Orange Leaf Self Serve Frozen Yogurt (Delray Beach )
***** Orange Leaf Self Serve Frozen Yogurt, 16950 Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33446.
This is an easy one…Orange Leaf Self Serve Frozen Yogurt—is a “self serve frozen yogurt” joint. If you check www.orangeleafyogurt.com you will find that this a franchise operation which currently has joints in Arizona, California, Hawaii and a whole bunch of other states …and that the Delray Beach store, which opened about 3 weeks ago, is the chain’s first spot in Florida. Just so you know, there are plans to open a second location in Mizner Park in Boca Raton. The website will also give you flavors and toppings.
The concept is simple…something like 13-14 different flavors. Tons of toppings. You get a cup and fill it all by yourself with all of the yogurt and toppings that you want. Then the cup is weighed at the front register and you pay by the ounce…figure something like 33 cents an ounce.
I was in there the other day and I really like the concept. I have seen other “versions” of the-help yourself concept- in Tucson and Los Angeles, namely “By The Ounce” and “Yogurtland”… That said, if you “got a heavy hand” those 33 cents really pile on, so out of nowhere a cup of yogurt could cost you 4-5 bucks a pop….soooo— go easy filling those cups.
Now you regular readers know that old Jeff Eats isn’t the biggest fan when it comes to yogurt…I’m more a Dairy Queen, Carvel, kinda guy and I love Italian ices. Anyway…Mrs. Jeff Eats and Daughter Jeff Eats loved the stuff and my “personal” sampling wasn’t all-that unpleasant. Between the three of us we “had” pistachio, oreo cookie, snickers, strawberry banana. Like I said, figure with toppings you are gonna spend $4+.
Now something for the franchisee of this joint. Personally, I think that your Jog location stinks. From what I can tell, you spent a nice penny on your build-out, but the strip center that you are in has absolutely no foot traffic whatsoever. Take it from me, you need a ton of people at 4 bucks a pop to make a go of a yogurt/ice cream store down here in South Florida. After the novelty wears off, I think that you will find it really rough sledding based on the location. As for your second spot in Mizner Park…I think before you sink your hard earned cash into that location, that you think it over again real hard. Mizner EXCEPT for weekend nights is DEADSVILLE. Feel free to drop me a line anytime and I’ll be more than happy to give you a list of what I think are far superior locations.
Orange Leaf is open 7 days a week.
Jeff Eats, I live in Boca Raton. If I am not mistaken, Orange Leaf is located with Marble Slab Ice Cream use to be. You are right that it isn’t the best location. This is strictly a word of mouth destination deal. I was in there the other day and like your family I enjoyed helping myself and the yogurt is as good as anything in the area. You are also right, the cups if filled can be quite costly.
where then do you think is a good location for frozen yogurt
It’s obvious that the franchisee thinks that his product is so far superior to anything else on the market that people will flock from all over. That’s not likely to happen. The only frozen desert place that ever had that attraction for me was the Lemon Ice King Of Corona, I know Pinkberry has that kind of following in parts of the country but I doubt that any of their locations have so little foot traffic. I know somebody tried to knock off Pinkberry in the Reserve a couple of years, which is a strip center that gets much more traffic, and they didn’t last long at all.
So many people lose so much money because they don’t do market research or fall in love with their product or concept. I do some restaurant consulting and I was once called over to a place in Boca called Welcome To The Jungle, which, believe it or not was a place that sold ice cream, Italian ices, and frozen yogurt. I guess the owner thought there was a place in the market for Guns and Roses ice cream aficionados. The owner wanted to know how I could help increase his business. When I gave him back his check and told him that he should immediately lock the door and go home, he looked at me like I was crazy. The pace was all wrong and I knew that not many people would be impressed with the cabinet handles made out of twigs. When I stopped by a couple of months later, the place was closed, and there was a yellow pages book sitting on top of a table near the window….opened to bankruptcy attorneys.
It’s going to be a long hot summer on Jog Road. I could be wrong, just look at the crowds at Way Beyond Bagels, but I would be very careful with the next location, no matter how fast a build out the territory agreement calls for.
I have lived in Boca Raton for over 30 years. I have seen restaurants and fast food businesses come and go like crazy.
