Tasti D-Lite Franchise News

First 3 Walmart Locations Opened May 21
May 23, 2012 // Franchising.com // Nashville, TN - Tasti D-Lite and Planet Smoothie opened their first locations inside of Walmart Tuesday, May 22. The franchised co-branded centers will open in three Nashville, Tenn.-area Walmarts—the Charlotte Pike Walmart (7044 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, Tenn.), the Smyrna Walmart (570 Enon Springs Road East, Smyrna, Tenn.) and the Lebanon Walmart (615 South Cumberland Street Lebanon, Tenn.). All three locations—which replace the old portrait studios—are immediately inside the grocery store entrance.
The Walmart locations are also some of the first co-branded Tasti D-Lite and Planet Smoothie centers. Tasti D-Lite, the great-tasting, lower-calorie frozen dessert chain with a fanatical following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities, acquired Planet Smoothie, which serves real fruit smoothies with low calorie, low sugar and high protein options, last year...

Amos to be recognized at 2012 Business Leader of the Year Awards Dinner
April 06, 2012 // Franchising.com // Franklin, Tenn. - James H. Amos Jr., CFE, chairman and CEO of Tasti D-Lite and Planet Smoothie, will be honored with the Nashville Business Leader Legend Award at the 2012 Business Leader of the Year Awards Dinner at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at the Brentwood Country Club.
The Business Leader of the Year Awards Dinner is held to recognize and honor the best and brightest business men and women in Nashville and its surrounding areas. This year, 30 talented, successful honorees will be recognized as exceptional leaders in their business category.
The Nashville Business Leader Legend Award will be the highlight of the ceremony...

Bubble gum, cotton candy join other kid-friendly flavors.
April 02, 2012 // Franchising.com // Franklin, Tenn. - Tasti D-Lite, the great-tasting, lower-calorie frozen dessert chain with a cult following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities, will debut two new flavors April 2. The flavors—bubble gum and cotton candy—are perfect for kids. Tasti’s other kid-friendly flavors include marshmallow, s’mores and PB&J.
“We really wanted to create something that kids would love with our new flavors and what do kids like more than cotton candy and bubble gum?” said Donna Smith, vice president of marketing. “The flavors are even better with fun toppings like rainbow sprinkles or gum balls...

Customers can register in stores and online for a chance to win movie tickets, posters and more.
February 03, 2012 // Franchising.com // Franklin, TN- Tasti D-Lite, the great-tasting, lower-calorie frozen dessert chain that recently acquired Planet Smoothie, has partnered with “The Vow”— in theaters February 10—for the Tasti D-Lite “The Vow” Sweepstakes. Customers will be able to register in participating Tasti D-Lite and Planet Smoothie locations and online at www.thevowgiveaway.com through February 14 for a chance to win a variety of prizes.
Prizes include movie posters, T-shirts and advanced screening passes. The grand prize winner will receive an all-inclusive seven night romantic getaway to RIU Palace Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic with roundtrip airfare for two provided by Funjet Vacations...

Al-Himmah International to lead Tasti D-Lite’s Expansion in 6 more Middle East countries.
(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)---Tasti D-Lite, the great-tasting, lower-calorie frozen dessert chain with a cult following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities, recently announced its next phase of expansion in the Middle East. Al-Himmah International Limited signed an international master franchise agreement to expand Tasti D-Lite into six Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon and Jordan, with plans to open its first two locations in Saudi Arabia in March 2012. The company is committed to opening more than 30 units over the next five years.
The Himmah group of companies, with a highly successful background in construction, hospitality, logistics and infrastructure projects throughout the Middle East, conducted an extensive search to determine the ideal brand and concept as the lead project for its newly-formed food division...

Dual-Branding Intended to Drive Growth
December 02, 2011 // Franchising.com // (Franklin, Tenn.) - Tasti D-Lite, the lower-calorie frozen dessert chain catering to health-conscious consumers has announced the acquisition of Planet Smoothie, LLC, a franchise system with more than 100 units in operation, mainly in Georgia and Florida. Planet Smoothie is a national franchisor and consumer products business which sells smoothies and all-natural snacks to health-conscious consumers. The strategic acquisition, which closed on November 30, will allow both brands to broaden product offerings, improve retail sales and accelerate unit growth through co-branding initiatives and non-traditional development opportunities.
“This acquisition presents an opportunity to combine two iconic brands to create a winning combination for both the customer and the franchisee,” said Jim Amos, chief executive officer of Tasti D-Lite...

New formats, new markets, expanded management team help fuel growth

September 01, 2011 // Franchising.com // (Franklin, TN)-- Tasti D-Lite, the great-tasting, better-for-you frozen treat chain with a cult following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities, has achieved unprecedented growth in the first half of 2011. The chain has signed new development agreements for Tampa, Florida, for several counties in New York and Connecticut, and for a network of non-traditional sites across the country, totaling 104 locations. Additionally, Tasti D-Lite recently opened its first locations in Missouri, Massachusetts, Nevada, Maryland, North Carolina and will soon open its first California center in the third quarter.

The driving force behind the company's growth has been its commitment to innovation across all facets of its business, including its core concept and offering, which has resulted in the opening of four first-of-their-kind centers:


Drive-Thru: The first Tasti D-Lite drive-thru location opened earlier this year in Columbia, Missouri...

25 Locations Planned for Tampa Bay August 23, 2011 // Franchising.com // (Tampa, FL) Tasti D-Lite, the great-tasting, lower-calorie frozen dessert chain with a cult following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities, has signed an area development agreement for 25 centers in the Tampa Bay area over the next 10 years.

