Frozen Favorites

Hey, frozen-yogurt fans: Imagine what frozen-yogurt heaven would look
like.

It’s a place where that first chilly spoonful makes you shut your
eyes and sigh. Perhaps you serve yourself and get to choose from a
variety of low-calorie flavors. However, there’s no judging in yogurt
heaven: If you want a mix of chocolate and mango yogurt, or maybe
espresso and peanut butter, have it. Better yet—combine all four.
Add some toppings; there’s an abundance of fruit, sweet treats and
sauces.

Now, place your one-of-a-kind creation on the scale. (It turns out
that frozen-yogurt heaven charges by the ounce.)

Guess what? Yogurt heaven is real. It’s more commonly known around
here as BTO Self Serve Yogurt, and there are three locations in Tucson,
and one in Marana (plus one in Greenville, Ohio). Another location is
slated to open soon.

Self-serve yogurt is a new concept that has increased in popularity
in recent years.

About three years ago, Doug and Dawn Carr decided to start a new
venture. Initially, the two wanted to bring trendy Los Angeles yogurt
chain Pinkberry to town. Pinkberry declined, and the Carrs soon
discovered the self-serve concept. According to Doug, after developing
their brand idea and creating their flavors, BTO Self Serve Yogurt
opened in February 2009 at 6860 E. Sunrise Drive. Now, a mere eight
months later, BTO is starting to branch out nationally. The Carrs own
two locations so far, and have franchised out the other locations
(including the BTO in Ohio).

BTO feels more like a destination than most frozen-yogurt joints.
Free Wi-Fi is offered at all of the locations; there’s also television
and ample seating. It’s kind of a high-tech-looking place with TV menus
on the wall, but it doesn’t deter from the yogurt, which is the first
thing you’ll see when you open the door.

First, grab a cup. Next, get some yogurt. A wall is lined with eight
self-serve machines, and each machine has two flavors. Try them
individually or swirled.

Now, on to the toppings bar. Choose fruit ranging from strawberry to
lychee. There are decadent choices like cheesecake bites and crushed
peanut-butter cups, as well as cereals and the classic sprinkles,
chocolate chips and sauces like chocolate or butterscotch.

Finally, set your yogurt concoction on the weigh scale. It costs 39
cents per ounce. Get it? You’re paying by the ounce, hence the
BTO name.

What makes this yogurt so desirable?

“It’s the perfect amount of sweetness,” says customer Barbara
Soto.

“It’s healthy; this is potentially addicting,” says repeat customer
Kasia Ygnevska (who may already be addicted).

Doug says the yogurt starts with base powders: vanilla, chocolate
and plain tart. From there, flavors like Oreo, New York cheesecake and
peach tart are created. New flavors are always rotating into the
machines, so you’ll never get used to the same old thing.

“This is close to the consistency of ice cream, but we maintain the
quality of the yogurt,” says Doug.

They serve dairy and nondairy flavors that range from 73 to 88
calories per half-cup serving. Doug reminds us that, yes, the yogurt
itself is healthy (even probiotic!)—but remember, he uses real
ingredients, and Oreo cookies and New York cheesecake will add
calories.

Michael Cunneely works at the Sunrise location. He has some crazy
yogurt stories.

“Some people like Tabasco sauce on the plain tart,” he claims.

Dawn says she thinks the self-serve yogurt concept has caught on
because yogurt is a comfort food. Doug says people like the fact that
people have control and can get what they want.

“It’s an awesome, eye-opening experience,” he says.

This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4, 2009.