FRESHBERRY Franchise Closures
January 11, 2013
FreshBerry frozen yogurt franchise opportunity is aggressively marketed and sold by Beautiful Brands International (BBI).
In our opinion, Beautiful Brands has done a masterful job getting publications such as Tulsa World, QSR & Fast Casual to promote FreshBerry as a franchise success story.
However, it appears to UnhappyFranchisee.Com that BBI has sold hundreds of FreshBerry franchises that have not opened – and likely never will.
It also appears to us that the number of U.S. FreshBerry locations that have opened and closed is nearly the same as the number of FreshBerrys that are still open for business.
Of course, we are drawing this information from publicly available sources (the company franchise disclosure document, websites, articles). We have asked the company for verification of accuracy and completeness, but have not yet heard back from them.
Almost as many U.S. FreshBerrys have closed as are currently open, it seems
According to the 2012 FreshBerry Franchise Disclosure Document, the total investment necessary to open a FreshBerry franchise unit is $165,750 to $386,200, including a $25,000 franchise fee and a $5,000 to $6,000 for materials, payable to BBI.
Each FreshBerry franchise closure potentially could represent the loss of the approximately $165,750 to $386,200 initial investment, and also the capital added while trying to keep the business open, a settlement with the landlord on the remaining lease term, and other expenses and liabilities. It could mean personal bankruptcy and loss of assets and credit scores for the franchisee.
Investigation by UnhappyFranchisee.Com has revealed that the number of FreshBerry franchises that have closed is approaching the number that are open:
| FreshBerry Stores Open (US)* | Freshberry Stores Closed (US)* |
| CA Bakersfield | AZ Scottsdale |
| CA Fremont | CA Carson City |
| CA Roseville | CO Denver |
| FL Hialeah | FL Orlando |
| FL Miami (Flagler St.) | FL Wellington |
| FL S. Miami (SW 57th Ave) | LA Marrero |
| IL Chicago (E. Ontario) | NC Charlotte |
| NV Reno | NC Mooresville |
| NV Sparks | NC Raleigh (Six Forks Rd.) |
| NC Raleigh (Hillsborough St.) | OK Jenks |
| NC Wilmington | OK Stillwater |
| OK Tulsa (11085 S. Memorial) | TX Dallas (Park Lane) |
| SC Charleston | TX Houston (Vintage Pk Blvd) |
| SC Mount Pleasant | |
| SD Rapid City | |
| TX Farmer’s Branch/Dallas | |
| Updated 1/10/13 |
Hundreds of FreshBerry franchises were reportedly sold, but not opened
For the past few years, we have read the gleeful announcements of huge expansion deals and franchise packages sold by Beautiful Brands, yet haven’t seen much about the franchise units ever opening.
On 12/23/09, QSR wrote that BBI announced that it would be expanding into Virginia & Maryland through a 100 unit franchise expansion deal.
“Virginia and Maryland are a big part of our overall expansion strategy,” David Rutkauskas, Beautiful Brands founder, president, and CEO, was quoted as saying.
As of 1/10/13, the number of FreshBerry locations open in Virginia and Maryland is 0.
April 1, 2010, BBI announced a franchise deal to open 275 Freshberry franchises and 275 Rex’s Chicken franchises throughout throughout Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, and Arkansas.
“Without a doubt, this is the largest deal in BBI’s history,” David Rutkauskas told QSR magazine. “The appeal of both concepts tops the charts as golden opportunity franchises and solid investments in two clearly defined industry segments.”
As of 1/10/13, the number of FreshBerry locations open in Oklahoma (1), Colorado (0), New Mexico (0), Kansas (0), Missouri (0), Texas (1), and Arkansas (0) is 2.
Rex’s Chicken has 1 company store in OK, and 0 in the other states mentioned.
6/17/10, BBI announced “a major five-state development deal between BBI and Frozen Dreams Franchise Group (FDFG), which calls for at least 300 new FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Cafés within Central California, Northern California, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, and Utah. “
QSR quoted David Rutkauskas as saying “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Frozen Dreams to reach this geographical milestone and continue making our western growth strategy a sweet success.”
As of 1/10/13, two and a half years later, the number of FreshBerry locations open in California (3), Arizona (0), Nevada (2), Idaho (0), and Utah (0) is 5.
