Will the Brentwood Yogurt Cafe Survive Pinkberry???
Published by foodette June 6th, 2007 in Brentwood, Dessert, Los Angeles.As I mentioned in a previous post, I am not a huge fan of frozen yogurt. But after a night of stuffing our faces with Thai food at Tongdang, my husband and I thought it would be prudent to consume a low-fat dessert. As we walked across the third floor of the Barrington Gardens shopping center, from Tongdang to the Brentwood Yogurt Cafe, I couldn’t help but wonder if this would be my last visit. After all, Pinkberry will be opening its doors soon just a block away, and the Brentwood Yogurt Cafe is just a little family owned establishment.
A few things to consider about the Brentwood Yogurt Cafe:
- Their clientèle appeared to be ‘tween and teenage girls who count calories for a living - score 1 pt for Pinkberry
- They have many flavors, including plain and green tea (just added??) - score 1 pt for Brentwood Yogurt Cafe
- They have a multitude of toppings, but no fresh fruit to be found - 1 pt for each
- The atmosphere is non-existent - 1 pt for Pinkberry
- They serve coffee drinks and sell random sweets like Pocky Sticks - 1 pt for Brentwood Yogurt Cafe
- Their price is just as high as Pinkberry’s - it was $8.50 for two small yogurts with toppings - 0 pts for both
Hmmm…it appears we have a tie so far. I think the survival the Brentwood Yogurt Cafe rests on two points:
- Taste: I have yet to taste Pinkberry, but I was not a fan of my yogurt at the Brentwood Yogurt Cafe. Still, I don’t want to use this as judgement yet, because I don’t like most frozen yogurt, so I want to wait and compare the two.
- Cache: Unfortunately, this is where I think Pinkberry will win. If someone is in Brentwood, and wants fro-yo, I think they will go to Pinkberry because it’s popular and a fad, etc. Maybe a few loyals will stick with the Yogurt Cafe, but realistically, I don’t think that will be enough.
I see the Yogurt Cafe being forced to lower prices, and if they can’t, being forced out of business. This is my prediction, and I sure hope that I am wrong. I am rooting for the little guy, here. I am a fan of family-owned businesses and entrepreneurs everywhere. I really hope the Brentwood Yogurt Cafe makes it and proves me wrong.
I just read a similar article about this taking place in Little Tokyo on Eater LA. Oh, Pinkberry, do you plan to take over the world?
What do you think? Will Pinkberry be the next (gasp!) Starbucks?
The Brentwood Yogurt Cafe is located in the Barrington Gardens shopping center at 11677 San Vicente Blvd, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: (310) 826-6866
8 Responses to “Will the Brentwood Yogurt Cafe Survive Pinkberry???”
- 1 Pingback on Jun 18th, 2007 at 10:48 am
The battle may have only begun. There are still all the other Berry imitators who haven’t surrendered just yet. Plus the international players such as Yogen Fruz who haven’t even entered the battle yet. More froyo for everybody.
Yoggi - it’s true that more competition will essentially equal lower prices and higher quality for all. Still, I do fell sad when I think of the little guy getting run out of business. Either way, the fro-yo business in Southern California has become like a spectator sport.
I agree it’s all about choice, the more frozen yogurt to choose from, the better. I had Yogen Fruz in London England and their frogurt tastes smoother than Pinkberry. But in the meantime Pinkberry and Kiwiberry is here in America and Yogen Fruz is not here yet so off I go…
Freedom - I would like to see some of the other competing yogurt places move in near me, but guess what - a SECOND Pinkberry will be opening its doors instead. I was so surprised when I learned this. I need to do a post on it to see what everyone else thinks.
Pinkberry will prevail.
Pinkberry??….Nah in the end? Product prevails!!…we shall seeee who wins that war!
Nice Site!