Rave Organics Café Opens in Newbury Park, CA

Fro-yo girl here. Rave Organics Café opened its doors for a soft launch on April 18. The new café in Newbury Park specializes in organic pizza, frozen yogurt, smoothies, sandwiches, breakfast, & other healthy meals. There are vegan options as well.

I stopped by to try the organic frozen yogurt, which is sourced from a local company, Cloud Top. When I walked in, the place felt empty. The display case which is maybe meant for pastries, was empty. The décor felt unfinished too. They’re still in soft opening mode even though they opened two weeks ago. There were no printed menus. The upstairs area is supposed to be calming but it just felt unfinished to me.

The frozen yogurt machines are on the right. They have four Taylor soft serve machines. The frozen yogurt is organic and they had eight flavors, four of these were vegan and none were tart. It is self-serve but the price is a flat rate $5.99 for a small and $7.99 for a medium. The price includes toppings. The small cup was huge (16 oz?) and definitely shareable. Ask for sample cups.

The toppings section was very small because they only offer organic, healthy toppings and they’re still in soft opening mode. They had nuts, granola, coconut, peanut butter mixed with honey, and chocolate chips.

The two vegan flavors that I tried were smooth, dense and creamy. The horchata flavor was very mild, so it tasted more like coconut froyo, but I enjoyed it because it wasn’t as sweet and it had a clean aftertaste. The chai spices were more noticeable though not overpowering. I noticed the toppings were less sweet too. If you are vegan or care about eating organic or concerned about sugar, give this frozen yogurt a try.

Froyo flavors:

• Old fashioned vanilla 
• Dutch chocolate 
• Cheesecake 
• Salted caramel 
• Pomegranate-berry (vegan) 
• Strawberry (vegan) 
• Chai (vegan) 
• Horchata (vegan) 

The cups and utensils are compostable. There is plenty of seating. I think the only other froyo place in Newbury Park is Tutti Frutti. 

I wish the frozen yogurt were sold by the ounce or not self-serve because I didn't want a huge amount. It's supposed to be a healthy eatery, so smaller portions would be appreciated. Froyo would be a nice dessert or snack if the portion were a lot smaller. For example, they could offer meal deals that include a drink and froyo. Yes, I could put less in the cup but then it doesn't feel like getting your money's worth.

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

* RAVE ORGANICS CAFÉ: 520 N. Ventu Park Road, Suite 140, Newbury Park, CA 91320

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.

Easy Breezy Opens in West Portal (San Francisco)

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve been going to Easy Breezy since day 1 of their first location, which opened in Noe Valley (San Francisco, CA) in 2012. I fell in love with their creative, fresh, hand-crafted flavors and their commitment to quality frozen yogurt and toppings. They even had premium and sometimes creative toppings. I’m definitely excited to see them expand; the newest location is in West Portal. The space used to be occupied by Tuttimelon and then Quickly, so I’ve been there many times. In fact, it was the first place that I ever met Mr. Tuttimelon on the day that Tuttimelon West Portal opened.

Since I moved away from San Francisco, I wasn’t able to attend Easy Breezy West Portal’s opening day, March 3rd. But, I did swing by recently during a quick trip to the Bay Area in April.

The shop was super cute with wood accents and the signature blue Easy Breezy color. Breezy, the mascot, appears outside the shop and inside too. The signs are super eye-catching and appealing.

It was very busy during our visit. All the tables inside were taken and people were sitting on the bench outside. The customers were mostly young families.

There were four machines serving 8 flavors. It’s self-serve like the other Easy Breezy locations. Toppings included sauces, candy, cheesecake, mochi, cookie dough, popping boba, fresh fruit (the blueberries and strawberries were organic), brownies, chocolate chips, yogurt chips, local granola, cereal, nuts, sprinkles, etc. I love the Belgian butter waffle cookies that I sometimes find there but they didn’t have any during my visit. It’s 81 cents an ounce.

Flavors of the day:

• Acai & me (vegan) 
• Chocolate amaretto (vegan) 
• Chocolate custard 
• Vanilla bean (organic yogurt)) 
• Cookie dough monster (organic yogurt) 
• Vanilla custard 
• Original tart (organic yogurt) 
• Mango tajin (organic yogurt) 

The vegan flavors are made with different bases, including coconut milk and cashew milk. There were lots of organic froyo options, plus indulgent frozen custards as well.

Congrats, Easy Breezy, and welcome to West Portal.

