Yogurtini » Self Serve Frozen Yogurt Franchise

Yogurtini Self-Serve Opens Third South Florida Location; Grand Opening Free Froyo Party: 4-6, April 21

Yogurtini — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:10:55 +0000

MIAMI, April 16, 2012 — – Yogurtini® (YHI, Inc.) a national frozen yogurt franchise, celebrates the launch of its third store in South Florida at the Shoppes @ 104, 14607 SW 104th St., Suite 3A in Kendall with a free yogurt party from 4 – 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 21.

The Yogurtini Self-Serve shop in Miami (http://twitter.com/yogurtiniSFL) is one of 10 stores owners Emilio and Javier Braun of Yogurtini Florida LLC plan to open in two years. The brothers have an exclusive contract with Yogurtini® to expand the Arizona-based franchise in South Florida.

The Miami-based Yogurtini Florida opened its first Florida store in Coral Springs at 4230 N. State Road 7 in the Turtle Crossing Shopping Center in the fall of 2011, and their second in Davie at the Shoppes of Rolling Hills, 3325 South University Dr., Suite 121, in January.

Yogurtini® is known for offering a rotating selection of 16 flavors and more than 65 toppings. The company charges an affordable 39 cents an ounce, among the lowest in the industry. The company also has a menu of Flavortini recipes created by mixing an array of frozen yogurts and toppings. Flavortinis like the “Extra Dirty” and “The Peanut Butter and Jelly” are favorites.

Event Details Who: Yogurtini® Self-Serve What/When: Grand Opening Free Yogurt Party, 4 – 6 p.m., Saturday, April 21 Where: 14607 SW 104th St., Suite 3A, in the Shoppes @ 104 Why: We like parties. We’ll have a DJ and a face painter for the kid in all of us. Call: 305-385-6200

About Yogurtini, and YHI, Inc. ®: Created by Tempe, AZ natives and sisters, Natasha Nelson and Chelsey Nelson, Yogurtini® Self-Serve only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association. Yogurtini® has been recognized by customers and the press in its native Arizona, where readers recently voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” in 944 Magazine and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine.

Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through its social networking program.http://www.facebook.com/yogurtini or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/yogurtini. YHI, Inc is the franchise development company for Yogurtini. Learn about franchising atwww.yogurtini.com/franchise. Yogurtini offers frozen yogurt franchise area development agreements. Additional Yogurtini franchises are under development in Florida, Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona, Kansas, Virginia and Missouri.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/16/2751721/yogurtini-self-serve-opens-third.html#storylink=cpy

You Can Be Your Own Boss With Yogurtini Self Serve Frozen Yogurt Franchise According to the Miami Herald!

Yogurtini — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:40:47 +0000

The Miami Herald

You Can Be Your Own Boss With Yogurtini Self Serve Frozen Yogurt Franchise According to the Miami Herald!

Franchise opportunities are growing in South Florida, allowing new business owners to build on the strength of a proven brand.

“Folks underestimate themselves — with the great training they get in the corporate world, they are in a position to run their own business,” he said. “They don’t know it, but they come with a skill set. As long as they bring the same focus and attention into something that is of great interest to them, it gives them the tools to be successful in their own small company.”

To be sure, prospective franchisees should also do their due diligence and examine the company, including its track record, business model, competition, training and support, and reasons for choosing South Florida, Peña said.

South Florida entrepreneur Emilio Braun spent two years looking for a franchising opportunity in South Florida, before settling on frozen yogurt.

After researching various brands, he signed a master franchise development contract with Tempe, Ariz.-based Yogurtini, for Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

He and his brother, Javier, opened their first shop in Coral Springs about five months ago, another in Davie last month, and plan a third in Kendall, which will open in March. In all, they hope to open at least 10 within five years.

The brothers, who have businesses in industries such as television and real estate, sold their 80 mobile phone stores in Mexico and funded the yogurt shops with their own capital.

They decided that franchising was their next best bet.

“When I started doing research, I saw that competition is very high in the States, so if you don’t do it the right way you are going to go out of business very quickly,” Emilio Braun said.

Franchise rules that govern everything from the size of the space to the type of sound system installed end up being advantageous in the long run, he said, allowing him to “compete in a saturated market.”

“I have support from the franchiser in marketing, in publicity, in operations. We do a conference call every two weeks to see how things are going, and they come and visit every month or two,” said Braun, 37. “So that is the price you are paying. I believe it is worth it.”

Nevertheless, franchising is not for everyone. Starting your own business without the constraints and costs of buying a franchise is far more appealing for some entrepreneurs.

