Welcome to the Pinkberry Blog.

11 23 09 | Blushing Over Pinkberry

It takes me awhile to warm up to frozen yogurt (no pun intended). I'm usually not inclined to savor its tart personality, but on occasion, I'll yield to it. Leslie was in town from Guyana, a land plentiful of roti and plantains, but not a frozen yogurt purveyor in sight. She was nostalgic for this golden treat, so after a late afternoon snack of dumpling soup and fried dumplings, we dove into a Pinkberry branch in Koreatown. It's a bright, stunning enclave, outfitted with stylish contemporary furniture, more specifically, bubbly pendant lamps by Poul Christiansen, transluscent orange and green chairs by Philippe Starck and white mod-like tables by Eeros Saarinen.

The jovial counter boys handed out mini spoonfuls of flavor samples. I fancied the subtle coconut yogurt, but Leslie felt the passionfruit yogurt possessed more zing. In dire economic times such as this, when you yearn for both quality and quantity, Pinkberry can serve as your refuge. Because you get to drool over not just one, not even just two, but an unlimited number of toppings that the serving cup can support without anything toppling over. Pinkberry's lovely platoon of garnishes include Fruity Pebbles, Orea cookies, bananas, strawberries, kiwi, cranberries and pomegranite seeds among others. Even our small order of yogurt emerged as a generous size of frozen swirl. Just how many toppings could we get our accommodating counter boys to adorn it with? My greedy self wanted him to smother the yogurt with all the colorful morsels glistening behind the glass but my sensible side deduced that such overkill would most likely produce a rather icky taste and gut-wrenching sensation. I narrowed my decor to a surprisingly color-pleasing set of Captain Crunch cereal, sugared gummy bears, white chocolate chips and mochi. All the flavors melded well together and sweetly complemented the yogurt's coconut taste. I loved the tiny cubes of mochi the best; the texture was soft and chewy and the coating was slightly dusty. Compared to Leslie's healthier toppings of mochi, blueberries, raspberries and mango, my sugary, caloric tower was certainly something to blush pink about.

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11 23 09 | Pinkberry adds chocolate & tweaks toppings policy

As the frozen yogurt fad appears to implode in Orange County, industry leader Pinkberry continues to adapt to keep froyo fans happy.

On Friday, the 77-unit chain will embark on a major strategy change when it introduces its first traditional “ice cream” flavor: chocolate. The more indulgent froyo flavor will join Pinkberrys better known tart and green tea flavors on the menu.

I have to wonder: Has Pinkberry caved, joining the ranks of Yogurtland and Cherry on Top — whose self-serve machines pour loads more ice cream-flavored froyo?

Pinkberry Chief executive Ron Graves said the new flavor was created to meet consumer demand — but it remains a very healthy product.

“It’s difficult to make a great chocolate frozen yogurt without compromising taste or quality,” Graves said. “Some taste good, but they are unhealthy and/or are heavy. Some are healthier, but aren’t appealing.”

Graves addressed the chocolate experiment, and other menu changes at Pinkberry in a recent interview. Here’s what he had to say:

The Chocolate Experiment

After working on the formula for more than a year, Graves said Pinkberry’s new flavor should wow fans with its “rich yet light and delicate” taste.

“It’s the perfect combination of high quality, dark chocolate and a low fat, healthier treat - one you crave and can feel good about eating,” he said.

Chocolate will replace Passionfruit on the menu come Friday, Nov. 27.

Endless toppings, sort of

Another menu shift for Pinkberry came last month when the chain changed its toppings policy.

In the past, customers were limited to the amount of toppings they could put on certain froyo sizes.

In October, Pinkberry revamped its menu so that customers can top swirls with as many toppings as will “comfortably fill” a cup. Prices have not changed.

For example, I recently got a medium Passionfruit for $5.95 with about five fruit toppings. (That same size & flavor used to be limited to 3 toppings.)

Once again, consumer demand dictated the menu change, Graves said.

“We have so many new, exciting and high quality toppings that represent thousands of combinations and we want our customers to be able to experience as much as they desire – all for the same price,” he said.

Fading froyo fad

Isn’t the froyo market over saturated?

“No,” Graves said.

Well, then why are shops closing?

Graves agreed that many “shops” have flooded the Southern California market since Pinkberry first opened in 2005. “You are already seeing fall out by those that did not invest in the proper infrastructure to grow or make short term decisions around quality of product, service or real estate.”

So, there’s room to grow for smart brands like Pinkberry?

“No question,” Graves said. “It is a huge market and Pinkberry has barely scratched the surface.”

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11 20 09 | David Beckham -- Unbrace Yourself

No longer sporting the protective boot he's been rocking as of late, David Beckham took his various sons for frozen yogurt at a Pinkberry in Brentwood yesterday ... without injuring himself.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2009/11/20/david-beckham-unbrace-yourself/#ixzz0XQeS0DR4

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11 19 09 | Pinkberry's Gone Chocolate

Calling all Pinkberry fans!

Check out this latest scoop…

Pinkberry is coming out with a new flavor, a deliciously rich Chocolate Pinkberry.

We’re having a special event this Friday night, 11/20 at the Pinkberry in Hermosa Beach, CA. Come and be the first to try Pinkberry’s newest flavor for free.  Also, our man Ry Cuming will be performing live!

When: Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, 7-9 pm

Where: Pinkberry Hermosa Beach

900 Pacific Coast Highway

Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

310 318 5888

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