It’s not an illusion. That shop that just opened in town Grand Opening January 6) really is offering delicious and healthy self-serve frozen yogurt with 100 flavors and an incredible assortment of toppings.
That colorful store is the new YoFresh Yogurt Café located at Imperial Center at the crossroads of Chapel Hill Rd. (Hwy. 54) and Page Rd., a half-mile from Rte. 40 (5410 Page Rd.) in Durham (NC).
Owners Jim and Jodi Rychick, residents of Morrisville, say their funky shop will quickly become a ‘hot’ destination for cool, healthy snacks or meals at any time of day.
“There are so many flavor and topping combinations, each of Durham’s 239,000 residents could create their own yogurt masterpiece without repeating the same one,” smiles Jim Rychick, “Maybe someone who works at nearby Research Triangle Park can do the math.” The shop is on the border of Wake and Durham Counties.
The popularity of yogurt has grown due to its healthful attributes and celebrities who endorse it as part of their regular diet. Popular TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz regularly extols the virtues of yogurt which he calls his “#1 super snack.” On her website, Oprah Winfrey promotes yogurt as a favorite breakfast food that “energizes and revives,” calling it one of her favorite “brain foods.” Yogurt is rich in protein, calcium, riboflavin, vitamins B6 and B12. Its active cultures may discourage some infections and may help one to feel fuller.
Jody Rychick, says, “A couple of years ago we were visiting my daughter in Charlotte, NC, and she said that we had to try out this frozen yogurt place. We did and loved it and we said some day we are going to own one of these places. We love the taste and the health benefits of the yogurt and the whole self-serve concept. Because of all the different flavors and toppings, the atmosphere in a frozen yogurt café compares to being like a kid in a candy store. We love the opportunity of working together, to be entrepreneurs in a business where we can be close to our kids and hopefully one day include them in our business.”
Repeat customers are a key to success and there are many things that set YoFresh apart and keep bringing customers back for more: There are over 100 flavors of all natural frozen yogurts including low fat, fat-free and sugar-free. The menu offers organic smoothies, frozen yogurt and pastries.”
Customers dispense their own frozen yogurt, scooping as much as they like, then choose from a variety of toppings including fruits, nuts, sprinkles, cereals, candies and sauces. Using YoFresh’s ‘Weigh & Pay’ formula, customers pay by the ounce. Since there are so many choices and combinations – YoFresh calls it ‘lots’o toppings.’ “There’s no need to visit the YoFresh website prior to your visit so you won’t slow down the ordering line,” jokes Jodi.
The YoFresh staff is happy to instruct customers on the art of designing their own yogurt creation. The flavor offerings change and may be different on each visit, ranging from red velvet to cheesecake, salted caramel, sweet coconut, mango sorbet, etc., so return visits are needed. Ask the staff for a free flavor tasting cup before ordering.
The Rychicks are relatively new to the area. Their daughter is a freshman in high school so they plan on getting involved with school fundraisers and other community projects.
YoFresh founder and CEO Chris Gregoris based in Boston says, ““We are delighted to welcome the Rychicks to the YoFresh family which is on a dramatic growth curve,” says Gregoris. “We now have about 23 stores in 10 states. Another 40 or so are in various stages of launching and new territories are available. We welcome inquiries from interested entrepreneurs interested in getting into the resurgent frozen yogurt industry.”
YoFresh Yogurt Café welcomes inquiries from prospective franchisees. For more information, visit www.yofreshyogurtcafe.com or email: chris@yofreshyogurtcafe.com.
Location: YoFresh Yogurt Café, Imperial Center at the crossroads of Chapel Hill Rd. (Hwy. 54) and Page Rd. (# 5410 Page Rd.), a half-mile from Rte. 40, Durham (NC).
Store hours are 11:00 am – 9pm — 7 days week, (814) 598-0101, jodinc@yofreshyogurtcafe.com, Facebook – www.facebook.com/YofreshYogurtCafeDurham.
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