{"id":4361,"date":"2015-12-09T00:50:20","date_gmt":"2015-12-09T05:50:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/16-handles-too-hot-of-a-business-to-be-frozen-yogurt\/"},"modified":"2015-12-09T00:52:17","modified_gmt":"2015-12-09T05:52:17","slug":"16-handles-too-hot-of-a-business-to-be-frozen-yogurt","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/16-handles-too-hot-of-a-business-to-be-frozen-yogurt\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Handles: Too Hot of a Business to be Frozen Yogurt"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

It’s a dessert experience like none other. In 2008, 16 Handles\u00a0<\/span>opened its first\u00a0<\/span>store in the highly saturated, New York City frozen yogurt market.\u00a0<\/span>At the time, the Company faced intense competition\u00a0from Pinkberry and other local establishments. Today, however, they only face a couple direct competitors. In only seven years, the business model has grown to resonate so strongly with consumers that 16 Handles has established itself as a leader in a fragmented market, opening 40 stores in the East Coast and currently developing 150 stores internationally. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The idea of operating a frozen yogurt store is not particularly novel which is why 16 Handles\u2019 rapid growth at the expense of competitors\u2019 market share underscores the efficacy of the business. The model is simple: choose one of 16 flavors (chosen amongst 52 rotating flavors) and any\u00a0of the\u00a050 available toppings. Based on a buffet-style, 16 Handles was the first frozen yogurt shop to introduce self-serving to New Yorkers. Also, much like other frozen yogurt stores, prices are by the ounce, following a pay-by-weight philosophy. Each store operates with no more than 20 part time employees and is open long hours, seven days a week, creating the imperative sense of availability demanded by New Yorkers.<\/p>\n

An overview of the opportunities and consumer preferences in the frozen yogurt market:<\/p>\n

\"How\"\"
\nWhat makes this business so special? It goes back to asking yourself the question of\u00a0whether you can remember the last time you were at a store buying dessert as a\u00a0memorable experience. This is exactly what 16 Handles seeks to do at the most basic level: tap into individuals\u2019 desire to express their individuality through the choices they make to make their visit stand out. The Company is\u00a0redefining the way we think about dessert, particularly frozen yogurt, by creating an experience around self-service, customization and ambiance.
\n16 Handles has taken the basic model of a frozen yogurt shop and created value for\u00a0customers by giving them greater control over their experience. Unlike other frozen yogurt stores, 16 Handles engages the consumer by allowing them to self-serve\"\". When you come into a store, an employee greets you and offers\u00a0\u00a0sample-size cups for you to try flavors. From that point on, the experience is yours to own and you don\u2019t interact with another employee until you\u2019re\u00a0ready to pay. You are not rushed to move through a line or to make quick decisions when choosing flavors or toppings. You can therefore explore the offerings and tailor the dessert to your mood. Accordingly, instead of imposing a fixed price for the product, 16 Handle\u2019s pay-by-weight philosophy gives the customer the ultimate say in what to pay by virtue of how much they want to consume. Thus, you truly own the experience from start to finish.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Another tenant of differentiation for 16 Handles is customization. This\u00a0stems from a highly diverse menu, allowing over 800 combinations of flavors and toppings. Especially appealing are the chef-curated flavors of which 16 are selected from a rotating base of over 52 seasonal, traditional and innovative flavors. The yogurt offerings also range from non-fat, to no-sugar, to sorbe and TV screens around the store feature the nutritional value of all available items, catering to the health-conscious millennials. Given a system of gourmet offerings and customization, 16 Handles generates value to consumers by allowing an expression of individuality through the personalization of their favorite treats.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unlike a grab-and \u2013go model, 16 Handle stores give customers the choice to lounge in a spacious, stylish and comfortable setting. Much like the Starbucks model, the store\u2019s ambiance is inviting for people to sit, eat and connect, adding a social component to the experience. The\u00a0diversity of customers is also telling of its appeal. Everyone from kids to\u00a0adults loves to come into the store to enjoy their favorite dessert with family or friends. The\u00a0ease of the process combined with an engaging\u00a0experience\u00a0creates repeat customers that are loyal to the brand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

By being a labor and asset lite business, 16 Handles is able to transfer control of the experience to the consumer and focus its capital investment\u00a0in\u00a0designing stores that\u00a0lure customers to lounge and engage. The simplicity of the operating model is therefore\u00a0complimentary to\u00a0the\u00a0business model,\u00a0giving a seemingly simple yogurt store an uncanny competitive edge.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sources:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.thestreet.com\/story\/11903466\/1\/16-handles-aims-to-win-in-frozen-yogurt-consolidation.html<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/patch.com\/new-york\/newcity\/at-16-handles-16-different-flavors-of-yogurt-availabla129ce20f0<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.thefranchisemall.com\/news\/articles\/27043-0.htm<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.franchisechatter.com\/2013\/07\/29\/fro-yo-files-franchisees-grasp-of-16-handles-concept-leads-to-expansion-of-brand-part-1\/<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.restaurantnews.com\/how-hot-is-the-frozen-yogurt-market\/<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.restaurantnews.com\/16-handles-flaunts-flavor-innovation-with-new-frozen-yogurt-treats-pbj-fro-yo-and-peach-sangria-sorbetto-launch-in-august\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There is nothing novel about the frozen yogurt business. So how did this company manage to disrupt a market dominated by fierce competition and little differentiation? Simple: by focusing on who you are – versus what the product is – to drive their success.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1013,"featured_media":4368,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","categories":[],"class_list":["post-4361","hck-submission","type-hck-submission","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"connected_submission_link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/assignment\/the-tom-challenge-tom-winners-and-losers-assignment\/","yoast_head":"\n16 Handles: Too Hot of a Business to be Frozen Yogurt - Technology and Operations Management<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/16-handles-too-hot-of-a-business-to-be-frozen-yogurt\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"16 Handles: Too Hot of a Business to be Frozen Yogurt - Technology and Operations Management\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"There is nothing novel about the frozen yogurt business. 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