In 2010 & 2011, QSR magazine repeatedly reported that Beautiful Brands International had more than 1000 FreshBerry franchises “in development.”
As of 1/10/13, the FreshBerry website lists 16 U.S. Freshberry locations and 26 International FreshBerry locations: a total of 42 locations.
What happened to the more than 958 locations that were announced, then never mentioned again?
UnhappyFranchisee.Com extends its condolences and best wishes to the owners and staff of the closed FreshBerry franchises, and to the investors in FreshBerry franchises that never opened.
* Estimated, as of 1/10/13. We have asked the company for verification of accuracy and completeness, but have not yet heard back from them.
ALSO read about CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closures 2012
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DISCLAIMER: Our posts contain the personal opinions of UnhappyFranchisee.Com, based on publicly available information… and we could be wrong about anything and everything. We invite our readers and the companies we discuss to set us right.
TAGS: FreshBerry, FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt, FreshBerry franchise, FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Franchise, Froyo, Froyo franchise, Frozen Yogurt franchise, Beautiful Brands International, David Rutkauskas, franchise failures, franchise closures, franchise graveyard, Unhappy Franchisee, QSR magazine, Fast Casual, Tulsa World
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closures 2012
January 11, 2013
CherryBerry frozen yogurt franchise store closures included at least 11 locations, about 9% of all CherryBerry stores by our estimation.
(UnhappyFranchisee.Com) And at least 8 CherryBerry franchise locations (including some of the closed stores) are listed for sale at significantly less than the estimated initial investments of $224,500 to $354,000 per store.
The store closures included CherryBerry locations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.
The average lifespan of the stores that closed is estimated at 16 months.
The CherryBerry website lists 108 locations open, with 31 listed as coming soon.
Beautiful Brands has stated that more than 250 additional CherryBerry franchises have been sold1.
(Beautiful Brands has also stated that more than 1000 of its Freshberry frozen yogurt franchises are in development.
As of 1/10/13, the Freshberry website lists only 42 locations as open)
These are unofficial numbers compiled from publicly available sources. We have asked the company for verification, and await their response.
CherryBerry is being portrayed as a success story
CherryBerry frozen yogurt was founded by Dallas & Robyn Jones in 2010.
The Jones’ first offered licenses to own and operate CherryBerry frozen yogurt stores from August, 2010 to June, 2011.
They sold 73 licenses to own Cherryberry stores. In May, 2011, only 21 of those Cherryberry licensed stores were open and operational2.
In July, 2011, the Jones formed CherryBerry Enterprises LLC and signed on as a “partner brand” with Tulsa-based Beautiful Brands International (BBI).
Beautiful Brands International aggressively markets and sells the CherryBerry frozen yogurt franchise opportunity as well as its own FreshBerry frozen yogurt franchise opportunity.
CHERRYBERRY Store Closures 2012*
| Location | Opened | Closed | Duration |
| AR Fayetteville | Apr. 2010 | Dec. 2012 | 32 Months |
| KS Derby | May 2011 | Dec. 2012 | 19 months |
| MO Blue Springs | Oct. 2011 | Nov. 2012 | 14 months |
| MO Springfield | May 2011 | Jul. 2012 | 14 months |
| OK Sand Springs | Jan. 2011 | Dec. 2012 | 14 months |
| OK Claremore | Nov. 2011 | Dec. 2012 | 13 months |
| TX Clear Lake | Sep. 2011 | Sep. 2012 | 13 months |
| TX Conroe | Nov. 2011 | Dec. 2012 | 13 months |
| TX Pasadena | Mar. 2011 | Nov. 2012 | 19 months |
| TX Pearland | Nov. 2011 | Nov. 2012 | 13 months |
| TX Tomball | Jul. 2011 | Nov. 2012 | 16 months |
| Average: | 16 months |
CherryBerry franchises listed at firesale prices
According to the 2012 CherryBerry Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), the estimated initial investment for opening a CherryBerry franchise is $224,500 to $354,0002.
The Muskogee, OK CherryBerry franchise is listed with a broker for just $165,000.
