It’s been a crazy spring and summer for frozen yogurt shops, thanks to the coronavirus. Business hasn’t gone back to normal with much of the country still under some type of restriction. Many froyo shops are not offering samples or self-serve froyo for public health reasons (to minimize contact), making it difficult to offer new flavors. Some of the flavor introductions that were scheduled for spring were pushed back to summer.
New summer flavors
- 16 Handles, Vegan Black Raspberry made with oat milk
- Honey Hill Farms: Brownie Batter gelato
- Menchie’s: Mint Chocolate Chip with Almond Butter (vegan), Café Mocha froyo, HI-CHEW Mango froyo, HI-CHEW Passion Fruit froyo
- Orange Leaf: Vanilla Frosting froyo, Confetti Cupcake froyo, Dairy-Free Cherry, Dairy-Free Lime, Dairy-Free Blue Raspberry
- Pinkberry: Watermelon Lime froyo
- Pinkberry Nigeria: Banana Caramel froyo
- sweetFrog: Kidz Bop Cookie Remix froyo
- Yoga-urt: Rocky Road vegan froyo
- Yogen Fruz: Vegan Blue Tropics ü sensation: Spirulina, kiwi, pineapple, and shredded coconut, Vegan Dragon Fruit Lemonade ü sensation: Dragon fruit, fresh lemon juice and fresh strawberries.
- Yogurtland Orange Blossom White Peach light ice cream
In contrast, last summer, Menchie’s introduced 9 new flavors (vs. 4 in 2020) and Yogurtland four (vs. 1 in 2020). Orange Leaf was an exception this year, with five new summer flavors compared to 1 last year. Two of the new flavors were created to celebrate Orange Leaf’s 10th anniversary and the other three were inspired by July 4th. Swirled together, the three non-dairy flavors become Rocket Pop sorbet.
As in previous summers, fruit flavors, sorbets and milk alternatives were popular. The indulgent side of summer was also represented with ever popular chocolate and coffee flavors. Bright colors of froyo and soft serve are also popular now.
While we understandably did not see many new flavor introductions this summer, we did observe an uptick in contests, loyalty program perks, donations to essential workers and causes like Black Lives Matter, and Christmas in July promotions.