I heard about Orange Leaf a few days ago and had a yogurt. Other than the self serve game there is absolutely nothing special going on there.
Way back when, the gas station at the corner of Jog and Clint Moore had self serve yogurt. It only lasted so long and now the gas station is almost bankrupt.
This yogurt place is in a horrendous location. You need people and there aren’t enough people to support this concept.
If you want to even try this idea you need to be by FAU where you got tons of kids who eat this stuff.
Only time will tell but my money says Orange Leaf won’t last too long.
By the way, a store in Mizner Park would also be bad news. Very few people go there. Don’t believe me, just ask the other storekeepers how bad business is and how they are always fighting with the landlord for rent reductions.
Jeff makes some very sharp comments. Some of these people should pay him a few buscks for a consult that could save them HUGE money, and grief. Franchises are failing like crazy and most reguire some nice bucks up front. I tried this concept in vegas near a VERY high volume movie theater. You are right it can get pricey in a hurry. The product there was excellent and you could mix some flavors. When people added a bunch of toppings I saw 6-7.00 for a CUP!
i think its ok. look at the demos 9000 people within 1 mile, and over 60,000 within 3 miles. And they are all the typical demographic that they need. I agree mizner sucks, but i think that their jog location should work. They are definitely surrounded but their type of customer and would have no problem drawing all the way from glades or even further. Way beyond is the right example. Marble slab didn’t do well because none of them are doing to well anymore. Where else in boca would people be willing to pay so much for a cup of yogurt other than the people of woodfield, polo, addison, etc..
if you don’t think that jeff knows a thing or two about franchises take a look at his writeup on five guys burgers back on 11/2/06. he spotted this one before anyone really ever heard of it.
by the way, do some checking and you will find that jeff was once president of a discovery franchise in miami and had a location that did close to $100,000 a week while the rest of the chain was doing $13,000-$15,000.
bagel eater, how many of those 60,000 people within those 3 miles live in Kings Point? I bet they can’t wait to grab their walkers and get in line for $4 yogurts.
unless this place got a great rent deal it will have a very hard time making it.
I’ve been in the franchise business for 18 years, a bad location in death. High rent in a great location is death. finding the best location and getting good rent is key (no more than 8% of projected sales) Mizner Park is not the place for this type of a franchise. Frozen treat products are a tuff sell ever wonder why all the Baskin-Robbins are now in Dunkin-Donuts shops- co-branding – saves money on rent. The cost of goods is a real killer in this segmet of franchiseing. I wish them luck but keep 3 things in mind – location location location!
Checkout http://www.yogurt-land.com that is one of the major players in the self serve field. The Orange Leaf isn’t in the same league product or store design wise. I live two minutes away from Orange Leaf in and know that the location isn’t good. This store should have been opened right near FAU. Another good spot is next to the Five Guys’ store in Boca.
Hey Jeff, another one that’s going to be in big trouble is the new Tasti_delite which opened a few weeks ago in Boynton. How a franchisor could let someone open there is mind boggling. I guess most franchisors are interested in the fees and couldn’t give a rat’s ass as to how the franchisee does.
great fun concept. my kids loved it.
I have been to Orangeleaf around 4 times since they opened, and I have to admit that I will definitely choose Brendy’s over Orangeleaf due to location. They have good tasting yogurt, but it is impossible to not overfill your cup. Two cups cost me $12 yesterday…YIKES !!! (I totally ate too much yogurt!). Anyhow, whenever I’m in there, there are usually 15 people in line in front of me. They get a TON of kids after school and it seems to be a new hangout. I think the Jog Rd. location will do well. Mizner Park however, not such a great spot.
i was at the new tasti delite in boynton. you couldn’t pick a worse location. two small cups cost me 7 dollars. absurd. good ice cream substitute but way too expensive. they will be gone in 1 year tops.
