Greek frozen yogurt is having a moment again — and this time, the momentum feels more global and more durable than the early 2010s froyo boom. Over the past few years, a new wave of Greek-style frozen yogurt shops has emerged across South America, Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, with early signs of renewed interest in North America as well. What’s driving this resurgence, where is the surge taking place, and which brands are shaping the movement?
Pop-up shops have recently become a popular strategy for frozen yogurt brands to create buzz, test markets, and engage with customers in unique ways. These temporary stores are thriving, offering brands a chance to showcase their products in high-traffic areas and adapt to local tastes. Brands are using pop-up stores to host events, offer free gifts and coupons, and create Instagrammable moments to boost brand awareness. This approach works particularly well with younger demographics who value novelty and exclusivity.
January was a slower month for froyo shop openings. We found 38 new froyo shops in 16 countries. There was a three-way tie for the country with the most openings. The United States, Philippines, and South Korea had four new openings a piece.
In November, we found 50 new froyo shops in 20 countries, compared to 74 new froyo shops in 23 countries in October. The most openings occurred in the US and Australia, with eight a piece, followed by Indonesia with seven. Sour Sally in Indonesia had the most openings with four, followed by South Korea’s Yogurt World with three. Llaollao only opened one new shop in November.
In October, we found 73 new froyo shops in 23 countries, compared to 53 new froyo shops in 16 countries in September. The most openings occurred in the Philippines again, with twelve, followed by Indonesia with nine, and the United States and Malaysia with seven each.
New yogurt ice cream stores are opening in South Korea and attracting younger consumers, led by Yoajung and Yogurt World. Yoajung was founded in 2020 and was recently acquired by Samhwa (Food Products) in July 2024. Both brands emphasize the healthiness of their offerings and both are counter-serve. Both are growing rapidly.
In August, we found 60 new froyo shops in 18 countries, compared to 57 new froyo shops in 21 countries in July. While the Philippines had the most froyo shop openings in July, Indonesia had the most openings in August, with twelve. Malaysia added eight new froyo shops in August, taking 2nd place, followed by the Philippines with seven.
June was another busy month for froyo shop openings. We found 67 new froyo shops (and a few trailers) in 20 countries in June, compared to 73 openings in 24 countries in May. The most openings occurred in the United States, with eighteen, with the Philippines in second place with eleven openings, and South Korea and Indonesia tying for third place with six openings a piece. The Philippines had the most openings in May.
Croissants have been used as cones at Heavenly Yogurt in San Diego (Cro-Yo), and flat versions are offered as froyo toppings at Yogurt World in South Korea. Froyo Heaven in Lebanon uses a chocolate croissant as a base for the Em Ali Soft Serve. The croissant is paired with sweet milk, pistachio flakes, shaved almonds, and soft serve froyo. And Yonique Froyo offers croissant cones topped with froyo and sauce at the Sunway Centre branch in Brunei.
We can’t have a post about creative froyo flavors without sharing our list of creative froyo toppings. We tried to keep this list limited to new toppings offered since our last creative froyo toppings post in March 2023. This year we found so many interesting toppings, including two that are very popular right now in South Korea: tanghulu and flat croissants. Six countries are represented on our creative froyo toppings list.
