The Rise and Fall of Purpose Snackery

Purpose Snackery, Milton, Georgia

Fro-yo girl here. Plenty of froyo shops close, but Purpose Snackery caught my eye back when it opened in August 2017 in Milton, Georgia at 12630 Crabapple Rd., Ste 100 inside Crabapple Market. The concept from Remarkable Brands LLC was different (focused on serving wholesome snacks from purpose-driven brands, including Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt) and the images very cute and modern. Georgia Franchise Group was the Territory Developer. They hoped to create a new franchise but only had two locations.

When the first location opened, they served flatbreads, toasts, smoothies, coffee, handcrafted soda and self-serve Orange Leaf froyo with toppings. They charged by froyo cup size not weight. Here’s their own description:

"At Purpose Snackery®, we recognize that America has become a nation of snackers, so we have created a snack shop that offers a little something for everyone. With a variety of wholesome grab-n-go snacks, signature baked Snackbreads™, a selection of frozen desserts fueled by Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt®, and specialty craft sodas and coffee drinks from EOTE Coffee Company®, Purpose Snackery is your one-stop snacking destination."

"Through our shared vision of having a purpose beyond profit, Purpose Snackery™ works with local, regional and national purpose-driven brands to provide a variety of wholesome grab-n-go snacks, signature baked Snackbreads™, a selection of frozen desserts and specialty cold brew coffee drinks."

Cute posts continued for about two years. Early in 2018 or even late 2017, they stopped carrying frozen yogurt and switched to soft serve gelato (sad face). Purpose opened another location inside Airborne Canton Aerial Adventure Park in the fall of 2018.

The last FB post from Purpose Snackery was in March 2019. The last Instagram post from Purpose Snackery was in June 2019. The post said that they were making changes to the Milton location. The Purpose Snackery trademark was filed by Orange Leaf Holdings and abandoned in late 2017. The Purpose Snackery website disappeared. Airborne closed permanently due to COVID-19 and so did the Purpose Snackery inside. RIP.

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.

Pasadena 2020 Froyo Report

Fro-yo girl here. Has it really been over seven years since my last Pasadena froyo report? The coronavirus outbreak has inspired me to update my old posts. I can’t go out for froyo that often, so it’s a good time to reflect.

Every froyo shop mentioned in the 2013 report has closed, except for 21 Choices, which moved about a block or two from its previous location in Old Town Pasadena. The new address is 44 N Fair Oaks Ave.

Closures since 2013 report:

• Buzio’s
• Cherry on Top
• Moka Café
• Pinkberry

Cold Stone Creamery is still open, but it’s not a froyo shop. I think they still have scoopable froyo. Jamba Juice stopped offering mix-in froyo at all their locations.

Since the 2013 report, the following froyo shops have opened in Pasadena:

• Blissery Frozen Yogurt, 1727 E Washington Blvd, took over the Yoguroo space in East Pasadena and was in business from 2013-2017. They made the space more colorful.
• Bloomfield Creamery, 1727 E Washington Blvd, took over the Blissery space in 2017. They kept the self-serve froyo but added their own ice cream and cookie dough. They made it less colorful.
• Freshii inside Target on Colorado briefly served froyo starting in 2016 and then closed in 2017.
• Froyolife, 1709 E Colorado Blvd, was part of a small local self-serve froyo chain which only has one location left, in downtown Montrose. The Pasadena location was across the street from Pasadena City College and was only open from 2014-2015. The Los Feliz location was razed and will be replaced by a medical office. Yawn.
• Sunlife Organics, 146 S Lake Ave., opened in 2016 and had organic froyo. It was one size, huge, and it wasn’t that good. I’m not sure if they still offer froyo but it isn’t listed on their online menu.
• Yogurtland Lake, 415 S Lake Ave., C107, opened in 2013 and was my regular location for years. I have many fond memories of this location. Sadly, ownership changed in December 2018 and things went downhill quickly. It’s still open but a shell of its former self.
• Yogurtland Old Town Pasadena, 30 W Colorado Blvd, was the second Yogurtland location to open in Pasadena, CA and it operated from 2014-2019. The Old Town location was smaller with fewer machines than the Lake location. It looks like someone new is taking over the space.

So, the current places for soft-serve froyo in Pasadena are: 

• 21 Choices
• Bloomfield Creamery
• Yogurtland Lake

And in South Pasadena:

• Menchie’s 
• Penguin’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.