“You don’t have to pay for a mentor if you find the right one,” said Todd Fener, who lives in Key Biscayne and owns four coin laundries. He found his own mentor in John O’Brien, a Fort Lauderdale entrepreneur who owns 17 coin laundries.

For many, the biggest hurdle to opening a franchise remains access to credit, Caldeira said. Loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, once considered the last resort, have become the first option, he said.

In fact, the SBA has guaranteed more than 500 loans during the past six years, totaling $242.3 million, for franchisees south of Orlando, said Althea Harris, assistant district director of marketing and outreach at the SBA office in Miami.

“In many cases, it is easier to get a franchise financed than other businesses,” Peña said, citing franchiser financing and the possibility of using your own retirement funds.

Pein, for example, was able to finance her first 7-Eleven franchise by taking out a $200,000 loan with Citibank, which, at the time, had an arrangement with the company.

Read full article here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/19/2650495_p2/you-can-be-the-boss-for-a-price.html#storylink=cpy

About Yogurtini, and YHI, Inc ®:

Created by Tempe, AZ natives and sisters, Natasha Nelson and Chelsey Nelson, Yogurtini® Self-Serve offers up to 16 rotating healthy and fat-free frozen yogurt flavors and over 70 toppings. Yogurtini® only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association. The popularity of Yogurtini® and the brand has been recognized consistently by customers and the press in its native Arizona, where readers recently voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” in 944 Magazine and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine. The accelerated growth of the franchise has been recognized by the national press including Fox Business News, The Wall Street Journal and Inc. Magazine. Yogurtini® boasts having some of the most knowledgeable yogurt innovators in the industry. Yogurtini’s top quality, taste, original flavors, and extensive toppings have been praised by the masses.

Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through its social networking program. http://www.facebook.com/yogurtini or follow us on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/yogurtini. For more information on Yogurtini® visitwww.yogurtini.com. YHI, Inc is the franchise development company for Yogurtini. To learn more about being awarded a Yogurtini franchise visit www.yogurtini.com/franchise . Yogurtini is now offering frozen yogurt franchise area development agreements. Additional Yogurtini franchises are currently under construction and development in Florida, Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona, Kansas, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Missouri.

YOGURTINI® SELF-SERVE FROZEN YOGURT FRANCHISE ANNOUNCES GRAND OPENING IN OZARK-NIXA, MISSOURI

Yogurtini — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:29:35 +0000

Grand opening of Yogurtini self-serve in Ozark-Nixa

Tempe, AZ (Jan. 10, 2012) – Yogurtini®, a quickly growing and popular self-serve frozen yogurt franchise, today announces the grand opening of its new location in Ozark-Nixa, Missouri, located at 612 N. 25^th St., Ozark, MO 65721.

To celebrate the grand opening of Missouri’s favorite frozen yogurt, the Ozark-Nixa location will be giving out FREE frozen yogurt on Saturday, Jan. 14 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Part of the celebration will include an appearance from Yogurtiniman and fun activities for kids. Yogurtini will also be accepting donations in partnership with The Ozarks Literacy Council (OLC) which promotes literacy education in Springfield, Missouri and the surrounding communities by offering free one-on-one training and a variety of literacy programs for expecting parents, preschoolers, kids, teens, and adults to improve reading and writing skills.

“We are so excited to bring Yogurtini to the Ozark-Nixa community,” said Jan Buning, owner of the new location. “We are looking forward to everyone coming out this Saturday to take part in our free yogurt party and experience the fun and creativity of making your own favorite frozen yogurt concoction,” she continued.

The newest location is the sixth Yogurtini location in Missouri. Rapidly building a devoted following of its non-fat, real yogurt, pay by the ounce model and by providing its customers with a unique experience upon each visit. The serve-yo-self® concept allows customers to make their own frozen yogurt creation, creating blends and concoctions, just like a signature martini.

Yogurtini® regularly has classic flavors such as Ultimate Chocolate, Classic Vanilla, Chelsey’s Cheesecake, and Peanut Butter, but there is always a surprise for the more adventurous like Pomegranate Raspberry, Maple Bacon Donut, Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough and Blueberry Tartini. The incomparable Yogurtini® “House” Tart, along with a non-dairy and no sugar added flavor option is always a main stay. At Yogurtini, Flavortini© recipes are created by mixing an array of frozen yogurts and toppings like the famous “Extra Dirty”; a favorite among their loyal following.

About Yogurtini, and YHI, Inc ®:

Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through its social networking program. http://www.facebook.com/yogurtini or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/yogurtini. For more information on Yogurtini® visit www.yogurtini.com. YHI, Inc is the franchise development company for Yogurtini. To learn more about being awarded a Yogurtini franchise visit www.yogurtini.com/franchise . Yogurtini is now offering frozen yogurt franchise area development agreements. Additional Yogurtini franchises are currently under construction and development in Florida, Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona, Kansas, Virginia and Missouri.

