By now, thereโs probably not much I can tell you about self-serve frozen yogurt places. They pretty much all have similar flavors, similar toppings and similar brightly-colored dรฉcor.
So, what is that sets Menchieโs Frozen Yogurt โ now open for several months in the same outparcel building that also includes the new Irish 31 at the Shops at Wiregrass mall โ apart from its competition?
Based on my experience with first-time franchise owners Sheilla and Leroy Lee, two U.S. Army veterans (she spent four years in the service; he has more than 20 years in the Army and retired as a Sergeant Major, the highest rank for a non-commissioned soldier), itโs the people.
Theyโre both warm and friendly and Sheilla, who is usually on-site at the store, is proud to call the Wesley Chapel Menchieโs a family-run business. Teenage daughters Tamara (photo) and Tiffany both work at the store, although Tamara was getting ready to head of to school at the University of Central Florida in Orlando as we went to press.
โWe knew we wanted to buy a franchise and we did our research,โ Sheilla says. โEven though we both originally wanted different types of businesses, we agreed that Menchieโs was an outstanding, growing franchise (now the largest frozen yogurt franchise in the U.S., with more than 500 stores worldwide and about 70 in Florida) with a built-in audience,โ as Menchies.com says that more than 90 percent of households in the U.S. indulge in frozen desserts.
And, a truly delicious frozen dessert it is, with a dozen constantly-changing flavors that include everything from the most popular toasty marshmallow to no-sugar-added peanut butter and from name-brand favorites like chocolate caramel biscuit, made with real Twix bars, and Dole pineapple sorbet, to New York cheesecake and โJumpinโ Java Lattรฉ.โ
โWe rotate the flavors in the store every two to three weeks and receive two new flavors every month,โ Sheilla says. โWe already have quite a few regulars who look forward to the new releases, like the new piรฑa colada sorbet that came out earlier in August. Our customers really seem to love the product.โ
And yes, it is a healthy option, with probiotic cultures that aid digestion, plus gluten-free, vegan, and no high fructose corn syrup options. Menchieโs also strives to use natural flavors including real cake, cookies, spices, fruits and nuts. The entire line of frozen yogurt is certified Kosher and is awarded the live and active culture seal by the National Yogurt Association.
But, what I love most at Menchieโs may not be the healthiest thing about it, because the toppings rock my world. With everything from chocolate fudge and liquid marshmallow toppings to ground Kit-Kat and Reeseโs candy bars, gummy worms and oh yeah, fresh strawberries and pineapple, Iโm definitely a fan of the toppings at Menchieโs.
Thereโs also a great variety of pre-made and custom-made froyo cakes, quarts and pints of different Menchieโs flavors in the storeโs freezer, plus Menchieโs โmerchโ like T-shirts, cute swirl-headed dolls, kickballs emblazoned with the franchiseโs logo and even tie-ins to major motion pictures, like the new โEmoji Movieโ cups and spoons.
At only 56 cents an ounce, itโs certainly an affordable indulgence, too. And, with its ideal location between Irish 31 and Noble Crust at the mall, itโs sure to become an even bigger favorite, especially with the buy-one, get-one-half-off coupon from the ad on pg. 38 of this issue. Speaking of savings, youโll get another coupon for 20-percent off your next purchase when you donate a dollar to the American Heart Assn. at Menchieโs.
Great yogurt, even better toppings and people and super savings? You owe it to yourself to try Menchieโs today!
Menchieโs is located at 28356 Willet Way. For more info, call (813) 991-0365, search โMenchiesShopsatWiregrassโ on Facebook or visit Menchies.com.ย