The State of Froyo and the Froyo Association Today
Eleven years ago, we launched the International Frozen Yogurt Association to promote the quality and success of the worldwide frozen yogurt industry. We are proud to be an unbiased source of support and information for current and prospective frozen yogurt store operators.
Today, our association has over 3,200 members in 135 countries. Sixty-eight percent of our members are in the United States. Of our members, 42% are froyo shop owners or employees, 23% prospective froyo shop owners, 15% froyo fans, 11% other, and 8% suppliers.
Our anniversary is also the perfect time for a mid-year check-in for the frozen yogurt industry. The good news is that the number of frozen yogurt shops worldwide is steadily increasing. We found 346 new froyo shops that opened in the first half of the year (i.e., January – June 2024), compared to 307 new shops for the same period in 2023. This represents an increase of 12.7%. The Philippines had the most froyo shop openings out of all countries this year.
We could not find the most recent IBIS World report for frozen yogurt stores. They’ve combined frozen yogurt stores into a report for Dessert Stores in the US. Frozen yogurt stores are now just a segment of dessert stores. Dessert stores include ice cream, soft serve, doughnuts, cookies, frozen yogurt, and other stores. They estimate a 3.3% increase in revenues and a 4.1% increase in businesses for dessert stores in the US from 2024-2029.
Worldwide interest in frozen yogurt as measured by search traffic on Google over the last five years, peaked in late July 2019 at 100 (100 represents peak popularity during the chosen time frame), declined to 78 in July 2020 (during the pandemic), bounced back to 92 in July 2021, fell to 72 in July 2022, and went up slightly to 76 in July 2023. Unfortunately, search interest in frozen yogurt has been declining over time, with the exception of 2021, when people were venturing out again and looking for froyo shops.
However, it is important to consider regional differences. In Australia, interest in frozen yogurt peaks in January, during the summer, which occurs from December – February. Interest there is currently at the highest level in five years. In the Philippines, search interest in the past five years peaked in August 2023.
The story was different in the United States, which also showed the seasonal pattern of interest. However, the five-year peak occurred in April 2021, which is highly unusual. In July 2019, interest was at 79, declining to 58 in July 2020, increasing to 74 in July 2021, declining to 62 in July 2022, and slightly increasing to 64 in July 2023. It was in April 2021 that COVID-19 restrictions for restaurants were relaxed.
Looking at worldwide search traffic for frozen yogurt over the last 12 months (i.e., June 2023 – June 2024), the top five regions were 1. United States, 2. Australia, 3. Kuwait, 4. Canada, 5. Israel. Kuwait and Israel are new to the top five. Last year, the countries in order of search interest were 1. United States, 2. Canada, 3. Australia, 4. Lebanon, 5. New Zealand. Google adjusts for differences in the population size of countries by using the proportion of all search queries rather than looking at the absolute query count.
Winner of the What Froyo Flavor Are You? Contest
We continued our tradition of sponsoring a summer froyo contest. This year, we asked froyo fans to tell us what froyo flavor best represented them and why. Congratulations to @626.sad_girl.claire for winning a Yogurtland gift card, Yogurtland x PAC-MAN cap, and a sample pack of 20 flavors from Yum Crumbs.
Final Thoughts
We will continue to track frozen yogurt news and trends, offer original research (National Frozen Yogurt Survey), and provide advice, tools, resources, and ideas. Our members also enjoy access to special offers and members-only savings, including discounts on frozen yogurt mix, frozen yogurt machines, toppings dispensers, payment processing, insurance, and HR/payroll services.
Thank you to our members, sponsors, partners, and supporters. We wouldn’t be here without you. Remember that you can help support us by supporting our corporate sponsors, partners, and advertisers when you’re looking for frozen yogurt supplies and by telling others about the frozen yogurt association.
Long live froyo!
Susan Linton
President, International Frozen Yogurt Association