7 Texas CherryBerry franchise locations are being offered at a discount, bundled price of $985,000, which reflects an average price of just $140,000 per location3.
| CherryBerry Location for sale* | Opened | Status | Asking Price |
| OK Muskogee | Nov. 2011 | Open | $165,000 |
| TX Clear Lake | Sep. 2011 | Closed | $60,000 |
| TX Conroe | Nov. 2011 | Closed | $75,000 |
| TX Pasadena | Mar. 2011 | Closed | $125,000 |
| TX Pearland | Nov. 2011 | Closed | $75,000 |
| TX Tomball | Jul. 2011 | Closed | $125,000 |
| TX Lake Jackson | Apr. 2011 | Open | $200,000 |
| TX Victoria | Open | $325,000 | |
| Average: | $143,750 |
UnhappyFranchisee.Com extends its condolences and best wishes to the owners and staff of the closed CherryBerry franchises/licensed stores, and wishes current owners the best of luck and future success.
* Estimated, as of 1/10/13. We have asked the company for verification of accuracy and completeness, but have not yet heard back from them.
1 QSR magazine 4/25/12, 8/30/12, 10/30/12
2 2012 CherryBerry Franchise Disclosure Document
3 Commercial Gateway broker listing
ARE YOU A CHERRYBERRY FRANCHISE OWNER OR FRANCHISEE?
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TAGS: CherryBerry, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt, CherryBerry license, CherryBerry franchise, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt Franchise, open a CherryBerry, Froyo, Froyo franchise, Frozen Yogurt franchise, Beautiful Brands International, Dallas Jones, Robyn Jones, David Rutkauskas, franchise failures, franchise closures, franchise graveyard, Unhappy Franchisee, CherryBerry Texas, CherryBerry Oklahoma
BEAUTIFUL BRANDS FreshBerry Smallcakes Franchise Closes
January 8, 2013
Beautiful Brands International’s (BBI) FreshBerry & Smallcakes franchise in Charlotte, North Carolina closed its doors, according to the Charlotte Observer.
The cobranded FreshBerry & Smallcakes franchise, (still listed on the FreshBerry website as located at 1300 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC) closed Sunday, December 16, 2012.
The Beautiful Brands International’s (BBI) franchise location was owned by veteran franchisee Nick Smith, who has been successful with such franchises as Moe’s Southwest Grill and Jersey Mike’s.
The failure of the FreshBerry & Smallcakes franchise was due to “slow traffic,” according to the observer story.
BBI CEO David Rutkauskas claims BBI’s franchise brands are “performing beautifully.”
David Rutkauskas, CEO of franchisor Beautiful Brands International’s (BBI), claimed in a recent QSR article that ““Despite the downturn economy, our brands are performing beautifully and experiencing explosive growth every day…”
However, UnhappyFranchisee.Com has found evidence of a number of BBI franchise brands, namely CherryBerry frozen yogurt and Freshberry frozen yogurt franchises have suffered numerous store closures.
BBI claims that since January 2012, they have sold more than 500 franchised units worldwide.
We ask: How many of these franchise locations will actually open?
How many of those that open will survive the length of their franchise agreements?
Read more about recent Beautiful Brands store closures:
CHERRYBERRY Frozen Yogurt Franchise Closure: Pearland, Texas
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Blue Springs, Missouri
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Springfield, Missouri
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Sand Springs, Oklahoma
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Fayetteville, AR
CHERRYBERRY Texas Franchise Failures
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Claremore, Oklahoma
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closes, Cites Poor Sales
UnhappyFranchisee.Com extends its condolences and best wishes to the owners and staff of the closed CherryBerry franchises.
ARE YOU A FRESHBERRY FRANCHISE OWNER OR SMALLCAKES FRANCHISEE?
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH BEAUTIFUL BRANDS FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES?
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TAGS: FreshBerry, FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt, FreshBerry franchise, FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Franchise, Froyo, Froyo franchise, Frozen Yogurt franchise, Beautiful Brands International, David Rutkauskas, franchise failures, franchise closures, franchise graveyard, Unhappy Franchisee, Freshberry Charlotte NC, Smallcakes franchise, Nick Smith
CHERRYBERRY Frozen Yogurt Franchise Closure: Pearland, Texas
January 7, 2013
The CherryBerry frozen yogurt franchise in Pearland, Texas opened in November, 2011.
It closed its doors for good in November, 2012, just a year later.
The Pearland CherryBerry cost an estimated $300,000* to open.