Jeff, tried another self serve yogurt place called Eco Yogurt Lounge which opened about a week ago in Boca. They have 12 flavors and toppings and charge $.40 an ounce. Place is done up with white counces like a night club lounge. It is located on Yamato Rd. next to Dunkin Donuts a few bays down from Ale House. Same type of deal as Orange Leaf.
finally actually tried this place, it was packed! i still think its a great location. surrounded by all the nicest communities in boca with a bunch of restaurants around them to draw people in. much better location than the eco yogurt place on yamato. there is no residential around there and not to many people leaving their offices to get yogurt in the middle of the day
nice yogurt store.
good choices.
expensive if you have a heavy hand filling your cup.
Hi Jeff,
I live right near the new Orange Leaf location on Jog Road. Have you ever driven by that location after 8pm on a weekend night? The parking lot is so overflowing that cars are parked up on the side streets. Try walking into Orange Leaf, and you practically have to crawl over the dozens of teenagers who are there hanging out.
It is DEFINITELY the new hang out/hot spot for the under 18 set, and I would be surprised if they aren’t making some serious $$$ off of these kids.
For the record…I’m involved with Yogurtland and despite my obvious bias – I’m inviting you to a taste test at our first open location in South Florida (Pembroke Pines) quickly followed by others in Coral Springs and Weston.
I’m willing to put your mouth where our money is…but in exchange I want to hear about your prime locations.
Spoons at the ready! Get set….
Yes I would love to do a taste test. Yogurtlands water based Yogurt, get real. Only put up the amount of money that you are prepared to loseVs. Orange Leaf. Orange Leaf is a milk based Yogurt product not water based like Yogurt Land people are going to know this.
Hi Jeff,
I am one of the VERY few independent operators who thrived in the South Florida frozen yogurt and Ice cream sector from 1992-2006. I started out in Crocker Center ( Boca Center now) and had several operations in The Festival Marketplace in Pompano for many years. Frozen Yogurt definitely died out for the last number of years and now everyone is jumping on board the Korean style and self serve style operations. If your the franchisor, Kudos to you. That’s the best position to be in, however as franchisee you better do your homework first….What works in LA or NY doesn’t always work here in South Florida. This is a nickel and dime business and I don’t mean that in a bad way, you just have to watch every penny because a you need ALOT of HAPPY CUSTOMERS to close out a $1500 day. There will be Alot of FALLOUT the next couple of years from this SIZZLING HOT sector and I believe the companies that have strong Investment / management partners and successful prior QS rollouts nationally will be the ones still standing.
OK, tried it now a few times hoping it would improve with each visit. Here are the basics. The place is filthy. They never wipe down the tables. The floor is sticky and toppings and drippy yogurt cover most of it. The yogurt is way to soft and practically half melted by the time it hits your cup. Always a machine broken and out of service. THe kids that work there dont give a damn and couldn’t care less what you have to say. I hate those little table and chairs in the middle of the place. And if you are sitting there, you hear the humming of the machines and on a busy night you are in the middle of the snaked line of people waiting to get their yogurt and toppings. ICK! And have you ever tried to call the place? you can’t. there isn’t a phone number listen anywhere. Actually, taking it a step further tried to call corporate and that number doesn’t work either. Called a ramdom location and I was told that the franchise corporate is in transition! That might explain a few things. In a nut shell. Not worth it at all. We did try eco and loved the design of the place. you can actually relax and not have to be right next to the machines while eating. Flavors are great (pommegranite is FAB). The toppings could be a little better though. But, they nicely give you sample cups and you can try anything. Unlike ORange leaf where they hoard the sample cups and dole out samples for you like we were all little children! Can you tell….NOT A FAN!!
What are your ideas for far superior locations
for a yogurt franchise in the Boca area
orange leaf just opened in mizner park, I will have to check it out!
Hi Jeff,
I had some frozen yogurt at your place in Boca a few weeks ago and it was the best I have ever had. I was thinking what a great idea and I have a location in south florida which I thought would be a great place to start one of your franchises. How much does it cost to run a store and how do you get the capital to start one?
Ira
hey jeff, was in the orange leaf that just opened in mizner park last night and it was very busy. i enjoyed the yogurt. that said, i think that the landlord is an s o b for letting orange leaf open when there was already an ice cream place in mizner. sort of hurts the guy who has been there for years.
dont have a heavy finger when you are filling those cups or else you will pay like 6 bucks for a cup. forewarned is forearmed
kk
went to the new franchise at Delray Marketplace. Husband and I had 2 yogurts…..owner said……fill up……..no prices posted. It was $9 !!