* EASY BREEZY WEST PORTAL: 44 W Portal Ave, San Francisco, CA 94127

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.

Go Greek Yogurteria Grand Opening at Glendale Galleria

Fro-yo girl here. Today was supposed to be the grand opening of Go Greek Yogurteria, the authentic Greek frozen and fresh yogurt mini chain, at Glendale Galleria. Go Greek’s kiosk can be found near the center of the mall (by JC Penney and Green Crush). However, apparently the grand opening was a private, invite-only event, even though Go Greek didn’t mention this on Facebook or Instagram @gogreekyogurt. The public was allowed try some samples. For the frozen yogurt, each person received one tiny sample cup. 

They had six flavors of self-serve frozen yogurt today and they had the imported fresh Greek yogurt as well. I think it’s 85 cents an ounce. I saw the toppings bar, but didn’t get a close look at it because it was crowded.

I was told the shop would be open for business this Monday, March 12. The scariest thing happened at the Glendale Galleria this afternoon during the grand opening. The mall was evacuated and on lock-down. I kept hearing about an active shooter but I didn’t see or hear anything. We were told to duck and run as we were let out of the back door.

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

* GO GREEK YOGURTERIA, 100 W Broadway, Glendale, CA 91210

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.

Bloomfield Creamery Opens in Pasadena

Fro-yo girl here. Bloomfield Creamery opened last weekend. They took over the space that Yoguroo occupied that later became The Blissery Frozen Yogurt. Bloomfield Creamery has lots of dessert options, including small batch housemade ice cream, housemade edible cookie dough, self-serve frozen yogurt and soft serve, milkshakes, cookies, ice cream paninis, homemade waffle cones and beverages.

The inside looks less colorful than it did before. It’s all white now but the general layout looks the same, with tables on the left, froyo towards the back, and the toppings counter (joined by cookie dough and ice cream) near the front. I find the all white look soothing and clean.

There are 10 froyo and soft serve flavors on tap and a small but nice toppings bar (chocolate chips, fruit, nuts, mochi, cookies, candy, granola, sprinkles, coconut, cheesecake, sauces). It’s 40 cents an ounce (very reasonable). I found the textures to be rich, creamy, and smooth. Ask for sample cups.

Froyo & soft serve flavors of the day:

• Cake batter
• Cinnamon toast soft serve (made with almond milk)
• Chocolate custard
• Vanilla custard
• Cookies & cream yogurt
• Strawberry yogurt
• Tart yogurt
• Dole pineapple whip
• Honey-berry yogurt (no flavor card, not sure what it was called)
• (One flavor wasn’t available)

They haven’t made it easy to combine the cookie dough with the froyo but it can be done. Ask for a scoop of cookie dough after they’ve weighed your yogurt.

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

* BLOOMFIELD CREAMERY: 1727 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104

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.

Loop Neighborhood Coming to Union City, CA (Bringing More Froyo?)

Fro-yo girl here. I first wrote about Loop Neighborhood in May 2015. At the time, it had about a dozen locations in Northern California. The first location opened in June 2013. Loop seeks to be a new kind of convenience store, with a nicer café, water for your pets, healthier food, a soup bar, coffee and a frozen yogurt stand, featuring self-serve froyo and toppings.

Loop currently has 23 locations in Northern California and a new one is being built at the corner of Decoto Rd. and Alvarado-Niles Blvd. in Union City, CA. There was a Shell Gas station at that corner before but it’s been demolished.

I assume that the new location will have froyo.

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

* LOOP NEIGHBORHOOD: 32187 Alvarado Niles Rd., Union City, CA 94587

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.

Grand Opening Celebration at Yogurtland Alameda Landing

Fro-yo girl here. Save the date, Saturday, December 5, for the grand opening of Yogurtland Alameda Landing (2640 Fifth St., Suite B, Alameda, CA 94501). Yes, there’s free froyo.

Here are the deets:

Date and Time: Saturday, December 5, 11 AM – 11 PM

• 11 AM – 2 PM: Free froyo!
• 2 PM – 5 PM: Face painting
• 5 PM – 8 PM: Prizes and giveaways
• 8 PM – 11 PM: Free gift with purchase

Yogurtland Alameda had its soft opening in late September. I went recently and received coupons for 3 free ounces, 5 free ounces and buy one, get one free. This location has 16 self-serve froyo flavors a day and toppings for 45 cents an ounce.

