American frozen yogurt parlour chain Menchie’s is to planning to launch in the UK in 2015 with 200 stores, creating up to 3,000 jobs.
In a statement, chief executive Amit Kleinberger said the company would start with locations in the greater London area before expanding throughout the UK.
“My plan is to open up to 200 locations within the next 10 years,” he said. “One of my stores can create about 15 jobs so if all goes well in the next 10 years, I will be hoping to create 3,000 jobs for the UK market.”
With the slogan ‘We make you smile’, Menchie’s was founded in 2007 by husband and wife team Adam and Danna Caldwell, with a single store in Valley Village, Los Angeles. The concept was expanded through franchising and in 2008, the couple brought in Mr Kleinberger to roll-out the franchising model.
Menchie’s offers nearly 100 flavours of frozen yogurt and 70 toppings. Its menu includes non-fat, low-carbohydrate, no-added-sugar, gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free options.
Menchie’s has found success in China, Japan, Pakistan, Australia, India, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and South Africa – but the chain has yet to open in Europe.
“We are the largest self-serve frozen yogurt franchise in the world,” said Mr Kleinberger. “In a few months’ time, we will be opening our 500th store and we have an additional 500 stores around the world in development. Several years from now, we will have around 1,000 stores worldwide.
“Yoghurt is having a great run around the world, whether it is fresh or frozen, because it’s in the right place at the right time. The world is seeking products that not only taste good but do good. We offer a product that is lower in fat and calories whilst still providing an experience that is actually tastier than what’s out there in the ice cream market,” he said.
“When I was growing Menchie’s, the competition was from other frozen yoghurt stores. Today, we have a significantly larger footprint than any frozen brand so my competition is not frozen yogurt, it’s the ice cream market.”
He said he was aiming for a bigger slice of the US market for ice cream which is worth several billion dollars, adding: “My vision is to capture the hearts and minds of consumers and teach and educate them that frozen yogurt is a product that has real benefits.”
Source: Menchie’s/The Telegraph
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