CHICAGO, Aug. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Everything seems to be turning up Peaches and Cream for the frozen yogurt industry leader, TCBY. Having already exceeded 2012 franchise growth expectations thanks to its new self serve frozen yogurt operating model, TCBY is now focusing on key markets across the US for continued growth and the Chicagoland area has been identified as a priority market for continued expansion. In addition to its exciting new store design, TCBY continues to lead the frozen yogurt industry by delivering first to market innovations, including Greek Fro-Yo and its previous launch of Super Fro-Yo which was recognized by Prepared Foods Media for its “Excellence in Innovation” award.

“It’s such a refreshing time to be part of TCBY,” explains Tim Casey, CEO of TCBY. “We have been hard charging, but thoughtful in our growth, product development, marketing and franchise support in the last eighteen months and have garnered the type of momentum this brand deserves.”

Continued Growth in the Chicago Market

While TCBY has no plans to move away from national or international growth, its local market strategy offers a more exhaustive, strategic approach to growth that should yield higher store concentration in key markets, which the company believes is good for its franchisees. Today, TCBY is announcing that it has set its sights on the Chicagoland area, where it looks to grow the market by 25 stores in the next three to five years. TCBY has already opened six new self serve stores in the area and has an additional three stores in development. Chicago is an important market for TCBY due to the number of stores already open and in development, the relatively wide open nature of the market and it being the home to one of its key investors, Z Capital. Additionally, Chicago has a high concentration of Mrs. Fields Cookies stores, TCBY’s sister company, and has long been an important market for Famous Brands International, the parent company of TCBY.

Adds Casey, “We see Chicago as one of a number of strategic growth markets for franchise development. To date, consumer adoption and enthusiasm for self-serve has exceeded our expectations and new and existing franchise interest has run parallel with that excitement. Package that with what we have invested into the food science of our fro-yo, giving our R&D team the chance to distance itself from the category with innovations like the healthiest frozen yogurt in the market place, Super Fro-Yo, and the first to market Greek frozen yogurt, and it’s paying dividends for our brand and our partners.”

TCBY Franchise Open House

To introduce potential franchisees to the new TCBY frozen yogurt franchise model, the company will host an open house at its newest Chicago area location at 6300 Robert Kingery Highway in Willowbrook, IL on Saturday, September 1, 2012. Anyone interested in learning more about TCBY franchise opportunities is welcome to join TCBY executives and Colleen Pushic, the newest TCBY franchise owner, to learn about TCBY growth plans for the Chicago market. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon. To RSVP for the event, email pcorreale@mrsfields.com.

About TCBY

Based in Salt Lake City, TCBY, The Country’s Best Yogurt has been a frozen yogurt innovator from the day its first shop opened in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1981. Ever since, the great-tasting, low-fat frozen yogurt concept has received an enthusiastic response from an increasingly health-conscious public. TCBY boasts the industry’s healthiest traditional frozen yogurt choice, Super Fro-Yo, as well as the industry’s only Greek frozen yogurt option. With more than 550 locations in the United States and internationally, TCBY has long been a healthier alternative for consumers looking for a treat or snack. To learn more check out www.TCBY.com.

SOURCE TCBY