Alameda Landing is a new shopping complex anchored by Target. Other eateries include CREAM, Chipotle, Firehouse Subs, The Habit, Ono Hawaiian BBQ, Sharetea and Panda Express.

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

* YOGURTLAND ALAMEDA LANDING: 2640 Fifth St., Suite B, Alameda, CA 94501

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.

Blush Organic Frozen Yogurt, the Self-Serve Experience

Fro-yo girl here. It’s been years since a new Blush location opened and I didn’t think they’d ever go self-serve but the new location in Pleasanton is the first self-serve Blush. The grand opening was on August 2, 2015. The shop replaced another froyo shop called Yogoholic (which I visited years ago).

Pleasanton Blush has 8 rotating self-serve froyo flavors a day with the usual Blush toppings (fruit, warm syrups, nuts, cereal, sprinkles, cookie dough, candy, granola, graham crackers, popping boba, mochi, cheesecake, chocolate chips) for 45 cents an ounce. They also carry Mitchell’s Ice Cream (but who wants ice cream when you can have froyo?)

Their flavors are made in-house and their frozen yogurt is organic. They support local schools in the area and gave out  free froyo to veterans on Veterans Day.

Froyo flavors of the day:
* Peanut butter
* Cookies  n crème
* Chocolate
* Original tart: one of their best flavors, creamy, smooth, clean tasting, moderately tangy with a sweet finish
* Blush (pomegranate dragonfruit): try it, this is one of their best flavors
* Pumpkin pie: I used to be a fan but it seemed sweeter with less pumpkin flavor
* Apple pie: tasted like apple cider, with apple juice and spice flavor
* Vanilla: interesting because it has a tart yogurt flavor and isn’t like the usual vanilla

I’ve eaten a massive amount of Blush froyo in the past. The texture at the new location isn’t as good as the other locations. The frozen yogurt is softer and not as thick. Perhaps it’s because the Pleasanton location uses different soft serve machines (Pleasanton has Stoelting machines, the other locations have Taylor machines)? The frozen yogurt comes out of the spout very fast.

Earn rewards with FiveStars. I recommend the Original Tart and Blush flavors.

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

* BLUSH ORGANIC FROZEN YOGURT: 3500 Bernal Ave. #145, Pleasanton, CA 94566

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.

Tried It: Durian Froyo

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve smelled durian before but didn’t dare try it…but then it became a froyo flavor. I knew that you could get durian froyo in Hong Kong but I was surprised to find it in the US. I spotted it at Kirin Buffet, the Asian all-you-can-eat seafood buffet restaurant at Santa Anita Mall in Arcadia.

Kirin positions itself as a healthier buffet and that includes offering froyo for dessert. The froyo is self-serve and they have four flavors. I’m not sure how often they change flavors but it doesn’t seem like they change frequently. There are a few dry toppings available: cookies, sprinkles, dried fruit, marshmallows, chocolate chips and peanuts.

The flavor signs are in English and Chinese. They say that the yogurt is made with real strawberry, blueberry and durian.

Flavors of the day:

* Blueberry

* Green Tea

* Strawberry

* Durian: I’m not a durian fan and I haven’t even tried it before. This flavor was icier than the other three. It smells really bad (unless you like the durian scent) like gasoline mixed with dirty socks but fruitier. It tasted like it smelled…so I couldn’t eat much of it.

The frozen yogurt is not the tangy kind. It’s the sweet kind that tries to taste like soft serve ice cream. The flavors were muted/bland except for the durian but I suspect that a tiny bit of potent durian goes a long way. The best flavor was the green tea, followed by strawberry and blueberry.

They have other desserts that you could add to your froyo, like mochi, Hong Kong egg puffs, cheesecake, cream puffs and cake.

Lunch is $12.95 Monday-Friday from 11:30 AM – 4 PM and $19.95 on weekends.

P.S.  The Sweet XO at Santa Anita Mall closed. They  used to have milk tea froyo, which tasted a lot better than durian froyo.

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

* KIRIN BUFFET & GRILL: 400 S Baldwin Ave., Ste 440, Arcadia, CA 91007

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.

Frozen Yogurt at Fred Meyer

Fro-yo girl here. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you’re likely familiar with Fred Meyer – the retailer that started in Portland, Oregon and pioneered the idea of one stop shopping. Fred Meyer stores are huge and they strive to save customers time and money with service, selection, quality and prices. A typical Fred Meyer store has groceries, clothes, home products, electronics, health and beauty care and more under one roof.