Yogurt was good……nice place, very clean……….but, expensive. I got a Loyalty Card. Cannot even register online………its okay……but, at those prices……I will not be a constant customer, for shure!
yogurtland is the best serve yourself of all of them. one kust opened in coral springs..
jeff, my husband and i were in this store yesterday. disgusting. people filling their cups and eating the yogurt before paying for it and then filling up with more. people touching with their hands the stuff on the topping hand and then putting it back on the table. not too sanitary. we watched and then just walked out.
Hi Jeff! We have learned much by reading your posts and discussions. My husband, Joe, and I are opening a new shop called iYogurt — 9874 Yamato Rd. near 441. We will have all natural frozen yogurt (self serve) as well as hand-dipped ice cream. We will have sugar free, fat free, and lactose free, too — there are many people who need these options. Also, cake, pastry, espresso drinks. Our grand opening is in July — check our facebook page for the date. We hope you will come out to review us, Jeff! – Jaynie & Joe 561-451-8100
Hey Jeff, I have been to both stores in Boca and each time I was there they were very busy. I don’t like the layout of the stores but they both seem to be doing some nice business.
Have you tried Yogurtland which recently opened in Coral Springs? Same serve yourself concept. I think that Yogurtland has the best yogurt compared to Eco or Orange Leaf. In addition Yogurtland only get 30 ecnts an ounce while the other two get over 40 cents.
Try out GoYo in Boyton Beach. Best tasting yogurt I ever had. Blows away Orange leaf and Yogurt Land. You can tell they have a great recipes for their yogurts. Not quite as buisy as the other locations, but they just opened a month ago.
like mom n pop video stores, only the big strong chains survive. we’ll see.
was in mizner store last night. very busy.
jammed tonite around 9;45 pm, must have been 25 people on line
I work in Mizner. I don’t like frozen yogurt much myself but I had to try it for research purposes of course. It was very good. I don’t frequent it much but it seems many people do. It’s never empty and everyone who comments on it does so positively. We’ll see but I hope it lasts.
where is a good location for a cupcake frozen yogurt business?
Tried Orange Leaf on Jog.
Ok but if you dont watch whats going into that cup you will have to take a second job.
The location is ok. I know that its located near a number of high end country club communities but there is absolutely no walk by traffic in its center.
Got to agree with you, Jeff that its not a great location.
I think that too many of these self serve yogurt stores are opening. Also agree with Jeff that this is a fad and its going to be a bad ending for most of these mom and pop franchise owners.
One other thing was in Tasti Delite in Boca Center last night. Love the product but the location is bad news. How can a franchisor business allow a franchisee open in such a horrendous spot? I guess the franchisor is looking for fees and couldn’t give a rat’s ass about his franchisee.
Yes. That is correct about the franchiser being agreeable to any “safe” and upscale location – as long as it is no $$ out of franchisor’s bank account. You see, by allowing others to dump too much money into building out a store in a high-end locale, it automatically benefits regardless of whether the franchisee struggles. The franchisor will tell them – our name is new and one location isn’t enough yet, so open some more and you’ll see a following. Then people start eating the yummy, yet pricey yogurt. Then after 4 or 5 visits, they get tired of it and realize that they no longer want to add calories like that to their day’s eats on a “regular” basis. So now they start going occasionally, then a few times a year, then they forget about it.
I am thinking about opening one of these stores in NJ, Not sure if I should do it in an established Mall, such as Rockaway Town Mall or a local town strip mall . What are your thoughts?
Their pineapple sorbet is delicious.
Their new Delray store just opened today. It’s at Lyons and Atlantic,
Had the vanilla and it was delicious.
Jeff
You called it right.
A few minutes ago I drove by Orange Leaf on Yamato and it is now out of business.
Like another reader said, these franchise guys should pay you a fee and get your opinion before they buy into a franchise and/or pick a location.
Mizner Park location CLOSED.
Jeff it was as if you had a crystal ball, as both Delray Beach and Mizner Park stores opened and are now CLOSED.
Orange also had a store in Delray Marketplace and it also failed.