Red Mango, the No. 1 Zagat-rated frozen yogurt and smoothies chain in America, enjoyed a record year for franchise development in 2011.
The company awarded agreements for more than 70 new domestic locations, expanded the chain from 102 to 151 open stores, and added the states of Connecticut, South Dakota, and Tennessee to the roster for stores in development.
Growth in North America also included the first international development agreement for Red Mango. Under an exclusive arrangement, Cinemex, a leading national chain with 184 movie theaters operating across Mexico, will develop and open Red Mango stores in Mexico starting in 2012.
The yogurt and smoothie retailer also awarded master license deals to foodservice operators HMSHost and ARAMARK in 2011. When combined with existing agreements with Sodexo and Compass, Red Mango now has relationships with four of the world's major food service operators to develop an undisclosed number of additional Red Mango locations throughout the United States.
Red Mango also teamed up with two NCAA Division I athletic programs in 2011, building on its reputation for being the healthiest in its category. The company now serves its signature smoothies to athletes at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and its award-winning frozen yogurt to Mizzou athletes in Columbia, Missouri.
"It was an incredible year, building on our national success, solidifying our first international agreement, championing our healthy position in the industry, and awarding deals that will continue to deliver the Red Mango brand to a growing audience," says Barry M. Barron Sr., CEO of Red Mango.
Red Mango credits the achievements to consumers who want healthier food options as well as business owners who want to be associated with a sophisticated frozen yogurt brand. In addition to being named the number No. 1 smoothie and yogurt chain in America and No. 1 for healthy options in Zagat's 2011 National Chain Restaurants Survey, Red Mango was named one of the "10 Promising Franchises of 2011" by Inc.com.