Cafe Cartel Systems News

So, after working with almost a thousand self serve frozen yogurt locations that have opened after the past 3 years. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 locations to open your business. This is also good general knowledge for anyone looking to open a retail location.

Number 1 is really a cheat. There is a golden rule, it’s repetitive, it’s the entire point of this series. Location Location Location.

But how do we drill that into your head? How do we force you to re-evaluate what you thought was awesome? There’s some ways to look at location, that we I have learned, that will help you do this evaluation. This isn’t to say you don’t have a great location, this is just some methods of looking at what you are about to choose, or have chosen.

Part A: What is the concentration of competition? If there is competition. Can you move your store to a place where there isn’t any?

What I have seen with so many locations opening across the US and other countries is this: there are those who were ‘lucky’; example: they opened the first store in Iowa, their store succeeded. There are those too, who opened a great store in Florida… and it didn’t.

Why? One primary answer: Because Florida is saturated with frozen yogurt, saturated with competition.

So the question is. Are you opening your store because it’s in your backyard? If you are, take yourself outside of the box. Even think of immigrants, who move far far from home to make a better life. They make an investment in their surroundings. Is this something you can do? Can you move to another city, or state. What is the value of this?

What’s the difference? One State can’t make that much more! Can it?

Stores can make from 25-200,000 per month. If you could move and in doing so, you were on the higher end of the curve. It could change your business life forever.

Don’t take my word for it. The result can amaze you. Look at the sales of locations outside the concentrated areas of your industry. See the outpouring of customers. You get 6 months-to 2 years of this if you do it right. That can be enough to help pay back your business and get you stable. After that, you are back to competition and it’s business as usual. But in doing so, you changed your landscape, met new people, had new experiences and got a new business flourishing.

Subscribe to see this blogs continuation. Tell us your story!

Pinky’s Cupcakery has been open since December 2011 in Huntington Beach, CA. The family owned business, i.e. the ‘Parker Couple’ has been using our popular Altera 3400S. They are dedicated to creating a unique experience.

www.pinkyscupcakery.com

Not just a bakery, they bring new concepts on a regular basis. They highlight the concept of “Experience Based dessert shops,” their goal and number of hosted activities revolve around “Let’s have FUN!!”

Cupcake Wars

 Follow the rules of engagement

Of course every war has it’s victims, so make sure you follow their rules of engagement, posted on their site. Pinky’s excels in their interactive experience by hosting battles; ages 3 and up.

No, it’s not a food flight. They host competitions among their customers to create the “Cupcake of the Month.” For $9.99 you and any number of people (minimum 2 people) can compete to make the most delicious and creative batch of 6 cupcakes. The best 3 of the month come back in to compete again for the Cupcake of the Month. The best part is they provide all the batter (in the flavor of your choice) and toppings to make an amazing treat.

That’s not the only way you can get your creative juices flowing, Pinky’s will also host parties (in their party room) where everyone in your party can bake and create cupcakes together. They make the place fun and affordable Pinky’s Cupcakery.

See all the fun they are having on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pinkyscupcakery

Memories & Social Cake Batter

Not only do you get delicious treats, but you also get a memory and a unique way to cook with friends and/or family. Pinky’s Cupcakery is also dedicated to supporting the community. This last March they created a deal to give back to the local Girl Scout troop at a fundraiser and they are proud supporters of the OC Roller Girls.

We have been proud to provide them a point of sale system. They are one of the success stories of 2011-2012. And we look forward to working with them for the next store.

Yolly Molly Café just opened their second location and when we asked them about their business we were not surprised to find  they are doing so many great things, which is why we had to share. Yolly Molly Café. They have two locations, Fairfax, VA and Baltimore, MD using the Vanilla Altera 3400S.

Since they opened, Yolly Molly Café has been dedicated to providing certified real dairy and live and active cultured frozen Yogurt (Not Live Action Frozen Yogurt). Their motto is no powders, no mixing. Their real dairy frozen yogurt is tested by TWO independent laboratories to ensure that they provide what they advertise.

Yolly Molly – Providing the Freshest Other 2 Percent

In keeping with locations that are seasonal ,  Yolly Molly Café  also provide freshly brewed coffee and fruit smoothies along side of the Frozen Yogurt. This keeps them open in the Frozen Yogurt off seasons.

They keep active in their community. They’ve had hosted a fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association and The Kids First Foundation.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yolly-Molly-Cafe/166762333372820

We look forward to seeing what they’ll do next, congratulations on all the great service and good luck!

Yolly Molly

12164 Fairfax Towne Center  Fairfax, VA 22033
(703) 272-7007

Cafe Zojo  became operational at the H.A.L. plant in Urbana, Illinois on the 12th of January 1992.  Okay, not really. But the place takes on the future, far better than realized in the movies. It’s not long drawn out and in the end you aren’t sure what happened.

Zojo’s offerings of Vegan food, high quality Direct Trade Coffee, awesome atmosphere, and cool people (trust us, we know them) make for a perfect place to go when you live in or are traveling to Urbana Illinois. Sure it’s a small town, but if you happen to live there Cafe Zojo makes it one more reason you do.

If you have no idea what we are talking about, then check them out on their facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/CafeZojo

2740 S. Philo Rd. Suite D, Urbana, IL 618021 (217) 328-9656

Not just a mysterious sound in the middle of the pacific, Bloop is now a fast growing and social conscious franchise of Frozen Yogurt Stores.

Promoting their efforts in Africa, the “Cup 4 A Cup” project as much as their franchise, they seek to impact communities outside of their bubble of yogurt in an encouraging and positive way. Their charity donates 1 cup of water for each cup of frozen yogurt.

Find out more at http://www.bloopfrozenyogurt.com/a-cup-4-a-cup/

They have not just brought a team to bring open another yogurt store, but have brought a team that impacts their community as a positive and well liked business. Additionally they have a technology aspect as well. With their rapid growth and the positive response from their community – as seen in Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BloopFrozenYogurt, we expect great things out of Bloop Frozen Yogurt.