What made you decide to open a TCBY store versus any other franchise opportunity?
The TCBY Brand. We grew up with TCBY in Nebraska and have fond memories of it. We also love the quality and flavor of the product as well as its healthy benefits. It is a product we can be genuinely passionate about promoting and feel good about offering to our family and friends. The operational knowledge and experience of TCBY was a key factor as well.
What's your favorite thing about owning a TCBY franchise?
Being the "owner” and having our customers as our bosses. Also, seeing old friends and making many new friends as a result of opening our store. Our TCBY store has become the place for the community to come together.
What's been your favorite customer interaction experience?
Watching all ages of guests getting together and reconnecting without cell phones or texting – just good old face-to-face talking. Like one guest told us, "coming to your store is like having a 30 minute family vacation!”
What do you consider to be your biggest success so far?
Creating a truly magical experience within our store. Our guests love being here and thank us for opening this store. We've created a genuine bond with many of our customers.
What kinds of things do you do to consistently increase your business?
Many local, grassroots efforts and highly targeted marketing activities. We make sure each guest has an enjoyable and positive experience and let them know we appreciate them telling their friends about us. We've created partnerships with various schools, non-profit organizations, businesses (especially those in our shopping center area), and the local Chamber of Commerce.
What have you learned about yourself through this venture?
You cannot do it yourself! You must surround yourself with others who share the same vision and have the passion to create a successful business that's focused on serving the customer with the highest quality products.
What's your favorite menu item?
We love all our pie flavors as well as Mountain Blackberry soft-serve with Snickers® and TCBY hot fudge.
Name one remarkable thing that happened on your opening day.
There was a long line of very excited customers out the front door for 10 hours straight – 2,000 new customers were served during this period and our staff, with just one week of "live” customer care experience, performed flawlessly to ensure every guest had an enjoyable first visit.
How has the TCBY corporate team helped you prepare for success?
The TCBY training program is superb. The extensive classroom, in-store and hands-on training opportunities during our time at the training center in Salt Lake City were excellent. Additional time spent working in the corporate stores was invaluable. The Construction Department and Franchise Association Board is fantastic and the communication and follow-through was very timely.