A little over a year later, it’s listed for sale for just $75,000.
* According to the 2012 CherryBerry franchise disclosure document, each CherryBerry franchise location requires an initial investment between $224,500 to $354,000.
Why did the CherryBerry frozen yogurt franchise fail in just a year?
It looks like an attractive shop.
The staff seemed lively and fun.
And there was no shortage of creative promotions:
T-Shirt Tuesday.
Bracelet Wednesday.
FaceBook promotions.
They even tried Latin Dance lessons on Thursday nights.
Unfortunately, the Pearland Texas CherryBerry appears to be undone by the same foe that has caused about a dozen CherryBerry franchises to close in recent months:
Just not enough business.
[Photo, above. is from the Commgate real estate listing. CherryBerry Pearland is listed for sale at $75,000. 7 Texas locations are listed as a bundle for $985,000 - less than half the cost to build.]
Read more about other recent CherryBerry frozen yogurt franchise closings:
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Blue Springs, Missouri
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Springfield, Missouri
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Sand Springs, Oklahoma
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Fayetteville, AR
CHERRYBERRY Texas Franchise Failures
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Claremore, Oklahoma
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closes, Cites Poor Sales
UnhappyFranchisee.Com extends its condolences and best wishes to the owners and staff of the closed Pearland, Texas CherryBerry franchise.
ARE YOU A CHERRYBERRY FRANCHISE OWNER OR FRANCHISEE? ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE CHERRYBERRY FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY OR BEAUTIFUL BRANDS? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
TAGS: CherryBerry, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt, CherryBerry franchise, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt Franchise, Froyo, Froyo franchise, Frozen Yogurt franchise, Beautiful Brands International, Dallas Jones, Robyn Jones, David Rutkauskas, franchise failures, franchise closures, franchise graveyard, Unhappy Franchisee, John Shutt, Travis Phillips of Phillips & Shutt Holdings L.L.C., Pearland Texas CherryBerry, Pearland TX
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Blue Springs, Missouri
January 6, 2013
The CherryBerry franchise location in Blue Springs, Missouri has closed… less than a year after opening.
According to the 2012 CherryBerry franchise disclosure document, each CherryBerry franchise location requires an initial investment between $224,500 to $354,000.
Our condolences go out to the CherryBerry franchise owners who invested in the Blue Springs, MO CherryBerry, which was shuttered in just 11 months.
Our condolences also go out to the franchise investors of the other CherryBerry locations to close in recent months, including
the Conroe, Clear Lake (Webster), Pasadena, and Tomball CherryBerrys in Texas,
the Springfield CherryBerry in Missouri,
the Cherryberrys in Derby, Kansas,
the Claremore and Sand Springs CherryBerrys in Oklahoma, and
the CherryBerry in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
CherryBerry Blue Springs, Missouri
Oct. 23., 2011 – Nov. 3, 2012
Read about recent CherryBerry franchise closures here:
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Springfield, Missouri
CHERRYBERRY Texas Franchise Failures
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Claremore, Oklahoma
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closes, Cites Poor Sales
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Fayetteville, AR
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Sand Springs, Oklahoma
UnhappyFranchisee.Com wishes the franchise owners and staff of the Blue Springs, MO CherryBerry the best of luck with all future endeavors.
ARE YOU A CHERRYBERRY FRANCHISE OWNER OR FRANCHISEE? ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE CHERRYBERRY FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY OR BEAUTIFUL BRANDS? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
TAGS: CherryBerry, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt, CherryBerry franchise, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt Franchise, Froyo, Froyo franchise, Frozen Yogurt franchise, Beautiful Brands International, Dallas Jones, Robyn Jones, David Rutkauskas, franchise failures, franchise closures, franchise graveyard, Unhappy Franchisee, Blue Springs Missouri, CherryBerry Blue Springs MO
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Springfield, Missouri
January 6, 2013
The CherryBerry frozen yogurt franchise location in Springfield, Missouri has closed.
(UnhappyFranchisee.Com) The CherryBerry location, which required an initial investment between $200,000 and $300,000 was open just 15 months.
In June, 2011, the Springfield Business Journal reported:
“CherryBerry Self-Serve Yogurt Bar
“Patrick and Christina Tasset opened CherryBerry Self-Serve Yogurt Bar on May 20 at 4127 S. Kansas Expressway, Ste. 124.
