The fro-yo trend is coming to Signal Mountain Boulevard.
Businessman Kush Shah—who said he has a background in the hospitality and restaurant industry and who has lived all over the world—has settled in Chattanooga, where he has family and friends, and he soon will open Cocoaberry Frozen Yogurt, 541 Signal Mountain Blvd., Suite 225.
“I’ve seen a trend in the past couple of years—the trend is shifting toward frozen yogurt from ice cream,” he said.
—Cocoaberry will have 14 to 18 different flavors.
—The store will have 45 different toppings, 12 of which are fresh fruit.
—The store seats between 25 and 30 people.
—Shah has hired 10 to 12 full- and part-time employees.
—The store will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. It will be open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
—Shah said that frozen yogurt can be healthier than ice cream. Click here for more reading on frozen yogurt nutrition.
—Shah is hoping to open the store Saturday or Monday.
Source: Kush Shah
Chattanooga already has several options for frozen yogurt—fro-yo for short, if you’re trendy.
There’s Top It Off, Ice Cream Show and Cold Stone Creamery downtown and Menchie’s at Hamilton Place, among others.
Between fall 2010 and fall 2011, the number of retail frozen yogurt shops across the nation increased by 31 percent, from 3,624 to 4,765, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Shah said his location, in the same complex as Walmart, several restaurants and other stores, is ideal for his $400,000 investment.
There is plenty of parking at that location, which Shah said is a benefit compared to some places downtown, which may have more limited parking.
He has saved money for years and recently sold a property in Australia to fund his venture, he said.
And the timing to open a business is right, he said. He plans on opening two more in the area by the summer, but he declined to say the exact locations.
He wants to live the rest of his life in the United States, and he feels like the economy is bouncing back, he said.
“The U.S. being one of the best countries in the world—it’s not going to go down without a fight,” he said. “It’s got beautiful natural resources and financial geniuses. That’s what motivated me to come back.”