Yogurtini co-founder interviewed by NFIB about her growing self serve frozen yogurt franchise during a personal crisis

Yogurtini — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:31:32 +0000

Yogurtini self serve frozen yogurt franchise co-founder was recently interviewed on how her sister and her grew their frozen yogurt business during a personal crisis. To listen to the podcast visit here.

NFIB podcast

About Yogurtini® and YHI, Inc.

Yogurtini® Self-Serve, originally created in 2008 by sisters Natasha Nelson and Chelsey Nelson in Tempe, AZ., Yogurtini® Self-Serve has become one of the fastest growing franchise companies in the frozen dessert sector. The popularity of the brand stems from its’ superior product, the sophisticated décor, ambiance and extensive marketing by YHI. Yogurtini® offers up to 16 rotating healthy and fat-free frozen yogurt flavors and over 70 toppings. Yogurtini® is a premium product and only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association.

In July of 2009 YHI, Inc. was formed by the Nelson sisters. With the unification of a diverse team of experts in the area of finance, marketing, construction, operations and product development, YHI was determined and prepared to create a successful franchise on a national level.

The Yogurtini® Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) was completed in October of 2009 and the first franchise location was sold in November of 2009 and opened in Phoenix, AZ. in June of 2010. The second and third locations opened in July and August of 2010 in Kansas City, MO. Since formation and without any outside capital, YHI has averaged opening one store a month. By the end of 2012, YHI will have over 20 stores open across the country. Yogurtini® has signed area development agreements in Southern Florida and additional franchises are currently under construction and development in Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona, Kansas, Florida, Nebraska, Virginia and Missouri.

Yogurtini® boasts having some of the most knowledgeable yogurt innovators in the industry. Yogurtini’s top quality, taste, original flavors, and extensive toppings have been praised by the masses. Recently readers of 944 Magazine voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” in 944 Magazine and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine. Yogurtini® boasts having some of the most knowledgeable yogurt innovators in the industry. The popularity of the Yogurtini® brand and the accelerated growth of the franchise has been recognized by the national press including Fox Business News, The Wall Street Journal and Inc. Magazine.

Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through its social networking program.http://www.facebook.com/yogurtini, http://www.myspace.com/yogurtini or follow us on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/yogurtini . For more information on Yogurtini® visit www.yogurtini.com. YHI, Inc is the franchise development company for Yogurtini. To learn more about being awarded a Yogurtini franchise visit www.yogurtini.com/franchise.

Yogurtini self-serve frozen yogurt franchise signs ten store master franchise deal in South Florida!

Yogurtini — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:57:56 +0000

Coral Springs Yogurtini

–Yogurtini Franchise Company, YHI Signs Contract For Area Development in So. FL. –

TEMPE, Ariz. , 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Yogurtini® (YHI, Inc), a quickly growing and popular national self-serve frozen yogurt franchise, today announces the grand opening of it’s first franchise location in Coral Springs, FL on Sat. Oct. 1. The Coral Springs store marks the first of a ten-store area development deal with brothers Emilio and Javier Braun.

The brothers, who are based in Miami, are in the process of opening stores in Davie, Fort Lauderdale and the Hammocks Community in South Miami-Dade County.

“We’re excited to launch our first store in Florida. Yogurtini® has a great product and focus in providing the community great service and an affordable and healthy frozen yogurt,” said Emilio Braun, President, Yogurtini Florida LLC.

“Our company is looking forward to working with the Braun brothers as we expand into the Florida region,” said Natasha Nelson, President of Yogurtini. “They have the business experience and excitement for the brand, which is exactly what we look for in partnering with area developers as we grow,” she continued.

Yogurtini® regularly has classic flavors such as Ultimate Chocolate, Classic Vanilla, Chelsey’s Cheesecake, and Peanut Butter, but there is always a surprise for the more adventurous like Northshore Pineapple Tart, Blueberry Muffin and Ruby Red Grapefruit Tartini. The incomparable Yogurtini® “House” Tart, along with a non-dairy and no sugar added flavor option is always a main stay. At Yogurtini, Flavortini© recipes are created by mixing an array of frozen yogurts and toppings like the famous “Extra Dirty”; a favorite among their loyal following.

