Franchise Deep Dive: TCBY’s Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

The Country's Best Yogurt, more popularly known as TCBY, is a frozen yogurt franchise. This brand was one of the first frozen yogurt brands to gain popularity and has been in operation since 1981. The company offers a variety of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings, allowing customers to create their own customized frozen yogurt desserts.

In 1981, the first TCBY opened in Little Rock, Arkansas. TCBY began franchising the following year. By 1984, there were over 100 stores. Today, there are over 350 locations nationwide.

In 2021, TCBY celebrated its 40th anniversary with continued expansion. The company revealed it had 12 new U.S. locations opened over the past year with six more on the way. The franchise also opened new store formats such as a new drive-thru in St. Augustine, Florida, as well as a new self-serve store in Bayonne, New Jersey, which focused on catering with a late-night, walk-up window.

TCBY offers an extensive product line, with most yogurt flavors low in fat, nonfat or no sugar added. The franchise also launched its frozen yogurt classification "Super FroYo" in 2011, which it claims is still the most nutritious frozen yogurt product available in the market.

There are five different types of TCBY models franchisees can open:

• Counter Service: For the original concept, guests are served at the counter. The frozen yogurt treat menu includes hand-scooped treats, sundaes, shakes and other nostalgic “soda shop” options.

• Self-Serve: This interactive experience involves guests serving themselves from a wide selection of flavors and toppings. This also includes the full frozen yogurt treat menu.

• Non-Traditional: This flexible size and design can be designed in a smaller size to meet the needs of airports, travel plazas, convenience stores, hospitals and universities.

• Kiosks: This smaller concept is designed to fit in any space, commonly in traditional malls and outdoor shopping complexes.

There is also a drive-thru option that is an available add-on for counter service and self-serve models.

Earnings for TCBY franchise owners are not publicly available.

The cost to open a TCBY varies by format:

• Counter Service: $319,840 – $635,812

• Self-Serve: $319,840 – $635,812

• Kiosks: $173,950 – $259,687

• Non-Traditional: $15,000 – $175,000

The franchise fee to open a counter service, self-serve or kiosk TCBY is $35K. For non-traditional units, the franchise fee ranges from $5K to $15K, depending on venue.

• Rich Hankins — Senior Director of Franchise Development

• Nelson Tejada — CEO

• Paul Correale — Director of Franchise Development

• Corie King — Director, Franchise Marketing

• Brian Mooney — Franchise Development Manager

• Joe Lewis — President and Chief Operating Officer

• Kim Browning — Franchise Operations/Training Manager

• Heather Piaseck — Supply Chain Specialist

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