, the brand offers guests premium rotating yogurt flavors and delicious toppings for unlimited combinations in every bite. The proprietary collection is made from the milk of “smiley” California cows, which have not been treated with artificial growth hormones (rBST). Menchie’s frozen yogurt contains live and active cultures and has received the Live and Active Culture (LAC) seal indicating its endorsement by the National Yogurt Association.

Yogurtland Fan Choice Awards Winner: Creme Brulee Wins Most Exotic

Fro-yo girl here. Yogurtland fans have selected Crème brûlée as the winner for Most Exotic froyo flavor in the Yogurtland Fan Choice Awards. Crème brûlée thanks the voters and said, “Coming from France, I am really honored to be adored by all you fans here in Yogurtland. As we say where I’m from, merci for embracing my silky, rich vanilla custard with a light, caramelized sugar topping.”

I just had a big cup full of Crème brûlée froyo and it truly does have a caramelized/burnt sugar flavor...very impressive. I might like it better than the actual dessert because I love the smooth, cold, creamy texture of Crème brûlée froyo. It’s so good with crispy chocolate toppings, nuts and mochi.

Crème brûlée froyo will be available at participating Yogurtland locations while supplies last, starting today.

Congrats to Crème brûlée!

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 Fan Choice Awards Promotion Begins, Birthday Cupcake Batter Wins Best All Around

Fro-yo girl here. The Fan Choice Awards promotion began today with the announcement of two fan favorite winners: Best All Around winner, Birthday Cupcake Batter and Best Newcomer, Carrot Cake. Congratulations to Birthday Cupcake Batter, which will be available at participating Yogurtland shops throughout the promotion (Jan. 6 - March 2), and Carrot Cake (which is in stores now and will remain while supplies last). Each week one new winning flavor will be revealed and featured at Yogurtland locations.

The new signs are up and they look quite glamorous. Each flavor comes with an acceptance speech (cute).

A message from Birthday Cupcake Batter: “You like me, you really like me! I’d like to thank all the fan for helping me keep the celebration alive with my sweet, buttery-smooth, yellow-cupcake-batter flavor! For all the real flavors out there, culinary dreams do come true.”

A message from Carrot Cake: “It’s not easy being new. Thank you all so much for recognizing my fresh-from-the-bakery deliciousness. I couldn’t have done it without real carrots, hand-selected spices, and real cream cheese frosting.” I don’t like carrot cake but I do like carrot cake froyo, it’s indulgent and spicy, but not as heavy as the real thing.

I’ve included official press release with additional details below.

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.

And the Winner Is…Yogurtland’s Fan Choice Awards Celebrate Yogurt Yumminess

(IRVINE, CA) Jan. 6, 2014 – Tens of thousands of frozen yogurt fans across the country have voted with their taste buds and the results are in. Today, Yogurtland is pleased to announce the winning flavors of its inaugural Fan Choice Awards that celebrate the best in frozen yogurt yumminess.

“Our fans are passionate about their favorite flavors, and they couldn’t wait to tell us what they liked best. Now we are excited to bring these flavors back for a ‘raspberry’ carpet celebration of flavor,” said Charlotte Lucich, Yogurtland director of marketing.

Yogurtland fans selected their favorite flavors in nine categories, and the winning flavors will be revealed, one per week, in stores each week beginning January 6 with the final winning flavor announced on February 24. The Best All-Around winning frozen yogurt flavor, Birthday Cupcake Batter, will be served at all participating stores throughout the promotion. The award for Best Newcomer flavor goes to Carrot Cake, which will be available beginning January 6, while supplies last.

The other categories include:

Best Tart– to be announced January 13

Most Exotic – to be announced January 20

Best Bakery – to be announced January 27

Best “Bring It Back Flavor”– to be announced February 3

Best Chocolate – to be announced February 10, just in time for Valentine’s Day

Best Sorbet – to be announced February 17

Most Refreshing – to be announced February 24

“Yogurtland’s hand-crafted flavors, passionately made with real ingredients, are the center of our fan experience,” added Lucich. “We travel the world to find just the perfect real ingredients, and our fans can taste the difference. The Fan Choice Awards gave them a chance to share their opinion, and share they did!”

