Mrs. Fields & TCBY expand Southeast with proven franchisee

Famous Brands International, the parent company of both Mrs. Fields and TCBY, Tuesday announced an expanded agreement with area developer and franchisee Samuel Batt that will open 15 additional dessert restaurants in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Through his company Batt Enterprises, Batt has been a TCBY franchisee since 2010. He currently operates 15 yogurt shops and two Mrs. Fields cookie locations. As an area developer for Famous Brands International, Batt has already established strong infrastructure in the Greater Charlotte market and is looking to expand the same approach into North Carolina’s Research Triangle region, which includes the cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Batt’s approach to scaling the two brands involves prioritizing development in suburban growth corridors and college adjacent neighborhoods.

“I’m proud to continue reinvesting in TCBY and Mrs. Fields,” said Samuel Batt, Franchise Owner. “These are iconic brands that generations of customers have known and loved for decades, and we continue to see that connection translate into strong performance today. Expanding across the Southeast gives us the opportunity to bring high-quality frozen yogurt and freshly baked treats to more communities throughout the region. I look forward to growing both brands and introducing them to even more families.”

As Batt suggests, both Mrs. Fields and TCBY have well-earned reputations as “originals” in their respective markets. Mrs. Fields is approaching its 50th anniversary in business, while TCBY has more than 45 years of experience in the frozen dessert space. TCBY’s franchise system currently includes more than 125 independently owned and operated locations around the world, while Mrs. Fields commands a network of more than 150 global franchises.

Famous Brands International is a portfolio specifically designed to represent Mrs. Fields and TCBY worldwide. Its combined network includes more than 275 franchised locations spread across the U.S., Canada, Australia, China, Morocco, Panama, Taiwan, Qatar, and the Bahamas. Since October of 2023, Famous Brands International has been owned by Pearl Street Equity, a multi-billion dollar family office investment firm based in New York.

As both Mrs. Fields and TCBY enter their next round of expansion, Famous Brands International is seeking to connect with potential multi-unit operators, with emphasis on Raleigh-Durham, Charleston, SC, and Atlanta.