Last month the Fred Meyer in the Hawthorne neighborhood of Portland, OR unveiled its self-serve frozen yogurt station. The station is called Fred’s Frost-O-Matic and it features three Electro Freeze machines that offer six flavors at a time, plus a toppings bar. The froyo and toppings are sold by weight at the price of 43 cents per ounce.

The frozen yogurt is from Dannon YoCream. Toppings include candy, cookies, fresh fruit, chocolate chips, granola and sprinkles (fewer toppings than your typical self-serve froyo shop).

Fred Meyer and Ralph’s have the same parent company, Kroger. The Fred Meyer and Ralph’s with self-serve frozen yogurt have a similar look – with sushi bars and a Murray’s Cheese area – but the Ralph’s is nicer. Both use the same froyo machines and use the same frozen yogurt mix. Ralph’s dessert bar had more toppings and was clearly staffed. The Fred Meyer froyo station didn’t appear to be staffed and no one offered sample cups.

During my visit the flavors were Original Tart, Salted Caramel Corn, White Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate, Very Strawberry and Mango Tango sorbet.

The original tart was a bit soft but had a pleasant flavor and refreshing finish. I would have tried more flavors if I’d been offered or spotted sample cups.

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

* FRED MEYER: 3805 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214

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.

Froyo Swirling Stars Selected

Fro-yo girl here. The Froyo Swirling Skills contest, sponsored by the International Frozen Yogurt Association (IFYA) is over and two winners have been proclaimed official froyo swirling stars.

The winners and best swirlers are:

First Prize: @db_pottery, https://instagram.com/p/4fQe99CxSz/

Second Prize: @lequarterone, https://instagram.com/p/43G7z0j_Vi/

The two winners were selected based on the Instagram videos that they submitted. The videos demonstrated their froyo swirling skills. @db_pottery is a veteran swirler while @lequarterone used the unicycle method (it’s crazy but it works) to swirl his froyo.

Be sure to check out their winning videos for inspiration.

First prize: 100 ounces of free froyo from Yogurtland

Second prize: 50 ounces of free froyo from Yogurtland

Congratulations to the winners!

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.

Expansion of Ralph’s Westwood Village Includes Self-Serve Froyo

Fro-yo girl here. Where can you find the largest Ralph’s supermarket in California?  The answer is Westwood Village, at the former location of Bullock’s, on the edge of the UCLA campus. This location is a monster – it looks like a merger of more than one market because one side looks different from the other.  That’s because it was expanded by 40,000 square feet in November 2014.

The Ralph’s of the future/Ralph’s 2.0 is open 24 hours and includes a several prepared food bars (including an organic salad bar), Cork & Tap wine and beer bar with flatscreen TVs, walk in wine vault, Murray’s Cheese counter, staffed sushi bar with counter dining and the Dessert Bar.

The Dessert Bar had its grand opening on Friday, June 26. The staffed area features gelato, cupcakes, a self-serve froyo bar and toppings. It’s the first Ralph’s with a self-serve  froyo bar. There are 10 flavors on tap (housed in five Electro Freeze machines) and a middle handle to swirl two side by side flavors together. The froyo is from Dannon. The flavor signs have nutritional information. The yogurt had a nice creamy, smooth texture (the same Dannon yogurt at Rite Aid, which uses Stoelting machines, was icy and gritty). They had sorbets and no sugar added options as well.

The toppings bar is smaller but they offer some healthy items like hemp seeds, pecans, almonds and fresh fruit, along with candy, cookies, marshmallows, chocolate chips and syrups (even Nutella). Froyo and toppings are 45 cents an ounce.

They’ve done a nice job with the Dessert Bar. Having it staffed helps a lot. The staff person was friendly and offered samples. Plus he kept the area clean.

This Ralph’s also has an excellent select of fresh yogurt and packaged frozen yogurt – it’s like they’re trying to carry everything. 

Get two hours free parking in the parking lot with validation.

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

* RALPH’S FRESH FARE: 10861 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles (Westwood Village), CA 90024

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.

Burbank Froyo Guide

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve traveled all over Burbank, CA to visit every froyo shop in town, including frozen yogurt shops that have closed their doors for good (RIP, Yogurtiers, Froyo Bliss). Yogurtiers, which opened in 2008, was Burbank’s first frozen yogurt shop. There are currently 6 frozen yogurt shops in Burbank and only one of these, Pit Stop Froyo & More, is an independent froyo shop. All of them are self-serve.

