For decades ice cream has dominated the frozen treat market and, for the most part, it continues to do so. However, over the past five years, an interesting trend has emerged in the ice cream industry, creating a demand that has come to be filled by a revival of frozen yogurt, or “Froyo.”
Ice cream has been a mainstay in this country for decades, slowly expanding from partnered sales in other establishments to stand-alone franchises like Baskin-Robbins, which is perhaps the most recognizable, national ice cream chain. Now, it’s no surprise that Americans love instant gratification. To satisfy that demand, ice cream companies have really hit their stride in grocery stores. Think about it. For the most part, if you want ice cream you’re bound to find a better value and selection in the freezer aisle of the local Kroger or Publix, not to mention the gas you save walking to your kitchen for ice cream as opposed to driving to the local sweet shop.
Despite that whole argument I just made for our love of convenience, I would assert that even more so we love freedom of choice, and this is precisely how the present “froyo mania” came to be. As ice cream companies retreated into the supermarket enclave, the social experience of gathering at the local ice cream shop for a double dip largely disappeared from the equation. Frozen yogurt is nothing new to Americans, but what, you may ask, has led to its rapid growth? I would argue that it is due to three primary factors: the social experience, autonomy and a rise in health-conscious alternatives.
Froyo attracts all ages but has seen substantial business from younger individuals, particularly those who value a social experience with their friends. froyo is simply the medium for that much-desired experience. In terms of customer autonomy, froyo centers on interacting directly with the product, with precise control over how much you’d like and how many flavors, as well as the type and number of toppings, if any.
“It gives customers multiple choices and the chance to get exactly what they want for a fair price,” said Joel Barber, an employee of Menchie’s a frozen yogurt shop.
Frozen yogurt also has several health advantages over ice cream, including less sugar and dairy fat. According to the local Menchie’s, in addition to the presence of live cultures, bacteria inherent to the fermentation process that makes the yogurt are also key to a healthy digestive system. They can increase your metabolism and provides protein. According to a buzzle.com article comparing ice cream and froyo, “a great amount of sugar is added in frozen yogurt” over that of traditional yogurt, but the health benefits still outweigh ice cream, marginally. In addition, there are typically a variety of healthy, real fruit toppings to indulge in alongside the array of candy and cookie toppings, giving customers the ability to easily control price, portion and level of guilty indulgence.
So, is froyo better than ice cream? That is obviously a matter of opinion, but this trend seems to be so popular because it clearly taps into our demand for affordable, fun and healthier frozen concoctions. I personally enjoy ice cream very much but find that frozen yogurt offers sweet and healthy choices that its adversary just cannot satisfy. With rapid industry growth it is hard for me to say where this “craze” will go in the future, but I believe froyo, as we now know it, is here to stay. I predict a boom-and-bust scenario that may weed out weaker franchises, but there are already several that have become quite established: Yogli Mogli, Menchie’s and Yoforia, to name a few.
Ice cream may still dominate the frozen treat market, but as Bruster’s and Coldstone Creamery become few and far between, and as Baskin-Robbins continues to downsize, trendy, new yogurt stores open every day. They will likely continue to open and capitalize on our appetite for novelty and social gathering. There are currently a number of Froyo stores within several miles of our campus, rapidly outpacing dedicated ice cream establishments. So, next time you’re looking to beat the heat or just looking to get together with some friends, weigh your options and choose a healthier alternative that will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth.
Enjoyed your article and thought I’d add that Yogli Mogli has several “No Sugar Added” alternatives that are only 5g of total sugar content per serving–and that’s great if you’re worried about sugar content. Most all of their flavors (16) are fat free, so it’s a much better alternative to ice cream, and their stores are cute and clean.