Menchie’s September Feature Flavors: Gourmet Caramel Vanilla Gelato & Peppa Pig Cotton Candy

Fro-yo girl here. It’s nice to see that a new month once again means new feature flavors from Menchie’s. September 2020’s feature flavors are:

Peppa Pig cotton candy frozen yogurt: This flavor returns by popular demand.

Gourmet Caramel Vanilla gelato: Inspired by Italy, Menchie’s has introduced NEW Gourmet Caramel Vanilla gelato. Menchie’s describes Gourmet Caramel Vanilla as “made with rich caramel and hints of vanilla and contains live and active cultures. Drizzle caramel sauce on top for an extra sweet treat.” The new flavor is gluten-free, free of high fructose corn syrup, and made with no artificial colors or flavors. It also has live and active cultures. Menchie’s gelato is richer and higher in fat than their frozen yogurt. I found Gourmet Caramel Vanilla Gelato at Menchie’s in El Monte, CA. The description was accurent since the caramel seemed much stronger than the vanilla. It reminded me of butterscotch, rich and warm. Recommended toppings: Butterfinger, Nilla wafers or graham crackers, cheesecake.

Both flavors are available for a limited time, while supplies last.

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.

Take the National Frozen Yogurt Consumer Survey for a Chance to Win Free Froyo

Fro-yo girl here. Froyo fans, the Fourth National Frozen Yogurt Consumer Survey, sponsored by the International Frozen Yogurt Association, is now open. We'd love to hear from you!

Complete the froyo survey by midnight Pacific Time on September 23, 2020 for a chance to win one of four $30 froyo shop gift cards. Winners can choose a gift card from any froyo shop that sells online gift cards. 

The survey is open to anyone over 13 who lives in the US. Responses will remain anonymous. Winners will be selected based on a random drawing. One entry per person please.

Take the 6 minute survey at https://tinyurl.com/froyoconsumer

The annual IFYA National Frozen Yogurt Survey captures trends in the frozen yogurt market. This year's consumer questionnaire has been modified with new questions about the impact of COVID-19 on frozen yogurt consumption and attitudes. The results will be shared with frozen yogurt shops and others in the frozen yogurt industry to help shape the future of the industry.

Tell others to take the survey too!

Anyone who is interested in the survey results simply needs to share the survey invitation using a public profile. There are several ways to share the survey invitation, including sharing IFYA’s pinned Facebook post about the survey (https://www.facebook.com/froyoassociation/), pinned tweet (@froyogirl) or Instagram survey post (@intlfroyoassn) before September 21, 2020. Then, after sharing, send the IFYA a direct message with your email address. 

For the complete contest rules, visit https://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/ifya/official-rules-for-the-national-frozen-yogurt-consumer-survey-sweepstakes/

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.

Lay’s Lactobacillus Yogurt Soda Flavored Potato Chips Review

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve had some good and some bad experiences with Lay’s flavors from other countries. But when I spotted the yogurt soda Lay’s at HK2 Food District in West Covina, CA, I had to try it. Soda-flavored potato chips. Hmm. The chips were manufactured in Shanghai, China. One bag is 2.29 oz. HK2 Food District was selling Lay’s from China for $1.99/bag.

* Yogurt soda Lay’s: The scent was pleasant – like sweet yogurt soda with a hint of potato chips. The flavor was better than I expected as well. It was definitely tangy and I love tangy potato chips. The flavor grew on me because it is different – tangysweet with a carbonated scent and flavor. If it weren’t for the tang, the chips would have been too sweet. The chip was light, thin, and crispy.

Sounds weird but tzatziki, raita or labne + zaatar potato chips all appeal to me. It’s the soda part that’s offputting and doesn’t sound natural. Those yogurt sodas are usually too sweet and too artificial. But these chips were better than yogurt soda! The other online reviews are mostly favorable as well.

4 out of 5 stars.

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

* HK2 FOOD DISTRICT: 987 S Glendora Ave., West Covina, CA 91790

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 at Yogurtland: Honey Roasted Peanut Soft Serve

Fro-yo girl here. I haven’t seen the official announcement yet, but Yogurtland has a NEW flavor: Honey Roasted Peanut soft serve. Made with real roasted peanuts and honey, the flavor is described as “a timeless flavor, rich and salty peanut butter balance with sweet and mellow honey.” Sounds good! It’s also gluten-free and calcium fortified.