“The yogurt bar is one of 22 in the nation and is independently owned by the Tassets, who pay a licensing fee for the store, which started in Broken Arrow, Okla.
“Christina Tasset said the startup cost for the business was between $200,000 and $300,000.
“The couple, who employ 12 at the 2,800-square-foot facility, received a U.S. Small Business Administration-backed loan through Triad Bank in Tulsa, Okla., for an undisclosed amount, Christina Tasset said.
“CherryBerry yogurt is 39 cents per ounce and made from real dairy products and all natural ingredients, Christina Tasset said.
“Tasset said CherryBerry also offers a free party room for birthday parties.”
CherryBerry of Springfield, Missouri Survived 15 Months
May 5, 2011 – July 23, 2012
The farewell FaceBook post read, in part:
We have CLOSED! It was a hard decision for us, but it was one we truly had to make.
Thank you to our employees who are truly the BEST on the planet!
Thank you to all our wonderfully loyal customers!!
… Thank you!!!
.
The Springfield, MO CherryBerry is one of at least 10 CherryBerry franchises to close in recent months.
Read about recent CherryBerry franchise closures here:
CHERRYBERRY Texas Franchise Failures
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Claremore, Oklahoma
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closes, Cites Poor Sales
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Fayetteville, AR
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Sand Springs, Oklahoma
UnhappyFranchisee.Com sends Patrick andChristina Tasset and their staff our condolences on the closing of their franchise, and wishes them the best of luck with all future endeavors.
ARE YOU A CHERRYBERRY FRANCHISE OWNER OR FRANCHISEE? ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE CHERRYBERRY FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY OR BEAUTIFUL BRANDS? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
TAGS: CherryBerry, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt, CherryBerry franchise, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt Franchise, Froyo, Froyo franchise, Frozen Yogurt franchise, Beautiful Brands International, Dallas Jones, Robyn Jones, David Rutkauskas, franchise failures, franchise closures, franchise graveyard, Unhappy Franchisee, Springfield Missouri, CherryBerry Springfield MO, Patrick Tasset, Christina Tasset
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Sand Springs, Oklahoma
January 6, 2013
The CherryBerry frozen yogurt franchise location in Sand Springs, Oklahoma has closed.
CherryBerry Sand Springs is just one of a number of CherryBerry franchise locations that have succumbed to what seems like a froyo franchise meltdown.
Other CherryBerry locations to close in recent months include:
Conroe, Clear Lake (Webster), Pasadena, and Tomball CherryBerrys in Texas,
Blue Springs and Springfield CherryBerrys in Missouri,
Derby, Kansas,
Claremore, Oklahoma, and
Fayetteville, Arkansas.
According to the Facebook post by CherryBerry Sand Springs “Unfortunately, this business isn’t doing great anywhere right now.”
Read about recent CherryBerry franchise closures here:
CHERRYBERRY Texas Franchise Failures
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Claremore, Oklahoma
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closes, Cites Poor Sales
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Fayetteville, AR
CherryBerry Sand Springs, OK Jan. 2011 – Dec. 2012
The CherryBerry in Sand Springs, OK stayed open for nearly 24 months, longer than other recently closed CherryBerry locations that averaged about 16 months.
The Sand Springs CherryBerry was owned and operated by franchisees Darin & Pam Shipley.
UnhappyFranchisee.Com sends the Shipley family and staff our condolences on the closing of their franchise, and wishes them the best of luck with all future endeavors.
ARE YOU A CHERRYBERRY FRANCHISE OWNER OR FRANCHISEE? ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE CHERRYBERRY FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY OR BEAUTIFUL BRANDS? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
TAGS: CherryBerry, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt, CherryBerry franchise, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt Franchise, Froyo, Froyo franchise, Frozen Yogurt franchise, Beautiful Brands International, Dallas Jones, Robyn Jones, David Rutkauskas, franchise failures, franchise closures, franchise graveyard, Unhappy Franchisee, Sand Springs Oklahoma, CherryBerry Sand Springs, Darin Shipley, Pam Shipley
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Fayetteville, AR
January 6, 2013
CherryBerry frozen yogurt has suffered another in a string of franchise failures with the closing of its Fayetteville, Arkansas CherryBerry.
