Eight years ago, we launched the International Frozen Yogurt Association to promote the quality and success of the worldwide frozen yogurt industry. The coronavirus pandemic was brutal for most restaurants, including froyo shops. Indeed, with most shops forced to discontinue self-serve froyo, the pandemic was particularly tough on froyo. But the situation has improved and self-serve is back.
Our Association Has Over 2,700 Members
As of July 11, 2021, we have 2,731 members (vs. 2,600 a year ago). Of the current members, 42% indicated that they were current froyo shop owners or employees, 23% prospective froyo shop owners, 15% frozen yogurt fans, 11% other, and 9% suppliers. Members come from 130 countries, with 70% from the US.
Our website and membership numbers took a hit when the pandemic struck and they’re not back to pre-COVID levels. Fewer froyo shops are opening and fewer froyo shops are in business. However, our passion for froyo and commitment to helping current and prospective froyo shop owners remains. We will continue to track news and trends, offer original research (the National Frozen Yogurt Survey), and offer advice, tools, resources, and ideas.
Remember that our members can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on essentials for their frozen yogurt shops. These exclusive member discounts include frozen yogurt mix, frozen yogurt machines, toppings dispensers, payment processing, insurance, and HR/payroll services.
The State of Froyo Today
The US frozen yogurt stores market size, as measured by revenues, has been declining for several years. The pandemic worsened the decline. IBISWorld reports that the market size of US frozen yogurt stores in 2021 was $802.5 million (compared to $826.1 million in 2020). Also, the market size of the US frozen yogurt stores industry declined 7.9% per year on average between 2016-2021. This decline is faster than the decline of the economy and the consumer goods and services sector. Keep in mind that these numbers do not include other establishments that serve frozen yogurt but are not considered frozen yogurt stores, automated kiosks, or frozen yogurt sold in grocery stores.
Frozen yogurt franchise growth has also been declining in the US and beyond. Leading frozen yogurt franchises are focusing on existing locations, improving technology (e.g., online ordering), investing in delivery/pick-up options, as well as using new products (non-dairy, plant-based soft serve demand continues to grow) and promotions to drive traffic. Growth is still occurring in some countries such as Ecuador, Mexico, and Colombia.
Looking at Google Search trends, worldwide interest in frozen yogurt over the last five years peaked in late June 2017. The pattern of interest is clearly seasonal, with local peaks every year in June and July and declines during the winter months. Since 2017, interest in frozen yogurt declined gradually in 2018 and 2019 and more dramatically in March and April 2020, when many froyo shops were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. For example, the 2020 peak in June 2020 was 30% lower than the peak in June 2017. Interest has picked up since then as the weather has warmed and froyo shops have reopened. The search volumes in March 2021 were higher than March 2020 but remain much lower than the levels seen in 2017 and earlier. The same was true for US search volumes only those show a stronger recovery in 2021.
Our Summer Froyo Creation Contest
We continued our tradition of having an anniversary contest with our Summer Froyo Photo Contest. We invited froyo fans to share their summer froyo creation pics. Congrats to our two winners, @ZeldaZonk13 and @_dashthedachshund. Our winners received a prize package of Forty Carrots froyo and toppings delivered to their homes.
As we take a look back at our past, we’d like to thank everyone that has supported us over the years, including 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.
Warmest Regards,
Susan Linton
President, International Frozen Yogurt Association