Downtown Burbank

Yogurtland has two locations in Burbank. The downtown Burbank Yogurtland location (304 N San Fernando Blvd.) turned 5 last year (the celebration included free froyo and prizes). They carried the Yogurtland cookie dividers early on.

Pinkberry (120 E Palm Ave.) is across from the AMC Burbank 16 movie theater and it has the distinction of being the first self-serve Pinkberry location. There are 12 self-serve froyo flavors a day and your typical Pinkberry toppings bar (fresh fruit, popping boba, mochi, candy, nuts, cookies, sauces, Nutella, granola, coconut, cheesecake, brownies, cereal, waffle cookies, and luxe toppings) for 49 cents an ounce. It’s very similar to a regular Pinkberry only with more flavors, larger cups and the self-serve format.

Burbank Bob Hope Airport/Magnolia Park

I’m not too familiar with this area but it has strip malls and Magnolia Park has interesting retro/vintage boutiques (apparently it's a new shopping hot spot). FroyoFace recently morphed into Pit Stop Froyo & More (3503 W Magnolia Blvd.). Pit Stop has six self-serve froyo flavors a day (from YoCream), juices, smoothies, and boba drinks. About a block away, the ARCO station has a Yumz Express (3701 W Magnolia Blvd.) with four flavors of froyo. While you can serve yourself, the pricing is based on cup size. The frozen yogurt we tried was horrible…definitely avoid – it’s the worst place in town. Pit Stop and Yumz are right by Porto's Bakery and the Magnolia Park shopping district.

Menchie’s (3800 Verdugo Ave.) is also close by and the Yogurtland (2400 W Victory Blvd.) has a nice outdoor patio. Both are in strip malls.

Scoopable Froyo

You can also get scoopable froyo at Quenelle, Cold Stone Creamery and Ben & Jerry’s but why bother?

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.

Frozen Yogurt for Weary Travelers Passing Through Avenal, CA

Fro-yo girl here. When a tiny city in the middle of nowhere gets a froyo machine, call me impressed. Most people on the I-5 probably drive past Avenal (population 13,239) in Kings County unless they need gas, a snack or bathroom break or they’re forced to stop there (it’s a Greyhound rest stop). The Avenal Hillcrest Travel Plaza doesn’t have much but it will meet those needs and it is open 24 hours.

The 76 gas station convenience store just added one Electro Freeze countertop machine. It’s self-serve with two flavors (during my visit they had White Vanilla and Chocolate Classic from Dannon YoCream. You can get a cone or cup (flat rate cup price $3.99). They don’t have a toppings bar yet, but one is on the way.

The frozen yogurt was surprisingly thick, creamy and smooth (not bad at all for a gas station). While there is no toppings bar yet, there are plenty of snacks that you could buy and add to your froyo…cookies, candy, popcorn, potato chips, jerky. Hey, you can’t get froyo in Kettleman City though you can get soft serve ice cream at McDonald’s and scoopable ice cream at Doc Burnstein’s.

Sure the flavors are basic but basic good flavors are still satisfying.

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

* 76 Gas Station: Hillcrest Travel Plaza, 44779 S Lassen Ave., Avenal, CA 93204

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.

Rite Aid’s Fresh Day Café Offers “Thrifty Frozen Yogurt”

Fro-yo girl here. I recently learned that one remodeled Rite Aid location has self-serve froyo. The Rite Aid in Hollywood Hills (7900 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046) features a premium beauty department, larger pharmacy department and the Fresh Day Café. The Fresh Day Café offers Thrifty’s Ice Cream (by the scoop), Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf beverages, fresh baked goods and self-serve frozen yogurt. Ask for sample cups at the Fresh Day Café counter.

There are eight flavors to choose from plus a decent toppings bar for 49 cents an ounce. They also had a sorbet and no sugar added flavor. The frozen yogurt is from Dannon and they’re using Stoelting machines. Toppings include cookies, candy, sprinkles, cereal, nuts, fruit (looked like frozen and canned fruit), popping boba, cheesecake, mochi, coconut, gluten free granola (!) and syrups (kept by the register). The frozen yogurt ingredients and nutritional information were posted.

There were some textural problems with the yogurt (Euro Tart was overly icy and gritty) but they weren’t too bad. The Country Vanilla was rich, creamy, smooth and decadent.

