Why Menchie’s Universal CityWalk Location is Different

Fro-yo girl here. I was surprised when I learned that Yogurtland closed the Universal CityWalk location late last year. That location had a giant faux froyo machine dispensing froyo into a Yogurtland cup and that they lit up at night (love). The exterior signage was removed (sadly).

Menchie’s replaced Yogurtland at Universal CityWalk. The location must have opened pretty quietly in May 2017 because I didn’t hear about it. I missed whatever grand opening they had.

The façade isn’t as fancy as it used to be; a giant Menchie replaced the giant Yogurtland froyo cup and spoon. The inside does look fancier than a typical Menchie’s. There’s a cute Wild West mural featuring the Sweet Friends on the wall where the froyo machines are. The lampshades look like leaves.

There are 16 self-serve froyo flavors a day and the usual Menchie’s toppings (candies, cookies, cereal, nuts, popping boba, brownies, cookie dough, mochi, cheesecake, whipped topping, etc.) and sauces for 58 cents an ounce. Fresh waffle cups are available. It’s more expensive here but you’d expect that because it’s at the CityWalk.

They had a small amount of Menchie’s merchandise (plush dolls, Menchie’s apparel) for sale. Menchie’s Bottled water is $2.40.

I was surprised that this location does not participate in the My Smileage rewards program. Hmm. When I asked why, I was told that Universal owns this location. This may mean that they won’t participate in some of the Menchie’s promotions, though they had the Captain Underpants cups. They didn't have the new Mookie spoons that some Menchie's locations are currently offering.

It turns out that Universal owns and manages quite a few of the restaurants at CityWalk, including Voodoo Doughnuts, LudoBird, and more. This is a recent initiative of theirs and it is the reason that multiple restaurants have been replaced. It also means that the employees inside Menchie’s are Universal employees, not Menchie’s employees.

I can’t see coming here often because parking is $20 ($10 after 6 PM) and only full-service restaurants and the movie theater offer validation (with validation, parking is $7, unless you see a movie, then parking is $5). It’s not worth it.

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

By Lolia S.

* MENCHIE’S: Universal CityWalk, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

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