About Yogurtini, and YHI, Inc ®:

Created by Tempe, AZ natives and sisters, Natasha Nelson and Chelsey Nelson, Yogurtini® Self-Serve offers up to 16 rotating healthy and fat-free frozen yogurt flavors and over 70 toppings. Yogurtini® only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association. The popularity of Yogurtini® and the brand has been recognized consistently by customers and the press in its native Arizona, where readers recently voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” in 944 Magazine and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine. Yogurtini® was also nominated for “Best Frozen Yogurt” by The Phoenix New Times. Yogurtini® boasts having some of the most knowledgeable yogurt innovators in the industry. Yogurtini’s top quality, taste, original flavors, and extensive toppings have been praised by the masses.

Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through its social networking program.http://www.facebook.com/yogurtini, http://www.myspace.com/yogurtini or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/yogurtini and specifically for Southern FL at @YogurtiniSFL. For more information on Yogurtini® visit www.yogurtini.com. YHI, Inc is the franchise development company for Yogurtini. To learn more about being awarded a Yogurtini franchise visit www.yogurtini.com/franchise . Yogurtini is now offering frozen yogurt franchise area development agreements. Additional Yogurtini franchises are currently under construction and development in Florida, Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona, Kansas, Virginia and Missouri.

Great article on how to choose a successful franchise – have you considered a frozen yogurt franchise?

Yogurtini — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 19:59:25 +0000

The Franchise Hound

As the co-founder and President of the self serve frozen yogurt Yogurtini self-serve franchise I am always researching what the experts think makes a franchise successful. I found this article on The Franchise Hound. They quote the Small Business Administration, ” only 5% of new franchise businesses fail, as opposed to 30% of non-franchise businesses.” Although the odds of going with a proven franchise system seems to be better they outline four areas why some franchises succeed and some do not.I not only found it very interesting but it reassured me that the Yogurtini franchise team is on the right track. I posted the article below but you can also read it here. – Let me know what you think?- Natasha Nelson

4 Elements of a Successful Franchise

Offering everything from sandwiches to tire repair to consumers, franchises play a huge role in how business gets done in the 21st century. And it’s easy to see why: they work. According to the Small Business Administration, only 5% of new franchise businesses fail, as opposed to 30% of non-franchise businesses.

Franchising, however, is not a sure thing; there are reasons why some succeed and some do not.

The Idea

The most important element behind franchise success is the idea.

The idea has to be unique, creative, and something that the market needs and wants, both now and in the future. It need not be an entirely new idea, but it needs to have enough new elements to make it fresh, interesting, and marketable – a twist, a different angle, something that hasn’t been done exactly that way before. A good idea also avoids one common trap in the franchise world: over-saturation of a market. By definition, a good idea puts a franchise business ahead of its competition.

The System

A franchise needs to have a workable and easily-replicated system. The reason McDonald’s has been successful is that the menu is simple, the production process makes sense, and each individual restaurant can be run by a manager with minimal training. A franchise’s system includes effective leadership in the parent company, since good leadership affects how the whole business runs.

Advertising and Marketing

One of the benefits of franchising for individual franchise owners is the advertising provided on a national or international level. Because of this advertising and marketing, consumers recognize the brand, understand what it offers, and know what they can expect. The individual franchises can then piggy-back on this brand recognition and build on it with advertising in their own local or regional markets. Brands that don’t offer good marketing on a national level, however, make it difficult for individual franchises to succeed.

Ongoing Communication, Training and Support

There must be a sense, in a franchise system, that everyone’s in it together. This means regular communication between the parent company and the individual franchise owners; training in new systems, methods, materials, and products; and support for franchise owners, operators, and managers.

For a franchise to succeed it needs a good idea, a strong and easily-replicated system, creative marketing, and communication and support. With these four elements, a franchise might not have guaranteed success, but it has a good shot at surviving, thriving, and growing into the future.

If you want to learn more about our self-serve frozen yogurt franchise opportunity click here.

About Yogurtini ®, and YHI, Inc:

Created by Tempe, AZ natives and sisters, Natasha Nelson and Chelsey Nelson, Yogurtini® Self-Serve offers up to 16 rotating healthy and fat-free frozen yogurt flavors and over 70 toppings. Yogurtini® only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association. The popularity of Yogurtini® and the brand has been recognized consistently by customers and the press in its native Arizona, where readers recently voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” in 944 Magazine and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine. The Wall Street Journal, Fox Business and numerous other national press outlets have covered the popularity of Yogurtini.

Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through its social networking program including www.facebook.com . Or follow us on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/yogurtini .For more information on Yogurtini® visitwww.yogurtini.com.

YHI, Inc is the franchise development company for Yogurtini, one of the fastest growing self-serve frozen yogurt franchises in the segment. To learn more about being awarded a Yogurtini franchise visit www.yogurtini.com/franchise . Additional Yogurtini franchises are currently under construction and development in Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri and Virginia.

