Yogen Fruz

Yogen Früz is an international frozen yogurt and smoothie brand built around customizable fruit and yogurt-based treats. The company focuses on simple, made-to-order products such as soft-serve frozen yogurt, hand-scooped yogurt blended with fruit, and smoothies prepared on site. Guests can tailor their order with different bases, fruits, and toppings, while the menu leans toward lighter options compared with traditional ice cream. Many locations also rotate seasonal flavors and regional specials so operators can respond to local tastes.

The first Yogen Früz shop opened in 1986 in Thornhill, Ontario, when brothers Michael and Aaron Serruya launched the concept just north of Toronto. Franchising followed quickly across Canada, and the brand moved into the United States and overseas markets in the early 1990s, giving it an early presence in the frozen yogurt category outside the usual U.S. coastal strongholds. A key milestone came in 1999, when MTY Food Group Inc., a Canadian multi-brand restaurant operator, acquired Yogen Früz and added it to a growing stable of quick-service concepts. That ownership structure has allowed the brand to lean on MTY’s franchising expertise and international relationships for further expansion.

As of September 2024, Yogen Früz counts roughly 1,100 locations in more than 25 countries. Most of the system is franchised, with a mix of inline stores, kiosks, and co-branded counters. The operating model is built around compact equipment packages and streamlined production lines, which helps franchisees fit the concept into small footprints, food courts, and other space-constrained settings. This flexibility has supported steady placement in shopping centers and high-traffic destinations where snack and dessert offerings help round out a tenant mix.

Over the past five years, the brand has continued to grow primarily through master franchisees and area developers rather than corporate store builds. Yogen Früz has focused on reinforcing its Canadian base while adding units in the United States and deepening its presence across Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. Many of these international openings are in enclosed malls, entertainment districts, and outlet environments, often with store designs adjusted to local retail formats while keeping the same core product platform. The brand has also moved into nontraditional locations such as cinemas, convenience outlets, and transportation hubs, including co-branded counters in Cineplex theatres in Canada, which extend its reach into evening and weekend entertainment traffic.

For landlords, brokers, and developers, Yogen Früz brings a recognizable, single-category dessert and beverage concept that can work in a variety of layouts, from small inline units to kiosks that activate common areas or forecourts. The concept performs well in settings with strong walk-by traffic and existing food, fashion, or entertainment anchors, capturing incremental spend from shoppers and moviegoers without requiring a full restaurant footprint. Backed by MTY Food Group and a franchise-driven model that favors local operators and territory developers, Yogen Früz can support multi-unit rollouts and infill within portfolios where consistent foot traffic, cross-shopping, and dwell time are priorities.