(UnhappyFranchisee.Com) According to its Facebook page, the Fayetteville CherryBerry first opened April 9, 2010.
We could find no formal announcement of the store closing, but the CherryBerry website, maintained by Beautiful Brands International (BBI) no longer lists a Fayetteville, AR location.
Customers were evidently left to figure it out themselves.
“Does anyone know if this place is closed or not?” Jodie Elenbarger wrote on December 18, 2012.
“I just stopped by to have some fro yo and the sign said that they are closed! I hope it’s not for good,” wrote Kristie Michelle Flournoy.
“I heard from a credible source that they are permanently closed unless someone buys,” wrote Emilie C.
Earlier chatter indicated that the Fayetteville CherryBerry may have closed as early as mid-November, 2012, planned to reopen, and then never did.
Beautiful Brands International, the company that markets and aggressively sells CherryBerry and FreshBerry franchises regularly promotes the number of franchises it sells, but does not seem to ever announce or comment on its closures.
Lately, there seems to be a number of CherryBerry failures, some of which we have reported here:
CHERRYBERRY Texas Franchise Failures
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Claremore, Oklahoma
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closes, Cites Poor Sales
Are you familiar with any CherryBerry store closure? Please share a comment below.
UnhappyFranchisee.Com extends its condolences and best wishes to the owners and staff of the closed Fayetteville CherryBerry.
ARE YOU A CHERRYBERRY FRANCHISE OWNER OR FRANCHISEE? ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE CHERRYBERRY FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY OR BEAUTIFUL BRANDS? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
TAGS: CherryBerry, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt, CherryBerry franchise, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt Franchise, Froyo, Froyo franchise, Frozen Yogurt franchise, Beautiful Brands International, Dallas Jones, Robyn Jones, David Rutkauskas, franchise failures, franchise closures, franchise graveyard, Unhappy Franchisee, Fayetteville Arkansas CherryBerry
CHERRYBERRY Texas Franchise Failures
January 6, 2013
The CherryBerry frozen yogurt franchise owner for Texas has apparently closed four stores in the past six months.
(UnhappyFranchisee.Com)According to Corporation Wiki, John J. Shutt & Travis R. Phillips of Phillips & Shutt Holdings L.L.C. own the CherryBerry franchises in Clear Lake (Webster), Pasadena, Tomball, and Conroe, Texas.
The Facebook pages of all four locations indicate that they cased operations an average of 16 months after opening.
Franchisees Shutt & Phillips appear to still have operating CherryBerry locations in Lake Jackson, Pearland and Victoria, Texas.
Despite the closures and evidence that the self-serve frozen yogurt market is saturated, Beautiful Brands (BBI) is aggressively selling both CherryBerry franchises and Freshberry franchises as a great business opportunity.
Recently, David Rutkauskas, BBI founder and CEO stated “our brands are performing beautifully and experiencing explosive growth every day.”
CherryBerry Clear Lake (Webster), Texas – 13 months
Sept. 2011 – Sept. 2012
September 26, 2012, the Pasadena, TX CherryBerry posted a Facebook message announcing that its sister franchise in Clear Lake, Texas was closing “due to lack of business.”
Two months later, the Pasadena, TX location would announce that it was closing as well.
.
.
.
CherryBerry Pasadena, Texas – 20 months
Mar. 2011 – Nov. 2012
CherryBerry in Pasadena, TX announced its closing on November 21, 2012, just 20 months after opening.
Its Facebook page documents its life as a franchise, starting with its 2011 “Coming Soon” banner and construction photos and concluding with its 2012 farewell message.
.
CherryBerry Tomball, Texas – 17 months
Jul. 2011 – Nov. 2012
The CherryBerry franchise location in Tomball, TX appears to have closed quietly in November, 2012.
According to it Facebook page, the Tomball CherryBerry opened in July, 2011.
In February, 2012 CherryBerry Tomball dispelled early rumors that it had closed.
In November, customers complained that it was closed, a fellow Cherryberry franchise (from Claremore, OK) asked if it was closed and another poster confirmed it.
Just one month later, the CherryBerry in Claremore, OK would close as well.
