California Franchise Expansion on Fire for CUPS Frozen Yogurt - That's Hot ™

LIVINGSTON, N.J., Feb. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For CUPS Frozen Yogurt – That's Hot™, California Dreamin' is no longer a dream.

Building on the success of its 18 East Coast locations, CUPS Frozen Yogurt – That's Hot, the wildly popular beach-themed self-serve fro-yo concept, is ready to take California by storm with the signing of three area development agreements representing 26 franchise units in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Fernando Valley and San Diego.

CUPS was created and is owned/operated by The Briad Group, one of the largest and fastest growing hospitality companies in the US. The Briad Group's entities are: licensed franchisees for Wendy's, TGI Friday's®, Marriott, Hilton and a licensee for Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar. The Briad Group is the largest TGI Friday's franchisee in the world.

The Exchange, a popular Yahoo Finance blog, recently named CUPS as one of "The Most Popular Fast-Food Outlets You Haven't Heard Of (Yet)." With 19 locations in New York, New Jersey, California (Orange County) and Florida, CUPS is poised for explosive growth. Over the past six months, CUPS has signed 10 area development agreements representing 45 franchise units.

Since opening the first CUPS in Clifton, New Jersey in late 2010, CUPS has become the local hot spot for teenagers and adults alike who make their own fro-yo concoctions choosing from 24 yogurt flavors and over 50 different toppings and three sauces.

Jas Ghotra, co-president of Sant and Sons who have experience in retail and sales, recently signed on with CUPS for 12 franchise units, becoming the first franchisee in California, whose territory ranges from Santa Monica to Long Beach, including Torrance, Hawthorne, and the beach cities of Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach.

"CUPS is a whole new environment compared to the many different concepts of frozen yogurt these days. I don't see a better place than Southern California to have these beach and club themed frozen yogurt shops," said Ghotra. "We can't wait to introduce CUPS to all of Southern California."

According to CUPS co-founder Rick Barbrick, CUPS is much more than great frozen yogurt; CUPS was designed around the experience.

"It's more of a club like experience. We pump out club dance music at volumes that create a highly energetic vibe, a lounge-type design with couches, ottomans and eclectic murals; and Cast Members with infectiously fun personalities. It's the complete experience that gives us that edgy vibe versus an everyday yogurt bar or ice cream shop experience," said Barbrick.

Carlsbad residents, Steve and Deanna Coley are sales and marketing veterans who saw something special in CUPS.  "The CUPS branding is well thought out and executed. It's easy to understand the differentiation by providing guests with a total experience rather than just serving fro-yo."

Coley Inc.'s area development agreement calls for nine units in San Diego and Orange County over the next five years.

"The concept really grabbed us," said David and Lori Cantrell, of the Cantran Group whose area development agreement covers five units in Pasadena, Burbank, Studio City, Glendale and Santa Clarita. "CUPS is a destination – a place to go and enjoy the music, the vibe, the atmosphere."

For more information, contact Rob Fix at 972-672-9159 or visit www.cupsfrozenyogurt.com.

SOURCE CUPS Frozen Yogurt