Honey Roasted Peanut: I LOVE Yogurtland’s Peanut Butter froyo flavor, so a new peanut butter flavor definitely piqued my interest. The good news is that Honey Roasted Peanut soft serve is one of Yogurtland’s better flavors. The texture was smooth and creamy. It was sweet but not crazy sweet and I could taste honey and pb because neither was overpowering. It’s mellow and milky. I still prefer the Peanut Butter froyo because I like my pb straight up and it’s froyo, but I would get Honey Roasted Peanut again. Recommended toppings: Nutter Butter, peanut butter chips, Cap’n Crunch.

Yogurtland Alhambra is still full-service, which is fine with me. And samples aren’t being given out at this time (due to the coronavirus).

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.

2020 Froyo Guide to Los Angeles

Pita GR

Fro-yo girl here. My froyo guide to greater Los Angeles will be six years old in October. With so many froyo changes since then, the guide could definitely use an update. Some of the shops in the 2014 guide have closed (e.g., Yogurtland CityWalk, SweetXO) or moved (e.g., Humphrey Yogart).

Downtown/Central LA

Spread Mediterranean Kitchen (334 S Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90034) isn’t a froyo shop and that’s a good thing because you can enjoy a delicious meal here with froyo for dessert. They also have craft cocktails. I like getting the hummus plate with lamb meatballs or falafel, cheesy and spicy style. I also like how the froyo comes in a mini size, perfect for dessert or a snack. The housemade Greek froyo comes in one flavor, plain and it’s icy and refreshing. Note: Spread is currently a specialty market (delivery or pickup only).

Craving super flavorful, tart froyo? Head to an ice cream shop! Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in Los Feliz (1954 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027) makes scoopable frozen yogurt that will leave tart froyo lovers swooning. Rainbow Yo features three tangy froyo flavors all made with biodynamic dairy from Ohio.

Yoga-urt

East

21 Choices Frozen Yogurt (44 N Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105, additional locations in Claremont, CA) stays on the list because it offers something hard to find: housemade froyo flavors that you can customize with mix-ins. Your custom flavor is mixed before your eyes on a frozen marble slab. They’re known for unique flavors like Circus Animal and Nutella Cookie Dough. If you love toppings, this is the place for you. If you like your froyo with more texture, try their Crunchy Choices which has bigger pieces of toppings. 

Yoga-urt (two locations: 1407½ W Kenneth Rd., Glendale, CA 91202 & 2211 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026) was the first plant-based, gluten-free, kosher, soy-free, organic “froyo” shop in Los Angeles. I’m thrilled that they’ve done well enough to open a second shop in Echo Park. They make their own froyo (yes, it is froyo because it’s probiotic) from scratch. The main base is almond and cashew milk. Their flavors are unique and often intriguing, e.g., Purple Power has beets, Ganesha’s Sweet Greens has spinach. Their yogurt is so fresh and delicious that you don't miss the dairy at all. My favorite flavors are Vanilla Harmony, True Tahini, Pistachio Passion, and Ganesha’s Sweet Greens. 

West Side

While the original Pinkberry location in West Hollywood has closed, the Beverly Hills Pinkberry (240 S Beverly Dr #A, Beverly Hills, CA 90212) continues to offer what Pinkberry is known for: original tart froyo and a chance to spot a celebrity or two. While you’re in Beverly Hills, you can walk over to the next spot, Go Greek.

Another returning shop from the 2016 guide, Go Greek (425 N Bedford Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, other locations in Santa Monica, Woodland Hills & Las Vegas) offers self-serve premium froyo made with Greek yogurt, smoothies, and fresh Greek yogurt. Authentic imported Greek toppings like sour cherry, quince, rose and carrot are available. Their froyo is super thick, creamy, and rich.

South

Pita GR (9905 Paramount Blvd., Downey, CA 90240) is a fast casual Greek street food eatery with a Greek chef. They make their own frozen Greek yogurt with their own recipe. There's only one flavor, plain. It can be topped with sour cherry syrup, lemon preserve, housemade baklava, or wildflower honey. The food is also delicious. Warning, the froyo is large so don’t order a big meal. Save room for froyo!

OC

Yes, there are countless Yogurtland locations in Southern California, but there’s only one original location and it’s in Fullertion. Yogurtland Fullerton (501 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831) opened in February 2006 and has been remodeled several times over the year, but a few things stayed the same: self-serve froyo and proprietary froyo flavors.

San Fernando Valley

Menchie’s started in Valley Village, CA in May 2007 and grew to become the largest self-serve froyo franchise in the world. The original location feels different. The décor is a bit different and the service is something that every Menchie’s should strive towards. Even the cheerful phone manner makes this location different. It’s always clean and well-stocked.

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.