Franchisee Spotlight: Nizar Khimani, Houston, TX

Nizar Khimani, 34 years old, has lived in a few states such as New York, Texas, Florida and Georgia and went to the University of Georgia receiving a double major in finance and IT systems.  He started out working in consulting and IT, then in the hotel industry for six years before it became clear to him that what he wanted to do most was own his own business. Nizar’s brother-in-law, who is his current business partner, established some strong research in franchising. Noticing the industry was on the rise, the duo focused their attention on frozen yogurt brands. Nizar went into business with TCBY because of their strong national presence. His uncle also operates a TCBY in Dallas. When Nizar decided to support the TCBY footprint in Texas, he wanted to make a fresh start with his own store. Nizar has been operating the store since the beginning of February 2013 in a popular neighborhood of Houston. The store has been open since October 2011.

How did you learn about the brand?

I always knew the self-serve industry was my thing from my family ties.  It particularly seemed like a good fit because it is an established brand and I knew the frozen yogurt industry was on the rise.

Why did you choose an opportunity with TCBY?

I believe TCBY offers the best product available for the industry. The taste of the product and its historical reputation strongly appeal to me. The previous owners were active, but I felt I could contribute more and be more hands-on reaching out to the community.

Are you involved with any charities or do any community outreach with your business?

We are just getting going, but we did give out gift cards about three weeks ago to the community. Our goal is to get more involved especially with so many community focal points around us, such as schools and hospitals.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

I come from a line of entrepreneurs with my grandfather and dad in franchising; it’s almost in my blood. I was working in the corporate arena and at some point knew I’d branch out on my own. My dad had a deli and gas station growing up and I would help him at the stores. It was more about making the decision to go into it and build something for myself.

Do you have any superstar employees? What is their story?

We’ve been lucky enough to be able to keep the previous staff in place. They have done a great job with the transition and I know we can really take this business to the next level.

What are your expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with TCBY?

We’re going to see how the spring and summer goes, and then look at possibly opening one or two additional stores. 

TCBY Launches Wildberry Greek, featured in QSR Magazine

TCBY was featured in QSR Magazine this week for its newest flavor announcement, Wildberry Greek Frozen Yogurt. Launching just in time for the first day of summer, it is available in stores today! To add even more healthy, fresh summer flavors to its menu, Wildberry Greek has twice as much fiber, is packed with protein and calcium. If you are looking for a healthier option, drop in and let us know what you think!

Read article from QSR.com here.

TCBY Introduces a Healthy Fro-Yo Option

Made with creamy satisfying Greek yogurt, TCBY’s newest flavor, Wildberry Greek, is a protein-packed brand of frozen yogurt. The refreshing summertime treat is available in all TCBY locations on the first day of summer, June 21.

“Wildberry Greek is loaded with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries making it a deliciously healthy way to cool down during the hot summer months ahead,” says Neal Courtney, interim CEO of TCBY’s parent company, Famous Brands International. Wildberry Greek is only 110 calories per four-ounce serving, and provides eight grams of protein and four grams of fiber.

TCBY continues to build on the success of its first-to-market Greek frozen yogurt. Wildberry Greek makes for a perfect meal replacement. One 10-ounce serving of Wildberry Greek has twice the fiber (10 grams), 10 percent more protein (20 grams), 67 percent more calcium, and more than double the daily value of vitamins D and A, and calcium, than a 6-inch sub from a large national sandwich chain.

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Free TCBY? Yep, for all Dad's on Father's Day

Haven't got your Father's Day gift yet? Not to worry! Make sure you stop by TCBY on Sunday, May 16th, to get your Dad six ounces of Free Frozen Yogurt...on the house! Check out the latest article in USA Today discussing all of those free presents for Dad this weekend. Look's like we just helped you plan exactly what you should be taking Dad to do this weekend.

See the full article here.

Father's Day restaurant freebies on the rise

Knowing that Dad would probably rather flip burgers on the grill, restaurant chains are offering freebies to lure in Father's Day business.

Father's Day means many things. Pathetic ties. Neon-green sweaters that sag in all the wrong spots. And, increasingly, for brands looking for a larger share of stomachs: free eats for Dad.

Some familiar restaurant brands, including Shoney's, TCBY, Spaghetti Warehouse, Buca di Beppo and Hooters, will be doling out free food around Father's Day, hoping that no-cost or low-cost meals in a tough economy will lure guests who might not otherwise walk in the door. Unlike some other annual celebrations, notably, Veteran's Day and Mother's Day, when free food offerings have become annual rituals, Father's Day is just beginning to emerge as an excuse by food purveyors to induce frugal consumers to spend the holiday with them.

The problem: Father's Day isn't traditionally a big day for the restaurant industry, when many dads would rather be flipping burgers on the grill. "Mother's Day is often positioned as a splurge day, but, for some reason, children are not expected to treat their fathers on Father's Day," says marketing consultant Tracey Riese....

• Yogurt cup. Dads get free, six-ounce cups -- and at some stores, cones -- of TCBY frozen yogurt. Many associate frozen yogurt more with female customers, so TCBY is reaching out to dads on Father's Day, says Dustin Finkel, senior director at Famous Brands, which owns TCBY.

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