Rite Aid Hollywood Hills started offering self-serve froyo in January 2015. The flagship Rite Aid location in Beverly Hills (300 North Canon Dr.), which already has a Fresh Day Café, will be getting self-serve frozen yogurt as well.

I like how Rite Aid’s frozen yogurt is sold by the ounce vs. Walgreen’s flat rate pricing for frozen yogurt and toppings because you don’t feel compelled to get more than you really want. Rite Aid’s frozen yogurt and toppings are better than Walgreen’s.

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.

Loop Neighborhood: A New Kind of Convenience Store, Featuring Froyo (and Free Wi-fi)

Fro-yo girl here. Meet Loop – a new kind of convenience store. Loop opened its first location in Santa Clara, CA in June 2013 and now has a dozen locations in Northern California. Additional locations are on the way, including one on Hickey Blvd. in Daly City (currently under construction).

The Loop seeks to redefine your local convenience store by offering healthier options, including organic, natural and gluten free products. The Loop has a modern, sleek design with white and orange as the color scheme and encourages people to linger and enjoy free wi-fi, a cup of froyo, fresh pastries, and espresso drinks. They carry things like kale chips, roasted seaweed snacks and bubble bath.

The Loop location that I visited was at a Shell gas station. 

The froyo station consisted of two Electro Freeze soft serve machines, each carrying two flavors with the twist option. The froyo is from Dannon YoCream. A small toppings bar on the side offered 14 options, including popping boba, sprinkles, candy, mochi, nuts, and chocolate chips. There wasn’t any fresh fruit. During my visit the flavors were: Country vanilla, Pistachio, Very strawberry and Chocolate classic.

You can choose between two sizes. A small is $2.99 and a large cup $3.99, with toppings an additional 50 cents. It’s self-serve and they don’t weigh your cups.

They didn’t have sample cups but were nice enough to improvise. The froyo tasted fine but it was way too soft. It would be difficult to pile a lot into a cup because of the soft texture. I hate it when froyo is too soft…so please, convenience stores and supermarkets take note – if you want to offer froyo, please make sure the texture is right because it so rarely is. Who wants to buy a big cup of runny, melted froyo?

As for the rest of the market, the hot food options weren’t that different from 7-Eleven: wings, rollers, hot dogs, potato wedges, etc. You can still get Icees. Loop has fancier soda and coffee machines and their own blend of coffee. The pastries looked fresher (and weren’t wrapped in plastic). There were a few tables. It’s a nicer looking cousin to 7-Eleven, AMPM and Circle K.

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

* LOOP NEIGHBORHOOD: 950 Hillside Blvd., Daly City, CA 94014

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.

First Visit to sweetFrog Frozen Yogurt

Fro-yo girl here. I finally made it to a sweetFrog location. The fast growing self-serve frozen yogurt chain first entered the California market in March 2013 and now has locations in Lancaster, Palmdale, Riverside and Victorville. The company, which is based in Richmond, VA, was founded in 2009 and has grown to 348 stores. sweetFrog was recently acquired by private equity firm, Boxwood Capital Partners LLC.

“sweetFrog prides itself on providing a family-friendly environment where customers can enjoy soft-serve frozen yogurt, gelato and sorbets with the toppings of their choice. The company was founded on Christian principles and seeks to bring happiness and a positive attitude into the lives of the communities it calls home. The F.R.O.G. in sweetFrog stands for Fully Rely On God, and we show that by being a good neighbor everywhere we move into. Through local partnerships, fundraisers, and much more, our stores become part of the fabric that wraps their communities.”

Froyo & God? The Riverside location isn’t shy about loving God. The product corner which features sweetFrog/God merchandise you can buy features the mascots, Scoop and Cookie, wearing clothing that mentions God and the t-shirts they sell say Fully Rely on God. The Styrofoam froyo cups mention John 3:16 (chapter 3, verse 16 of the Gospel of John).

It’s a little odd…but what you really want to know about is the froyo. The original tart was overly icy, not smooth and lacking a rich yogurt flavor. It was also too soft. The peanut butter was creamy but overly sweet. The toppings bar was standard – fruit, popping boba, mochi, syrups, nuts, candy, cookies, cheesecake, etc.