The Yogurtland Difference

Separating Yogurtland from competitors is the company’s team of flavorologists, who develop the proprietary recipes for the brand’s more than 80 different and customized flavors. Whether traditional or exotic, each flavor uses real ingredients sourced from their original locations. By controlling the entire frozen yogurt making process, Yogurtland has raised the standards for flavors and quality to new heights and much to the delight of millions of fans.

Naturally occurring calcium makes Yogurtland yogurt a healthful, refreshing treat. All of Yogurtland’s frozen yogurt flavors meet the National Yogurt Association Criteria for “live and active culture frozen yogurt” and are produced in a kosher-certified facility.Yogurtland features non- and low-fat yogurt flavors as well as non-dairy and no sugar added choices.

Presently there 265 locations across the U.S., Australia, Guam, Mexico and Venezuela with more than 50 additional locations scheduled to open over the next six months. For more information, visit http://www.yogurt-land.com or http://www.facebook.com/yogurtland.

Yogurtland Looney Tunes “Flavors with Character” Launch Party

Fro-yo girl here. Today’s the big day, the launch of the Yogurtland Looney Tunes Flavors with Character promotion! There were three national launch parties (Burbank, CA; Dallas, TX; Brooklyn, NY) and local launch parties in 10 states. Luckily, I’m in California, where most of the launch parties occurred.

The launch parties featured free fro-yo and giveaways, such as Looney Tunes fans and tote bags. I had so much to do during my trip to Yogurtland, including checking out the new flavors, new cups, new spoons, merchandise for sale, and launch party giveaways. I also scanned the QSR code for one of the new flavors. Collect 4 codes and get 4 ounces of free fro-yo, 6 codes and 6 ounces of free fro-yo. 

At the launch party, the first 75 people got their pick of a door prize: green Looney Tunes/Yogurtland tote bag, Looney Tunes/Yogurtland stickers or a Looney Tunes/Yogurtland fan. Each guest also received an 8 ounce cup to fill with fro-yo and toppings.

• New Yogurtland/Looney Tunes merchandise: 2 notepads, pack of pencils, 6 keychains featuring Looney Tunes characters in Yogurtland cups, reusable frozen yogurt bowls
• New flavors: Bugs Bunny Carrot Cake and Daffy Duck Decadent Dark Chocolate Orange. It’s hard for me to judge them because I don’t eat/like carrot cake and I don’t like chocolate frozen yogurt. Both were creamy. The carrot cake frozen yogurt had a distinctive rich cream cheese flavor which was stronger than the cake flavor. I could also taste cinnamon. The dark chocolate orange frozen yogurt tasted more like fudge/cocoa with a hint of orange. It reminded me of Terry’s Chocolate Orange.
• New cups: There were two new designs, one featuring Bugs Bunny, the other Daffy Duck.
• New spoons: This was the most exciting part for me. The Bugs Bunny spoon is grey and Daffy Duck is orange. The spoons feature the character heads, not their bodies.

I forgot to check out the new toppings: carrots and dark chocolate orange covered cranberries.

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 Looney Tunes Merchandise Sneak Peek

Fro-yo girl here. The Yogurtland Looney Tunes merchandise is coming to your local Yogurtland. Look for Looney Tunes character notepads, pencils, keychains (your favorite LT character in a Yogurtland cup), and best of all, the collectible Looney Tunes reusable frozen yogurt bowls. Now I just need the collectible character 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 Flavor Alert: Cherry Pinkberry Flavor

Fro-yo girl here. Pinkberry has just introduced a new frozen yogurt flavor: Cherry Pinkberry. It’s available as a shake too.

The new seasonal flavor is described as follows: “We've swirled summer into a bowl, just for you. Cherry Pinkberry is crafted from real bits of juicy cherries, so it perfectly captures the delicate, delicious flavor of fruit fresh from the market. Light and refreshing, every spoonful is like a cherry on top of your perfect day.”

I gave it a try this weekend since they were offering double points. I really liked the flavor. Usually when I find cherry flavored frozen yogurt, it tastes fake. This one had real cherry flavor. It was sweet and tangy, smooth and refreshing. Personally it was a little too sweet for me and I could have used more "yogurt" flavor but I'm still a fan.

I didn't see fresh cherries or new toppings.