What is the hype on the benefits of yogurt? – Yogurtini self-serve frozen yogurt franchise goes to Web MD to find out

Yogurtini — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:23:43 +0000

WebMD on Frozen Yogurt

I found an interesting article on WebMD about the benefits of yogurt. The same pertains to frozen yogurt.

Yogurtini always strives to have the highest quality and healthiest frozen yogurt on the market. We are proud to say our frozen yogurt exceeds the standards of live and active cultures the National Yogurt Association requires to actually be REAL frozen yogurt. Remember, not all yogurt is created equal.

I’ve posted the article below but to read the entire article go to this link. http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-yogurt

The Benefits of Yogurt

What’s tasty, easy, and has lots of health benefits? Yogurt!

By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-Feature

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Have you noticed that the yogurt section of most grocery stores has practically taken over the dairy aisle? It’s getting harder to find more traditional dairy foods, such as cottage cheese and sour cream, amid the sea of yogurt options. But it only makes sense that a food with as many health benefits as yogurt be given prime real estate in the supermarket.

And just what are the health benefits of yogurt?

First off, your body needs to have a healthy amount of ”good” bacteria in the digestive tract, and many yogurts are made using active, good bacteria. One of the words you’ll be hearing more of in relation to yogurt is ”probiotics.” Probiotic, which literally means ”for life,” refers to living organisms that can result in a health benefit when eaten in adequate amounts.

Miguel Freitas, PhD, medical marketing manager for Dannon Co., says the benefits associated with probiotics are specific to certain strains of these “good” bacteria. Many provide their benefits by adjusting the microflora (the natural balance of organisms) in the intestines, or by acting directly on body functions, such as digestion or immune function. (Keep in mind that the only yogurts that contain probiotics are those that say “live and active cultures” on the label.)

And let us not forget that yogurt comes from milk. So yogurt eaters will also get a dose of animal protein (about 9 grams per 6-ounce serving), plus several other nutrients found in dairy foods, like calcium, vitamin B-2, B-12, potassium, and magnesium.

In fact, the health benefits of yogurt are so impressive that many health-conscious people make it a daily habit. Here are five possible health benefits of having a yogurt a day:

Benefit No. 1: Yogurt May Help Prevent Osteoporosis

”Adequate nutrition plays a major role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and the micronutrients of greatest importance are calcium and vitamin D,” says Jeri Nieves, PhD, MS, director of bone density testing at New York’s Helen Hayes Hospital.

Calcium has been shown to have beneficial effects on bone mass in people of all ages, although the results are not always consistent, says Nieves, also an assistant professor of clinical epidemiology at Columbia University.

”The combination of calcium and vitamin D has a clear skeletal benefit, provided the dose of vitamin D is sufficiently high,” she adds.

And what qualifies as ”sufficiently high?”

Currently, 400 IU per day is considered an adequate intake of vitamin D for people ages 51-70, Nieves says. (Look for the Daily Value amount listed on food labels.) But more may be better.

”This amount is likely to be sufficient for most young adults for skeletal health, although many would argue that for overall health, more than the 400 IU may be required, even at these younger ages,” Nieves said in an email interview.

Nieves believes that older people specifically can benefit from more vitamin D.

Many dairy products, including some yogurts, are made with added vitamin D. Find out which brands have added vitamin D by checking out the table below, and by reading labels when you shop.

Benefit No. 2: Yogurt May Reduce the Risk of High Blood Pressure

A recent study, which followed more than 5,000 Spanish university graduates for about two years, found a link between dairy intake and risk of high blood pressure.

”We observed a 50% reduction in the risk of developing high blood pressure among people eating 2-3 servings of low-fat dairy a day (or more), compared with those without any intake,” Alvaro Alonso, MD, PhD, a researcher in the department of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, said in an email interview.

Although most of the low-fat dairy consumed by the study subjects was as milk, Alvaro believes low-fat yogurt would likely have the same effect.

Benefit No. 3: Yogurt With Active Cultures Helps the Gut

Yogurt with active cultures may help certain gastrointestinal conditions, including:

Lactose intolerance
Constipation
Diarrhea
Colon cancer
Inflammatory bowel disease
H. pylori infection

That’s what researchers from the Jean Mayer U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University concluded in a recent review article.

The benefits are thought to be due to:

Changes in the microflora of the gut
The time food takes to go through the bowel
Enhancement of the body’s immune system

A recent Taiwanese study looked at the effects of yogurt containing lactobacillus and bifidobacterium on 138 people with persistent H. pylori infections.

