Fro-Yo Files: Donper America’s Fro-Yo Financing Plan Reduces Upfront Capital Expenditure for New Franchisees

In what its marketing director calls a “game changer” for the frozen yogurt sector, Donper America has announced a financing plan for frozen yogurt machines that the company says will help spur franchise growth.

“This is going to be the biggest year for frozen yogurt not just in expansion but in consumption,” said Dan Doromal, director of marketing for Orlando, Fla.-based Donper America.

A globally recognized name in the food service and commercial refrigeration industry, Donper revealed in January new, flexible financing options designed to assist frozen yogurt franchise companies grow and expand their brand. The plan, applicable to individual soft-serve frozen yogurt machines as well as “turnkey” packages that include refrigeration units and freezers, allows operators and franchisees to pay 50 percent of costs up front while financing the remaining balance over 12-18 months.

“Over the first year of the store opening, we’ll help you finance your first year so you don’t have to worry about the upfront capital expenditure,” Doromal told Franchise Chatter.

The financing plan can decrease the time required to start up a new store.

Doromal said Donper is working with a major frozen yogurt brand to help reduce the initial investment costs for newly signed franchise partners. He declined to name the company but said it has been rated among the top 10 frozen yogurt brands by Technomic, a leading researcher in food service.

He said the financing plan should also help regional brands with a small but growing number of units expand quicker to compete with the larger chains.