Red Mango announced a record year of franchise expansion in 2010. The company awarded agreements for 147 new locations, opened 62 new stores, and grew the network to 102 total open stores across 25 states.
"We turned tradition upside down in 2010," says Dan Kim, founder and chief concept officer of Red Mango. "We grew a national chain in a down economy, and we did it without sacrificing our commitment to delivering the most nutritious and delicious menu items to consumers who are increasingly demanding healthier foods."
“It was an incredible year of exceeding expectations, entering 12 new states, revolutionizing our format for delivering product, and going where the demand exists,” says James Franks, vice president of franchising for Red Mango.
Red Mango began the year with an expanded opportunity that now includes traditional stores, self-serve stores, kiosks, cobranded opportunities, and master license agreements. That flexibility delivered Red Mango to new venues and new audiences, including airports, college campuses, sporting arenas, and more.
The chain's growth was matched by Red Mango's menu expansion that now offers more than 40 flavors of frozen yogurt, made-to-order fruit and yogurt parfaits, and probiotic iced teas, and by the company's successful entry into the smoothie business with more than 20 smoothies that are made with fresh fruit that's never frozen, sweetened with all-natural stevia, and fortified with a patented type of probiotics that can help improve immune and digestive health.
Red Mango credits the achievement to consumers who want healthier food options as well as business owners who want successful investment opportunities. The company predicts to double the size of the network in 2011 and is on track to open 24 more stores in the first quarter alone.