The researchers found that the yogurt improved the efficacy of four-drug therapy.

H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can cause infection in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine. It can lead to ulcers and can increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.

Benefit No. 4: Yogurt With Active Cultures May Discourage Vaginal Infections

Candida or “yeast” vaginal infections are a common problem for women with diabetes. In a small study, seven diabetic women with chronic Candidal vaginitis consumed 6 ounces of frozen aspartame-sweetened yogurt per day (with or without active cultures).

Even though most of the women had poor blood sugar control throughout the study, the vaginal pH (measure of acidity or basicity) of the group eating yogurt with active cultures dropped from 6.0 to 4.0 (normal pH is 4.0-4.5). These women also reported a decrease in Candida infections. The women eating the yogurt without active cultures remained at pH 6.0.

Benefit No. 5: Yogurt May Help You Feel Fuller

A study from the University of Washington in Seattle tested hunger, fullness, and calories eaten at the next meal on 16 men and 16 women who had a 200-calorie snack. The snack was either:

Semisolid yogurt containing pieces of peach and eaten with a spoon
The same yogurt in drinkable form
A peach-flavored dairy beverage
Peach juice

Although those who had the yogurt snacks did not eat fewer calories at the next meal, both types of yogurt resulted in lower hunger ratings and higher fullness ratings than either of the other snacks.

6. Make Yogurt Part of the Perfect Snack

Make the perfect snack by pairing high-protein yogurt with a high-fiber food like fruit (fresh or frozen) and/or a high-fiber breakfast cereal. You can find many lower-sugar breakfast cereals with 4 or more grams of fiber per serving.

7. Whip Up a Creamier Smoothie With Yogurt

Make your smoothie creamy and thick by adding yogurt instead of ice cream or frozen yogurt. Cup for cup, light and low-fat yogurt is higher in protein and calcium than light ice cream. It’s also usually lower in fat, saturated fat, and calories.

8. Customize Your Yogurt

If you want to create your own flavored yogurt, start with your favorite plain yogurt and stir in all sorts of foods and flavors. Here are a few ideas:

Add chopped strawberries (1/4 cup) and 1/8 teaspoon of vanilla extract to 6 ounces of plain yogurt to make Strawberries and Cream Yogurt.
Add canned crushed pineapple (1/8 cup) and a tablespoon of flaked or shredded coconut to 6 ounces of plain yogurt to make Pina Colada Yogurt.
Add 1 tablespoon of cool espresso or extra-strong coffee and 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup to 6 ounces of plain yogurt to make Mochaccino Yogurt.
Add 1/4 cup chopped orange segments or mandarin oranges and 1 tablespoon reduced-sugar orange marmalade to 6 ounces of plain yogurt to make Orange Burst Yogurt.

9. Eat Yogurt at Work

Buy some yogurt and keep it in the office refrigerator (don’t forget to put your name on it). On those days when you need a morning or afternoon snack, that yogurt will be ready for you.

10. Use Yogurt in Recipes

Yogurt works as a substitute ingredient in all sorts of recipes. Plain yogurt can take the place of sour cream in a pinch (over baked potatoes or garnishing enchiladas). You can also substitute a complementary flavor of yogurt for some of the oil or butter called for in a muffin, brownie, or cake recipe. It can replace all of the fat called for in cake mixes, too.

Published March 7, 2007

About Yogurtini ®, and YHI, Inc:

Created by Tempe, AZ natives and sisters, Natasha and Chelsey Nelson, Yogurtini® Self-Serve offers up to 16 rotating healthy and fat-free frozen yogurt flavors and over 70 toppings. Yogurtini® only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association. The popularity of Yogurtini® and the brand has been recognized consistently by customers and the press in its native Arizona, where readers recently voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” in 944 Magazine and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine. The Wall Street Journal, Fox Business and numerous other national press outlets have covered the popularity of Yogurtini.

YHI, Inc is the franchise development company for Yogurtini. To learn more about being awarded a Yogurtini franchise visit www.yogurtini.com/franchise . Additional Yogurtini franchises are currently under construction and development in Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Kansas Missouri and Virginia.

Yogurtini Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt Franchise Featured in the Wall Street Journal

Yogurtini — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 02:20:16 +0000

Yogurtini is making the news again, this time in the Wall Street Journal!

Yogurt Chains Give Power to the People

By JAIME LEVY PESSIN

A growing number of frozen-yogurt chains are trying a new strategy to keep business hot in a cool economy: do it yourself.

Some new chains—and some of the biggest existing ones—are letting customers portion out their own dessert, add toppings and then pay by the ounce. The idea: Snackers are lured in by the expanded choices the stores offer—and may end up digging deeper than they would otherwise.

