First Ocean Blue Frozen Yogurt: “Tasted And Approved” By Mesa Residents

Ocean Blue Frozen Yogurt has been “tasted and approved” by residents in Mesa where it recently opened its first unit over the summer. Expansion and projected sales for this franchise will continue to grow, regardless of our nation’s current economic crunch.

So, what sets this concept apart from other frozen yogurt shops in the industry? When it comes to the success or failure of new businesses during times of economic recession, there are several things to consider. The frozen dessert market itself is estimated to grow by more than $4 billion to a total of $27.6 billion by 2012, according to statistical data provided by Ocean Blue Frozen Yogurt franchisors. In order to measure the projected sales for Ocean Blue as well as its success in competition with other prominent frozen dessert brands such as Cold Stone, Golden Spoon, or even Starbucks, customers obviously need a reason to branch out from their everyday favorite “sugar highs” and feel motivated to try something new. The creators of Ocean Blue have promoted their product by combining a great taste with real health benefits. Consequently, as America has shifted its appetite to becoming a more health-conscious nation as a whole, it’s safe to say that a new frozen dessert concept that promotes the satisfaction of combining great taste with nutritional value can expect to do well.

“I think Ocean Blue has the potential to truly be the wave of the future,” said Chelci Vaughan, 19, a local consumer and resident of Mesa.

Ocean Blue caters to a healthy lifestyle with its “high live-culture count and by using fructose instead of sugar,” said Eric Solheim in a phone interview. Solheim is one of the owners of Ocean Blue Frozen Yogurt along with co-owners Doug Landvatter and Steve Lutzow. They made no mistake when they built their first location in the same complex as a Sonic Drive-In and a Mountainside Fitness Center on the Northeast Corner of Brown Rd. and Greenfield Rd. in Mesa.

Since the store’s soft opening on June 27, 2008 and its grand opening a few weeks later in July, the owners have already made plans to open new locations statewide, and they have engaged PowerHouse Franchising to represent their regional development opportunity.

“Typically, entrepreneurs look to franchising when the economy goes down,” said Ren Waters, a principal of PowerHouse Franchising.

“More people are looking for innovative ways to make money and invest.”  In fact, in comparison to other companies like Starbucks, which closed over 600 stores nationwide as a result of the economic recession, Solheim said, “the cost is a lot less.” He explained that the difference is the average price of Ocean Blue’s products ranging from $3-4, while Starbucks ranges from $5-8.

“By the end of this year we hope to have three to four stores open,” said Solheim. On October 15, 2008, Ocean Blue will celebrate the soft opening for its second store in Mesa at Dana Park on Val Vista and Baseline. Solheim also mentioned plans for a third store opening up in November at the Westgate Town Center near Glendale arena.

For their upcoming grand openings, Ocean Blue will be raising money for the Anasazi Foundation, a non-profit organization that serves as an intervention resource to help restore and strengthen parent-child relationships. Ocean Blue will be selling $20 gift cards and donating 50 percent of the profits to the Anasazi Foundation.

Guest article contributed by Anais G. Durney
Student, Arizona State University

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