Yogurtland, the ever-popular self-serve frozen yogurt brand that opened its first location in February 2006, begins a year of celebrations and community giving to commemorate its 10th anniversary.
On January 11, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Yogurtland hosted dignitaries, franchisees and partners for a 10th Anniversary luncheon, while calling attention to the global crisis of human trafficking.
Yogurtland founders, Phillip and Michelle Chang also announce plans to donate a portion of the company’s revenue to organizations that rescue and rehabilitate victims of human trafficking. Yogurtland will kick off this program with a donation to Exodus Cry, a non-profit that works in the areas of prevention, intervention and holistic restoration of sex trafficking victims in the United States and around the world.
In 2006, Phillip and Michelle Chang opened the first Yogurtland in Fullerton, Calif., and the brand quickly became a sensation while establishing the industry standard for high quality and satisfying consumer desire for a self-service treat. Yogurtland began franchising in 2007, offering entrepreneurs an opportunity to build their own businesses, and in 2014 was named the top frozen yogurt franchise value for investors by Franchise Navigator. Now, there are more than 320 Yogurtland locations across 17 states and in five countries including Australia, Dubai, Guam, Thailand and Venezuela.
Giving back to the communities it serves has been an integral part of Yogurtland’s operating values since its inception ten years ago. Yogurtland locations support schools, children’s hospitals, fire and police departments, and other non-profits in a variety of ways.
“Supporting the community is something we try to do quietly, but now more than ever, all of our voices are needed to help end human trafficking,” said Phillip Chang, who serves as CEO of Yogurtland and whose wife Michelle drives the marketing vision for the business.
Following a visit to Thailand, the Chang’s became passionately involved in the plight of human trafficking victims, particularly women and children. Being grateful for the opportunity afforded them in the United States, the Chang’s have committed personal and professional resources to helping others.
Phillip Chang immigrated to the United States 30 years ago from Korea. He received his undergraduate degree in computer science/math at So-Gang University in South Korea, and began his career in information technology. Michelle came to the U.S. from Korea at age 15, and graduated from CSU, Long Beach where she studied art. The couple married in 1994, and shortly thereafter Phillip started his own IT consulting business.
This ignited his entrepreneurial interest, and he opened his first retail business specializing in teas and boba in 2001. Several years later, he expanded the concept to frozen yogurt and added a topping bar, giving guests the opportunity to create and customize their own frozen yogurt treat. He renamed the shop Yogurtland, and before long, people were coming from miles away to sample the delicious yogurt and build a delicious creation.
Yogurtland has reshaped the popular frozen yogurt trend into a growing business by redefining dessert and delivering the ultimate culinary experience.
Phillip was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014, and INC. Magazine named the brand to its Inc. 5000 list last year, becoming the first frozen yogurt brand to make the company’s prestigious list of growth companies.
Separating Yogurtland from competitors is the company’s team of flavorologists who develop the proprietary recipes for the brand’s more than 250 different and customized flavors that are produced in the company’s own dairy plant in Paramount, Calif. Whether traditional or exotic, each flavor uses real ingredients sourced from their original locations. By controlling the entire frozen yogurt making process, Yogurtland has raised the standards for flavors and quality to new heights much to the delight of millions of fans.
Naturally occurring calcium makes Yogurtland yogurt a healthful, refreshing treat. Fruit flavors are also fortified with Vitamin C. All of Yogurtland’s flavors meet the National Yogurt Association Criteria for “live and active culture frozen yogurt” and are produced in a kosher-certified facility. Yogurtland features non- and low-fat yogurt flavors as well as gluten-free, non-dairy and no sugar added choices.
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