Yesterday was our 6th birthday! Here’s what our CE-Yo had to say:

Wow, 6 years have already passed since I opened the doors of my first 16 Handles location in Manhattan’s East Village. I remember the excitement and anxiety as if it were yesterday. I was the California kid who moved to NYC with the intention of building a lifestyle brand after learning the self serve frozen yogurt business model for 3 months from the godfather himself, Mr. Song (America’s Cup Yogurt, since 1988).

Not only did I start the business during the start of the recession, but I chose to open the first location in an area that had 9 other frozen dessert shops within a 4 block radius. One would think the odds were stacked against me….yes, they were. Nonetheless, I was determined that if I focused on taking care of the customers and developing my people that growth and profits would follow.

Today, we’ve grown to 42 stores in 6 states, 7 of the 9 original competitors have closed down, my first franchise partner has grown to 4 locations, and one of my first hourly employees is now a General Manager at a company operated store.

I’m focused more than ever on making 16 Handles the fun lifestyle brand that it was set out to become. With great franchise operators, a dedicated support team, and loyal fans, we are getting closer to that dream each day. Thank you for the support and flaunt your flavor.

Handle It,

Solomon Choi
CE-Yo!

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