I can see why kids would like this place – it’s cheerful with pastel colors (inspired by Pinkberry?), a green tile wall that looks like Yogurtland’s and frog mascots, plus there are plenty of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings to choose from for 42 cents/ounce. However, sweetFrog doesn’t differentiate itself from other self-serve chains (other than by offering God/froyo merchandise). Even the merchandise they offer isn’t as cute as Menchie’s.

I was surprised that sweetFrog still uses Styrofoam cups and non-compostable spoons.

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

* SWEETFROG: Canyon Crest Towne Centre, 5225 Canyon Crest Dr, Riverside, CA 92507

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.

Cups Northridge Grand Opening Celebration

Fro-yo girl here. Cups, a NJ based chain, is expanding its presence in CA with a new location at the Northridge Fashion Center. The shop had a soft opening last week and a grand opening celebration on April 11, 2015 from 5-7 PM. It’s the only frozen yogurt shop at the mall. Cups has a surf/beach theme with loud music (a club experience). There were more young guys waiting in the free froyo line  than usual.

Shortly before 5 the Cups team gathered in front of the shop for team photos, followed by a ribbon cutting. Guests enjoyed free  froyo (big 16 ounce cups) from 5-7  PM. There were 12 self-serve frozen yogurt flavors (also sorbet and vanilla custard) and over 50 toppings including sauces, fruit, popping boba, candy, cookie dough, wet walnuts, cheesecake, brownies, mochi, cereal, nuts, chocolate chips, cookies, and sprinkles. It’s 49 cents an ounce.

In addition to the self-serve froyo option, Cups has Twisters – a custom blend of froyo and candy.

The grand opening celebration continues for one week. During the week, Cups customers will receive a scratch off card. They can win prizes like lip balm, Cups coupons, beach balls, sunglasses and the grand prize – free froyo for a year.

I received a $1 off coupon from the Guest Services desk at Northridge Fashion Center.

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

* CUPS Frozen Yogurt: Northridge Fashion Center, 9301 Tampa Ave., Suite 146, Northridge, CA 91324

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.

Yogofina to Open in Elmwood Neighborhood of Berkeley

Fro-yo girl here. Thanks Berkeleyside for the heads up on the future location of Yogofina. Yogofina will have seven froyo machines (14 flavors) and will have a self-serve format. It's taking over the Body Time spot. There will be no seating. 

Yogofina has locations in Oakland, San Leandro, Alameda, Pleasanton and Central California.

* YOGOFINA: 2911 College Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705

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.

A Visit to a Self Serve Pinkberry Location

Fro-yo girl here. I was surprised to learn that the downtown Burbank Pinkberry location switched to a self-serve format last year. I didn’t see an announcement at the time (though they did announce it on the Burbank Pinkberry Facebook page – a page I wasn’t checking). It’s just a toe dip into the self-serve format though. As far as I know this and the Brea location are the only self-serve Pinkberry locations.

The Burbank location carries 12 self-serve froyo flavors a day (the same flavors you’d find at other Pinkberry locations) and your typical Pinkberry toppings (fresh fruit, popping boba, mochi, candy, nuts, cookies, cookie dough, sauces, Nutella, granola, coconut, cheesecake, brownies, cereal, waffle cookies, chocolate, granola, and luxe toppings) for 49 cents an ounce. It’s very similar to a regular Pinkberry only with more flavors, larger cups and the self-serve format. At your typical Pinkberry you can get multiple flavors and unlimited toppings so there isn’t much difference. Sample cups are on a tray at the toppings bar. You can also request a waffle bowl.

The shop looked like a regular Pinkberry shop only with a wall of froyo machines. The interior has pastel colors, plants and pebble floor. They kept the toppings bar very clean and the fruit looked fresh. The toppings are better than average. My favorite topping is the dark chocolate crisps.

Froyo flavors of the day:

• Vanilla bean
• Chocolate chip cookie
• Sea salt chocolate
• Cookies & cream
• Passionfruit
• Pomegranate
• Mango
• Original
• Blood orange
• Raspberry white chocolate
• Pineapple
• Pina colada

I don’t think this location has frozen shakes or yogurt smoothies. It’s froyo only. Mr. Froyo and I thought it was a well maintained shop. We weren’t that thrilled about serving ourselves (counter serve is more sanitary) but we did enjoy our froyo. I recommend getting the new Raspberry White Chocolate flavor – the raspberry is tangy and the dominant flavor but the white chocolate adds a pleasant sweetness.

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

* PINKBERRY BURBANK, 120 East Palm Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502

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.