In the summer of 2011, self-described entrepreneur Brian Petruzzi was looking to start a new business. After a trip to California and a few subsequent visits to frozen yogurt stores of the Northeast U.S., Petruzzi was convinced that he had discovered a better approach to the next best thing. Brian’s brainchild business – YoGo Factory – opened its flagship store in Galloway Township on July 20th of 2011. Today, just over one year later, the YoGo Factory brand thrives in nineteen locations throughout three states and continues to expand extremely rapidly with no sign of stopping.
Petruzzi graduated from Stockton College with a double major in business and biology and has run his own businesses since age 19. Petruzzi’s past ventures include a graphic design firm, tanning salons, and a movie rental shop. But the YOGO Factory brand was an entirely new business arena for Brian. After taking note of the sweeping success of the original frozen yogurt stores of the West Coast, Petruzzi saw great growth potential in this increasingly popular product.
While California Frozen Yogurt inspired YoGo’s creation, Petruzzi fine-tuned the concept ultimately producing a more enjoyable yogurt and a more enjoyable dining experience. The self-serve style of the store leaves the creative process to customers themselves. With over 50 flavors and over 50 toppings, there are literally thousands of combinations to choose from.
As for quality, YoGo never uses any form of powdered mix. Their yogurts are produced in a state-of-the-art production facility in Portland, Oregon, that manufactures “true” frozen yogurt. It is carefully crafted to contain high levels of beneficial live and active yogurt cultures. These cultures are probiotic and are considered beneficial to the intestinal tract of the human body in order to insure proper balance needed for digestion and good health. With the exception of only a handful of flavors, all YoGo Frozen Yogurt is entirely gluten free.
YoGo offers a rotation of 52 non fat unique sweet and tart flavors such as Georgia Peach, Root Beer Float, Chocolate Mint, Cookies and Cream, Raspberry Tart, Blueberry Acai, and Pomegranate Raspberry. The low fat yogurt options such as Rocky Road, White Chocolate Mousse, Dulce de Leche, Reese’s Peanut Butter, and Cupcake offer customers the decadent taste of premium ice cream at a fraction of the calories. Those of a sugar-free diet can enjoy YoGo No Sugar Added flavors such as Blueberry, Strawberry Banana, Cheesecake, Coffee, Raspberry, and Praline. YoGo has a flavor variety you truly have to see to believe…
Its 50+ toppings in the do-it-yourself store format take this dessert variety over top. From Andes mints to Babe Ruth to Snickers bars, your favorite chocolate topping is no doubt available. From granola to pretzels to nuts, there are dozens of savory dry toppings to choose from. For a unique twist, top your fro-yo with your favorite cereal – Lucky Charms Frosted Flakes, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and more. Don’t forget to stop by YoGo’s cold bar to add some fresh bananas, blackberries, cookie dough, strawberries, pineapple, peaches, and more to your yogurt creation. YoGo Factory’s Toppings selection brings new meaning to the phrase “endless possibilities”…
While YoGo competitors operate 800 to 1000 square-foot stores, Brian Petruzzi has designed a much more spacious, inviting layout for a YoGo Factory store. The standard YoGo store spans 3000 sqaure feet, seats up to 70 customers, and offers large wrap-around booths where families are invited to sit and stay while. YoGo Factory locations offer free WiFi, making YoGo the new and improved form of a friendly neighborhood café. Further, YoGo becomes actively involved in the neighborhood and community of store locations. Petruzzi loves to support YoGo Factory surrounding areas and has sponsored youth programs in soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey, football, and more.
Join the thousands and thousands of loyal YoGo fans along the east coast and become a part of this unique do-it-yourself dessert experience at Cape May County’s own YoGo Factory locations in Rio Grande, Wildwood, and Ocean City.
838 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ, 609-391-9646
3812 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ
3301 Route 9 South, Unit T-11, Rio Grande, NJ, 609-465-YOGO
By Megan Kummer