Frozen-yogurt chain invests in Broomfield

BROOMFIELD – Broomfield is getting a boost to its “fro-yo” mojo.

TCBY, one of the world’s largest frozen-yogurt chains, announced Thursday it will open its flagship corporate store, franchisee training center and research-and-development headquarters in Broomfield.

The store and facility will be on the ground floor of 8001 Arista Place, across from 1stBank Center and the Broomfield Regional Transportation District hub. Construction is to begin in December, and the target opening date is scheduled for early March.

TCBY’s parent company is Mrs. Fields Famous Brands LLC, doing business as Famous Brands International. Famous Brands International has its headquarters on the sixth floor of Arista Place. The company moved to Broomfield in July after leaving the Salt Lake City area. It employs more than 35 people in Broomfield.

“We are very excited to open our first corporate store and the 12th TCBY location in Colorado right here in Broomfield. The tremendous growth opportunity at Arista will be very advantageous for the advancement of the brand,” TCBY chief executive Tim Casey said in a press release.

TCBY will train new domestic and foreign franchise owners and managers at the location, spokeswoman Gretchen Paules said. The trainers should be busy – TCBY’s goal is to open 80 stores next year, which means a lot of people will pass through the program and spend time and money in Broomfield.

“It definitely will be a significant number of people,” Paules said.

TCBY plans to focus on several facets of its business in Broomfield. The training center will help domestic and national franchisees. The flagship store will be a place to roll out new flavors and varieties developed at the R&D center as it works to be a leader in first-to-market innovations.

“We have invested heavily into the food science of our fro-yo, giving our R&D team the chance to distance itself from the category, and it’s paying dividends for our brand and our partners,” Casey said.

TCBY has more than 650 locations in the United States and worldwide. The company was founded in 1981 in Little Rock, Arkansas, and has branded itself as “the country’s best yogurt.” It was acquired by Mrs. Fields Famous Brands in 2000.

The Mrs. Fields’ side of the company also has plans for Broomfield, which likely will be announced next week, Paules said.

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