“People are doing things on their own that they wouldn’t feel comfortable asking someone behind the counter to do,” says Tim Casey, CEO of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands LLC, parent of industry leader TCBY, which is on target to open nearly 100 self-serve stores this year.

With weight-based pricing, the average self-serve ticket is $6.32, compared with $5.61 at a traditional store, says a TCBY spokeswoman.

Of the 71 frozen-dessert franchises tracked by research firm FRANdata, at least 17 have self-serve options. All of those chains opened in the past five years. For TCBY, the growth in self-serve is coming as traditional shops shut down. The chain closed 33 stores in 2010, and will shut 11 more this year, says Mr. Casey.

Why the new focus? People want the freedom that self-serve brings, he says: “If calories are an issue or budget is an issue, they’re in control.”

Make-your-own also eliminates waiting for employees to handle each order, says Natasha Nelson, co-founder of self-serve chain Yogurtini, of Tempe, Ariz. “The lines are out the door at night, and the lines move quickly,” she says.

What’s more, Yogurtini shops generally need just two employees to cover a shift, keeping labor costs relatively low, Ms. Nelson says.

Do-it-yourself does have drawbacks. For one thing, it can mean higher start-up costs for franchisees. FRANdata estimates the initial investment at about $277,000 to $521,000, compared with about $234,000 to $482,000 for a full-service shop. A large chunk of that comes from yogurt machines. They can can cost $15,000 apiece, and self-serve shops often offer more flavors than traditional stores.

Another major expense is space. With customers moving around the stores to get what they want, self-serve shops need 1,325 to 3,700 square feet, compared with 900 to 1,225 for counter-service models, FRANdata says.

Edith Wiseman, FRANdata’s vice president of client solutions, says sticker shock may end the trend. Snackers love all the choices, she says. But “humans aren’t known for self-control, so after loading up on toppings, the price shocks many consumers.”

Ms. Pessin is a writer in New York. She can be reached at reports@wsj.com.

About Yogurtini ®, and YHI, Inc:

Created by Tempe, AZ natives and sisters, Natasha and Chelsey Nelson, Yogurtini® Self-Serve offers up to 16 rotating healthy and fat-free frozen yogurt flavors and over 70 toppings. Yogurtini® only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association. The popularity of Yogurtini® and the brand has been recognized consistently by customers and the press in its native Arizona, where readers recently voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” in 944 Magazine and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine. Yogurtini® was also nominated for “Best Frozen Yogurt” by The Phoenix New Times. Yogurtini® boasts having some of the most knowledgeable yogurt innovators in the industry. Yogurtini’s top quality, taste, original flavors, and extensive toppings have been praised by the masses. For media inquiries please contact Orange County Public Relations agency,www.nnpublicrelations.com

YOGURTINI ®, PROVEN TO BE KANSAS CITY’S LEADING FROZEN YOGURT FRANCHISE, CELEBRATES ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Yogurtini — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:13:46 +0000

Yogurtini self serve

Tempe, AZ (August 9, 2011) – Yogurtini®, originally established in Tempe, Arizona in 2008, today announces the one year anniversary of the most popular frozen yogurt shop in the Kansas City area. The festivities begin with a contest giveaway for one chosen winner for ONE YEAR OF FREE FROZEN YOGURT! Other prizes included a $50 and $25 gift certificate.

“This anniversary marks a huge milestone for our Kansas City stores. Kansas City has proven to be a market in which the Yogurtini franchise has been very successful,” said Natasha Nelson, co-founder and President of Yogurtini.

Festivities at the Yogurtini Zona Rosa location take place on 8/13/2011 between 2-4pm, Plaza location 5-7pm. You may also register for Free Yogurt for a Year at any of the Kansas City Area locations until Saturday, 8/20/2011. To find the addresses of these locations please visit www.yogurtini.com .

“This is an exciting day for us as franchisees. We couldn’t have expected a better year and want to celebrate with all our loyal customers. Expect an appearance by everyone’s favorite Yogurtiniman and temporary tattoos for the kids,” said Alan Stribling, franchise owner of the Plaza location.

Yogurtini Self Serve is partnering with local charity, Harvesters- The Community Food Network. Non-perishable food items and cash donations will be collected at all locations.