(Read CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Claremore, Oklahoma )
CherryBerry Conroe, Texas – 14 months
Nov. 2011 – Dec. 2012
Ryan Sirois, General Manager, left this heartfelt goodbye from the cherryBerry in Conroe, Texas:
“Dear CherryBerry Fans, I regret to inform you that we are now closed down. Business has been slow for too long, and we just can’t keep our doors open any more.
“We apologize for the disappointment…”
Also read:
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closes, Cites Poor Sales
BEAUTIFUL BRANDS Franchisee Questions for David Rutkauskas
BEAUTIFUL BRANDS Franchise Complaints
UnhappyFranchisee.Com extends its condolences and best wishes to the owners and staff of the closed CherryBerry franchises.
ARE YOU A CHERRYBERRY FRANCHISE OWNER OR FRANCHISEE? ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE CHERRYBERRY FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY OR BEAUTIFUL BRANDS? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
TAGS: CHERRYBERRY Texas Franchise Failures, CherryBerry, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt, CherryBerry franchise, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt Franchise, Froyo, Froyo franchise, Frozen Yogurt franchise, Beautiful Brands International, Dallas Jones, Robyn Jones, David Rutkauskas, franchise failures, franchise closures, franchise graveyard, Unhappy Franchisee, John Shutt, Travis Phillips of Phillips & Shutt Holdings L.L.C., Clear Lake TX CherryBerry, Pasadena TX CherryBerry, Tomball TX CherryBerry, and Conroe Texas CherryBerry.
CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closure: Claremore, Oklahoma
January 5, 2013
The CherryBerry frozen yogurt franchise location in Claremore, Oklahoma rang in the New Year with a sad message.
“Effective today, CherryBerry Claremore is closed” said the January 1, 2013 Facebook posting.
“Thank you for the loyal customers, unfortunately we needed more. It’s a business decision we needed to make.”
The Claremore, OK CherryBerry reportedly opened October, 2010.
Facebook photos of happy customers and lively events at the Claremore, OK CherryBerry go back to June, 2011:
Youth Group outings.
Birthday parties,
Halloween parties.
Cheerleading fundraisers.
Lots of family & community events.
But in the end, it wasn’t enough to financially sustain the business.
It’s a situation that other CherryBerry frozen yogurt franchise owners, many of whom are pouring their hearts, souls, and finances into their franchises, are encountering.
Fellow franchisee Candace Wright, who recently closed her Derby, OK store, stated:
When people are watching their money, they feel it is more important that they are feeding their family food and not a novelty product.
[Read about the Derby, OK CherryBerry franchise closing here: CHERRYBERRY Franchise Closes, Cites Poor Sales ]
Beautiful Brands Still Selling CherryBerry Franchises Despite Closures
To read the Beautiful Brands corporate press releases so faithfully printed by industry trade magazines and fawning Tulsa newspapers as news stories, one would never suspect that CherryBerry and other BBI franchises have any failures whasoever.
QSR magazine did not mention the recent Cherryberry store closings in Conroe, Clear Lake or Pasadena, Texas, Blue Springs or Springfield, MO, or Derby, Sand Springs or Claremore, OK in their recent glowing article on BBI’s record 2012 franchise sales:
Despite an economic slowdown and lagging growth forecasts for 2013, Beautiful Brands International (BBI), a Tulsa, Oklahoma–based fast-casual restaurant company, is posting record franchise unit sales and store openings of its franchised brands for 2012. This includes a record-breaking 24 units opened in the fourth quarter.
“Despite the downturn economy, our brands are performing beautifully and experiencing explosive growth every day,” says David Rutkauskas, BBI founder and CEO.
As we have seen too often, the media is quick to applaud aggressive franchise sales results, but rarely reports when those sales turn into personal financial tragedies a year or two later.
UnhappyFranchisee.Com extends its condolences and best wishes to the owners and staff of the Claremore, OK CherryBerry.
ARE YOU A CHERRYBERRY FRANCHISE OWNER OR FRANCHISEE? ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE CHERRYBERRY FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY OR BEAUTIFUL BRANDS? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
TAGS: CherryBerry, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt, CherryBerry franchise, CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt Franchise, Froyo, Froyo franchise, Frozen Yogurt franchise, Beautiful Brands International, Dallas Jones, Robyn Jones, David Rutkauskas, franchise failures, franchise closures, franchise graveyard, Unhappy Franchisee, Claremore OK