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 Summer Splash Bash

Fro-yo girl here. Yogurtland Burlingame and San Francisco kicked off the summer with the Summer Splash Blast this weekend. Guests were treated to face painting, hourly drawings for $25 gift cards, drawings of frozen yogurt to color, and $1 cups of fro-yo and toppings. The shop was decorated with balloons and vinyl records, a nod to the old fashioned Summer Refreshers frozen yogurt flavors: Root Beer Float, Orangesicle and Hibiscus Passion Fruit sorbet.

I thought about trying to make the world’s tallest cup of frozen yogurt, starting with putting an even layer of toppings on the bottom. I swirled a cup of Madagascar Vanilla Bean frozen yogurt and it turned out looking just like the illustrated cup.

The Summer Splash Blast continues till 3 PM today at the San Francisco location.

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

* YOGURTLAND INGLESIDE: 1250 Ocean Ave., San Francisco, CA

Giving Customers a Reason to Return

Fro-yo girl here. I eat a lot of fro-yo as you know and I visit many fro-yo shops. Sadly, most of the fro-yo shops I visit are places I’ll only visit once. There are certain things frozen yogurt stores can do to increase the likelihood of a return visit. These are things that draw me back to a frozen yogurt shop:

* New fro-yo flavors: This is the main reason that I revisit a shop that I haven’t been to in awhile. If I hear of a new flavor that I haven’t had there before, I’m immediately interested. On a related note, frozen yogurt shops should announce new flavors. Usually I don’t want to pick up the phone to call and ask about new flavors. Make it easy for customers to learn about your new flavors. While new toppings are nice, they don’t interest me as much as frozen yogurt flavors.

* Seasonal flavors: While the fro-yo flavor might not be new (that is it’s never been offered at the shop), I do look forward to the return of certain seasonal fro-yo flavors, especially pumpkin.

* Favorite flavors: If my favorite fro-yo flavor is part of the line-up, I’m definitely inclined to revisit a shop.

* Promotions, contests and special events: Discounts should only be used sparingly but they can be effective. Events are fun and include celebrating shop birthdays, fundraisers, special limited edition frozen yogurt spoons, happy hour, etc.

* Reward programs: They do work. When I get closer to filling up the card, I go more often. I hate rewards that expire. If I don’t think I can fill up the card in time, I won’t even try.

* Having a strong social media presence: If I like a frozen yogurt store, I’m interested in knowing what’s going on and the easiest way to track a fro-yo shop is through Twitter and Facebook.

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

Yogurtland Flavor Quest Continues with Creme Brulee and Spiced Chai

Fro-yo girl here. The new batch of Yogurtland Flavor Quest flavors arrived in stores on April 1: Spiced Chai from India and Creme Brulee from France. I was excited to try both.

* Creme brulee (France): “Silky rich vanilla custard finished with a light, caramelized sugar topping.” They did a nice job with this, it tasted as described with that distinctive caramelized sugar flavor and custardy quality. The texture was smooth and creamy. It seemed sweeter than usual. I would have liked a stronger vanilla flavor.

* Spiced chai (India): “Bold and delicious, we’ve infused the traditional spices of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and clove with vanilla, creating a warm and spicy chai flavor.” I could definitely taste several spices and it tasted like a sweet chai but I didn’t notice much tea flavor. I also don’t think there was enough cardamom flavor. It was more of an Americanized chai than an Indian chai flavor. I also thought it was very sweet.

Creme Brulee and Spiced Chai fro-yo are available from April 1 - April 28. Sticky toffee pudding and POG sorbet arrive on April 15.

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

Yogurtland's Flavor Quest Starts Today!

Fro-yo girl here. I just watched the Yogurtland Flavor Quest YouTube video this morning and I'm beyond excited about their new Flavor Quest Promotion. 1 Globe, 3 Months, 10 flavors. The Flavor Quest started today and lasts till May 26th. The first four globally inspired fro-yo flavors are in already in Yogurtland stores.

To get started, download the free Yogurtland mobile app and use it to scan QR codes for the 10 new fro-yo flavors. Earn 5 ounces of free fro-yo by scanning the QR codes of five new flavors and 10 ounces for scanning all 10 flavors. 

I can't wait to try Spiced Chai, Creme Brulee, and Black Sesame Vanilla. 

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.

