Frozen yogurt bars

I'll stick with my initial gut instinct about what I considered a questionable statement....
http://www.kentucky.com/2011/01/25/1609729/orange-leaf-frozen-yogurt-taking.html

Maybe. This quote within that story speaks to my guts and says there's probably a very interesting story behind the story:

Three of Lexington's four former Graeter's stores, which closed after issues with the franchisee, will become home to Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt.

Landlord problem, Graeter's gets forced out, making way for a cold-treats competitor?

"issues with franchisee" has nothing to do with LL problems. . .

[Robin Garr]

"issues with franchisee" has nothing to do with LL problems. . .

No, but it's an easy thing to tell a pesky reporter. Brian, let's face it: Neither one of us has a clue, so there's no need to attack the messenger. I hope Blake will tell us more.

It's pretty clear that he's upset that his favorite ice cream shop is no longer in Lexington and there is nothing wrong with that, however, conspiracy theories that an ice cream shop can be ran out of town just can't be true. Any business that operates well in a free market society has the opportunity to continue.

You are right, neither of us knows the truth. But I've been in business long enough and have a strong understanding of franchising and commercial leases. Most often, landlord issues or franchisee issues point to an underlying financial problem and it's just a nice way to say the business is not going well. This is clearly evidenced in the article with this quote:

Graeter's CEO Richard Graeter turned to Tedesco to re-enter the market after the previous franchisee, International Brand Services, closed its eight stores in Lexington and Northern Kentucky in early December.
The franchisee had been suffering from a "cash crunch" for a while, its leader said, and was having difficulty paying interest due on debt. Cincinnati-based Graeter's had offered to buy the stores but backed out and then terminated the franchise, sealing its fate in the city.


Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/01/25/1609 ... z1R3q1APbH

Not trying to go back and forth, but those of us in business can analyze these situations fairly quickly. Right from the horses mouth, the CEO states that it's a financial issue with the franchisee (International Brand Services) and Graeters terminated the franchise agreement.

Orange Leaf then capitalized on the Graeter's franchisee failing in Lexington by swooping in to take what sounds like some great locations. When landlords have empty space they like to rent them as soon as possible.

Not attacking the messenger, however, there is plenty of info available to research and form a much more accurate picture rather than taking the word of an unhappy former patron.

Brian is right... the only thing I know about the story is the link that Brian posted, and similar stories/rumors. My initial statement was meant to be (sort of) tongue-in-cheek, and I apologize if the statement implied that I had some inside knowledge (I don't!!). Orange Leaf probably isn't responsible for the explusion of graeter's (but it does seem that they could be indirectly responsible for the delay in its swift return... but all is fair in leases and ice-cream sales, as Brian said). But I WILL continue to vote with my pocketbook: I won't buy any of this flavour-of-the-month (literally) frozen yogurt until real ice cream returns to Lexington.

One last thing though: John Calipari is an orange leaf investor. Now, I'm a huge fan of Calipari as a b-ball coach, but something about the fact that he is involved with orange leaf rubs me the wrong way, and makes me wonder--conspiracy theory alert!--if there is more to the story of Graeter's retreat from Lexington.
http://www.coachcal.com/2011/02/22/blee ... at-orange/

One last thing though: John Calipari is an orange leaf investor. Now, I'm a huge fan of Calipari as a b-ball coach, but something about the fact that he is involved with orange leaf rubs me the wrong way, and makes me wonder--conspiracy theory alert!--if there is more to the story of Graeter's retreat from Lexington.
/

Well that changes EVERYTHING if Greasy Calamari is involved!

[Robin Garr]

Well that changes EVERYTHING if Greasy Calamari is involved!

Especially if Rick Pitino brings Orange Leaf to Louisville!

Alright, so I think I've been to every self serve yogurt place in the city.

32 Degrees... first to open, it's good. They do seem to change the flavors frequently and there are usually one or two I'm excited about. I've had some random service issues (teenagers got scared by the tornado warnings and decided to lock the door... they let us out when we asked, but they probably need some supervision). Topping selection is probably the largest in the city... granted, I'm a simple man when it comes to toppings, so I don't need yogurt covered pop rocks, even if they are delicious.

Sweet CiCi's... probably the most disappointing of the bunch. Low on flavor options and toppings... I wasn't that impressed.

Choice's: Best tasting yogurt overall. Decent flavor selection, decent topping selection. Probably my favorite location in the city.

Mencie's: Opened today. It's good. 12 flavors, all seemed interesting. They have some of the weirder flavors, but the Dulce de Leche was good. Pretty good topping selection.

Not sure if there are other self serve places around, but those are the four I know of... I'm not positive, but Choice's appears to not be a chain. I couldn't find an internet site for them... I hope so, it'd be nice for the local option to be the best

I am personally of the opinion that frozen yogurt is an abomination and should legally be required to contain a hormone that sterilizes the person eating it so they can not reproduce and continue to pollute the gene pool.

Piles of artificially flavored, poured from a bag and then machine extruded soft serve like substance that is only edible when piled with miniature chocolate chips and sprinkles is what people in hell are forced to endure while the angels feast on smooth, delicious ice cream.

God knows what the good stuff is, and it doesn't involve a "toppings bar", a scale or a ridiculous name that bears no resemblance to the product served inside. WTH is a Pinkalicious anyway?

Shame.

I thought Cefiore was gelato? There's a yogurt shop opening or already opened in Holiday Manor. Sorry, can't remember the name.

[Robin Garr]

I thought Cefiore was gelato? There's a yogurt shop opening or already opened in Holiday Manor. Sorry, can't remember the name.

I'm pretty sure Ce'Fiore is frozen yogurt.

I thought Cefiore was gelato? There's a yogurt shop opening or already opened in Holiday Manor. Sorry, can't remember the name.

I'm pretty sure Ce'Fiore is frozen yogurt.

CeFiore is frozen yogurt, but not self serve... it's fancier than the places I mentioned.

I love frozen yogurt... artificially processed as it might be.

[Robin Garr]

CeFiore is frozen yogurt, but not self serve... it's fancier than the places I mentioned.

I was particularly impressed at the combinations with fresh fruit.

My wife and I go to Sweet CeCe's every couple of weeks at the corner of Eastern Pkwy & Bardstown Rd. It's really the only ice cream / frozen yogurt place we go anymore. We like it because the whole process is self-serve with scads of toppings. Pay by weight. It's not cheap but not like we eat sweets all the time, either. We've filled up one of their punch cards and got a free one, working on another card. Been to Cefiore across the street and prefer Sweet CeCe's.

I have only been to one -- 32 degrees. It was good. The fruit could have been fresher. The biggest issue I had was the sheer size of the smallest available bowl. It was at least a 2-cup bowl. I wanted 1/2 cup of frozen yogurt and some fruit. I was able to do that, but it looked like nothing in that huge bowl.

There's a new one getting ready to open up in Clarksville in front of Walmart, called Sweet 'n' Swirly. Here's hoping their bowls are smaller.