The self-serve frozen yogurt shop has become a sensation with locations in Kansas City, MO, building a devoted following of its non-fat, real yogurt, pay by the ounce model. The serve-yo-self® concept allows customers to make their own frozen yogurt creation, creating blends and concoctions just like a signature martini. Yogurtini® offers a rotating selection of 16 premium flavors and more than 70 toppings daily. Yogurtini® regularly has classic flavors such as Ultimate Chocolate, Classic Vanilla, Chelsey’s Cheesecake, and Peanut Butter, but there is always a surprise for the more adventurous like North Shore Pineapple Tartini, Island Coconut and Blueberry Muffin. The incomparable Yogurtini® “House” Tart, along with a non-dairy and no sugar added frozen yogurt option is always a main stay.

Future Yogurtini Self Serve franchise locations are planned in Blue Springs, Independence and Ozark-Nixa, MO.

About Yogurtini ®, and YHI, Inc:

Created by Tempe, AZ natives and sisters, Natasha and Chelsey Nelson, Yogurtini® Self-Serve offers up to 16 rotating healthy and fat-free frozen yogurt flavors and over 70 toppings. Yogurtini® only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association. The popularity of Yogurtini® and the brand has been recognized consistently by customers and the press in its native Arizona, where readers recently voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” in 944 Magazine and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine. Yogurtini® was also nominated for “Best Frozen Yogurt” by The Phoenix New Times. Yogurtini® boasts having some of the most knowledgeable yogurt innovators in the industry. Yogurtini’s top quality, taste, original flavors, and extensive toppings have been praised by the masses. For media inquiries please contact Orange County Public Relations agency, www.nnpublicrelations.com

Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through its social networking program including www.facebook.com . Or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/yogurtini .For more information on Yogurtini® visit www.yogurtini.com.

GET READY KANSAS, YOGURTINI® SELF-SERVE FROZEN YOGURT FRANCHISE READY TO MAKE ITS DEBUT IN OVERLAND PARK, DERBY AND SALINA

Yogurtini — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 20:27:25 +0000

Yogurtini self-serve frozen yogurt comes to Kansas

Thanks to Reuters for picking up our release on our new grand openings. Click here or see below for details on what is new with Yogurtini in the state of Kansas.

Tempe, AZ (Mar. 11, 2011) – Yogurtini® and YHI, Inc, a national and quickly growing self-serve frozen yogurt franchise originally established in Tempe, Arizona in 2008, announced today the migration of its popular serve-yo-self® concept to Kansas.

“We have had an amazing and wonderful response to the Yogurtini concept at our Midwest franchises in Missouri. The demand in Kansas has been overwhelming and we are excited to be entering this new market,” said Perry Kessler, CEO of YHI, Inc. (Yogurtini). “The love for the product, concept and experience at Yogurtini has been what I believe has made us so popular and in demand across the country,” he continued.

Yogurtini will be opening in early April in Overland Park at the intersection of 119^th and Metcalf next to 24 Hour Fitness and Five Guys Burgers. The Derby shop will be located next to the Rock River Water Park and will be announcing its opening date soon as well as the Salina location.

The self-serve frozen yogurt shop has become a sensation with locations in Tempe, Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona and three locations in Kansas City, MO, building a devoted following of its non-fat, real yogurt, pay by the ounce model. The serve-yo-self® concept allows customers to make their own frozen yogurt creation, creating blends and concoctions just like a signature martini or favorite cocktail. At Yogurtini, Flavortini recipes are created by mixing an array of frozen yogurts and toppings like the famous “Extra Dirty”, “Scouts Honor” and “The Peanut Butter and Jelly” are a favorite among their loyal following. Current new spring flavors rotating at the grand openings will be “Carrot Cake” and “Kiss Me I’m Irish Mint.”

About Yogurtini, and YHI, Inc ®:

Created by Tempe, AZ natives and sisters, Natasha and Chelsey Nelson, Yogurtini® Self-Serve offers up to 16 rotating healthy and fat-free frozen yogurt flavors and up to 75 toppings. Yogurtini® only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association. The popularity of Yogurtini® and the brand has been recognized consistently by customers and the national press including Fox Business, MARCH Magazine, the Arizona Republic, 944 Magazine where readers recently voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine. Yogurtini® was also nominated for “Best Frozen Yogurt” by The Phoenix New Times. Yogurtini® boasts having some of the most knowledgeable yogurt innovators in the industry. Yogurtini®’s top quality, taste, original flavors, and extensive toppings have been praised by the masses.

YHI, the franchising company for Yogurtini® began franchising in 2009. The popularity of the brand and the business opportunity has Yogurtini franchise grand openings planned across the country at an astounding rate. The company currently has over 25 locations under agreement and construction.

For more information on the Yogurtini® self-serve frozen yogurt franchise opportunity please visit: http://www.yogurtini.com/franchise/ . Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through social networking. http://www.facebook.com/Yogurtini, http://www.myspace.com/yogurtini or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/yogurtini.