Here's the Yogurtland press release with more details about the Flavor Quest, including the new globally inspired flavors:

(IRVINE, CA) March 4, 2013 – Ever wondered what Maqui Berry tasted like but can’t afford a trip to Patagonia? Or wanted to try authentic Polynesian vanilla? Yogurtland has an app for that. Today Yogurtland introduces Flavor Quest, a global celebration of flavors coming to a spoon near you. Complementing the bounty of new yogurt flavors, Yogurtland is also introducing a Smartphone app with a Flavor Finder function that allows guests to find the flavors they crave at a Yogurtland nearby.

“You won’t need a passport to take your taste buds around the world. With Flavor Quest, Yogurtland is bringing the world’s best flavors to your spoon,” said Charlotte Lucich, director of marketing at Yogurtland. “Our chief flavorologist led his team on a quest around the globe to find the finest ingredients for our passionate flavor-seeking fans. And now with our new mobile app and Flavor Finder, our fans can quickly find which Yogurtland is serving the new flavors and their familiar favorites.”

Yogurtland’s continual search to find the world’s best flavors and honest ingredients has taken the company’s flavorologist to the forest of Patagonia, the spice markets of India, to Japan to experience the ancient traditions of black sesame and to New Orleans, the birthplace of Bananas Foster.  This search has been chronicled in a series of videos, including the travel and taste adventures behind Flavor Quest. Yogurtland will offer these global flavors over a three-month period while giving guests a chance to earn free yogurt by scanning the QR codes of the Flavor Quest destinations posted inside the stores.

Yogurtland’s new globally-inspired flavors include: Maqui Berry Tart from Patagonia; Tiramisu from Italy; Polynesian Vanilla from the French Polynesian islands; Spiced Chai from India; Crème Brulée from France; Sticky Toffee Pudding from England; POG Sorbet from Hawaii; Bananas Foster from New Orleans; Mexican Hot Chocolate from Mexico and Black Sesame Vanilla from Japan.

Yogurtland’s new mobile app complements the Flavor Quest promotion and has a Flavor Finder feature that allows guests to find their favorite flavor at the Yogurtland nearest them. The app has three ways to search flavors. First by searching the flavor name, second by using a location to search flavors nearby, and the third way is to the find the location of the nearest Yogurtland and see what flavors are currently being served.

The Flavor Finder will be updated daily to provide real-time information about which flavors are being served at Yogurtland shops across the country.

During the Flavor Quest promotion, guests can use the app to scan the QR code on the flavor cards posted in stores. After scanning five new flavors (only one scan per flavor and one scan per day), fans will earn 5 free ounces of yogurt. After scanning all 10 flavors, guests receive 10 ounces free and will be entered for a chance to win free yogurt for a year. Guests can also use the app to name, describe and share their frozen yogurt creation through social media outlets.

To find the app, search Yogurtland in your mobile app store.

About Yogurtland

In 2006, Yogurtland opened its first location, and quickly popularized the self-serve frozen yogurt concept by offering the industry’s best quality frozen yogurt made from real California milk and served with a wide array of premium, popular toppings. Today, Yogurtland leads the industry with the finest smooth, creamy real yogurt and superior toppings where customers create and control their own flavor experience, all served in a clean, bright environment. Presently there are more than 200 locations across the U.S., Guam, Mexico, Venezuela and Australia with more than 50 additional locations scheduled to open over the next six months. For more information, visit http://www.yogurtland.com 

or http://www.facebook.com/yogurtland.

True Bliss Yogurt Grand Opening Celebration

Fro-yo girl here. True Bliss Yogurt, a friendly, family owned self-serve fro-yo shop, opened about 2.5 weeks ago. They have 14 flavors of fro-yo a day with toppings for 43 cents an ounce, Peet’s Coffee, churros and freshly baked Otis Spunkmeyer cookies.

The grand opening celebration takes place this weekend (1/12 - 1/13) and includes:
* Free balloons for kids (Sat. & Sun.)
* Raffle tickets w/ purchase (Sat.)
* Buy one get one free fro-yo (Sat., 5 - 8 PM)
* Fro-yo eating contest (Sat., 3 PM)
* Coloring contest (Sat. & Sun. 1 - 4 PM)
* Free churros for the first 100 customers who purchase fro-yo (Sat. & Sun.)
Prizes include free fro-yo and gift cards to Target, Sports Authority, etc.Follow True Bliss Yogurt’s FB page for updates.

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

* TRUE BLISS YOGURT N’ TREATS: 385 S. Kiely Blvd., San Jose, CA