FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Cafe announced expansion plans with its newest master franchisee, Kaled Mourad and his wife, Amani, who have purchased the master franchise rights for Tulsa, Oklahoma–based FreshBerry in the countries of Panama, Columbia, Peru, and Ecuador. Kaled Mourad anticipates the agreement to result in over 100 locations and create more than 1,000 jobs throughout South America.
“This is a milestone for our company and something I am extremely proud of,” says David Rutkauskas, founder of FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Cafe. “Our partnership with Kaled and his wife, Amani, means that FreshBerry will have expansive growth and will be in good hands in South America.”
The landmark deal was finalized in July of 2014 and represents a significant effort to extend Freshberry’s reach internationally. While currently in the middle of an aggressive Middle East expansion, the chain has 40 locations open with 50 more opening soon throughout the Middle East. FreshBerry fully expects to have over 150 international locations open within 48 months.
“Our strategy to expand internationally has been a winning formula, especially recently,” Rutkauskas says. “Frozen Yogurt growth is currently tepid in the USA because of saturation which is why we are seeing so much consolidation. Our focus on our Freshberry franchise worldwide is what makes our company so unique, and I think will prove hugely successful over the coming years.”