Tampa residents Sehera Ali Asgar and Ali Asgar Kaderbhai are the entrepreneurs who will be developing Tasti D-Lite in the area and will personally operate three units, one each in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Hernando counties. The husband and wife team are currently scouting locations and expect to open their first center before the end of the year.

"We spent nearly a year researching the frozen treat industry," said Ali Asgar Kaderbhai, who will continue to work in engineering consulting while his wife, Sehera, will manage the day-to-day operations of the business...

Local residents to bring NYC's famed frozen treat to Ho-Ho-Kus August 19, 2011 // Franchising.com // (Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ)---Tasti D-Lite, the great-tasting, lower-calorie frozen dessert chain with a cult following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities, will open a new location at 622 North Maple Ave. in September.

Ridgewood residents Vinny Errigo and Donna Sabatini, long time Tasti D-Lite fans, are the entrepreneurs behind the new concept opening near the Ho-Ho-Kus train station.

Errigo and Sabatini, long-term partners, met while working at a New York City brokerage firm where Sabatini was the CFO. For years, the couple has dined in Manhattan and typically stops at one of the many Tasti D-Lite locations throughout the city for dessert...

New York City Health and Fitness Enthusiast to be the Latest Face of Tasti D-Lite. New York, NY, July 20, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Even some of the healthiest people still indulge their sweet tooth. They just choose their treats wisely.

New York City certified fitness trainer and nutrition counselor Michelle Gabriele is the latest winner of Tasti D-Lite's Healthy Habit Search, a nationwide, year-long contest that rewards people whose healthy habits, including eating Tasti D-Lite, have improved their life and health. Since the contest launched earlier this year, hundreds of Tasti D-Lite customers from across the country have entered, sharing how Tasti D-Lite has impacted their health.

Gabriele, a mother of one, is the owner of Gabriella's Fitness Corporation and has been a personal trainer for 15 years...

Tasti D-Lite's Houston Dessert Shops Donating All Proceeds July 22, Additional Donors to Match Funds Raised HOUSTON, TX --(Marketwire - Jul 18, 2011) - After hearing of the tragic July 2nd auto accident in West Texas that orphaned and seriously injured three Houston children, Tasti D-Lite franchise owner Aaron Webster, like many Houstonians, felt the strong need to help. Plans for a fundraising event began.

Set for Friday, July 22, a Fundraiser for the Berry Children will be held at all three of their locations including Highland Village, Downtown and the Galleria. Webster will donate 100% of Friday's proceeds from the three frozen dessert shops to the Joshua and Robin Berry Children's Trust.

Additionally, generous donors have offered to match sales...

June 29, 2011 // Franchising.com // Norwalk, CT – In a move that is expected to influence both the franchise industry and the business of Social CRM, Engage121, Inc., a software firm specializing in customer relationship management through social media, announced that Tasti D-Lite has licensed the Engage121 Enterprise Edition.

Tasti D-Lite, the fast-growing franchise company that sells great-tasting, healthier frozen treats and has been featured on hit shows like Sex and the City and 30 Rock, is also widely known for their pioneering use of social media to attract and retain customers. The franchise company will use Engage121 to support and expand social media engagements between the company's headquarters, each Tasti D-Lite store location, and consumers...

April 06, 2011 // Franchising.com // (Panama City, Panama)--- Tasti D-Lite, the great-tasting, better-for-you frozen dessert chain with a cult following among celebrities and other health-conscious consumers in the United States, will soon be expanding into Central America. The company has signed an agreement with Luis Velutini to open 30 centers over 10 years across a seven-country Central American region, the first of which is expected to open in Panama City before the end of the year.

Velutini, 36, spent the past 13 years working for Procter & Gamble in various marketing positions. Two other Procter & Gamble alums, Carlos Rojas and Alonso Requena, are partners in this venture and will be lending their entrepreneurial experience to Velutini from their home countries of Colombia and Venezuela, respectively...

20 Houstonians Compete for $2011, Losing Weight by Eating Dessert HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwire - February 7, 2011) - Tasti D-Lite, Houston's favorite guilt-free frozen dessert hot spot, is challenging its loyal fan base to lose weight -- the fun way. The 2011 Houston Weight Loss Challenge kicked off January 10th with 20 individuals, including a married couple, determined to shed more weight than their competitors.

Contestants agreed to substitute one meal per day with a Tasti D-Lite Fruit 'n' Granola Parfait, Tasti D-Lite smoothie or Tasti D-Lite shake for six weeks. The cost of the daily Tasti D-Lite meal is covered by the store.

Weight is tracked and recorded weekly until the contest ends February 21. The person with the greatest net loss (based on body mass percentage) will win $2011 in honor of the New Year...

Local entrepreneurs to develop Tasti D-Lite franchise network throughout Australia November 05, 2010 // Franchising.com // (Melbourne, Australia)---Tasti D-Lite, the great-tasting, lower-calorie frozen dessert chain with a cult following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities, is on its way to Australia. Friezer Australia Pty Ltd signed an international master franchise agreement to expand Tasti D-Lite in Australia and plans to open its first location in Melbourne in spring 2011. The company is committed to opening an additional 30 units throughout Australia over the next five years.

As the director of marketing and operations at Friezer Australia, Georgina Crawford first discovered Tasti D-Lite while living in New York City and working in television documentary production after graduating from Boston University...

November 01, 2010 // Franchising.com // (Boynton Beach, Fla.)-- Tasti D-Lite, the lower-calorie frozen dessert chain with a cult following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities, will open its third South Florida center in Boca Raton in December. This is the second location owned and operated by area developer Robyn Vescovi who has an agreement to open at least 28 Tasti D-Lite Centers over the coming years in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties. Vescovi's first center opened in early 2010 in Boynton Beach. Other Florida locations include a company-owned center in South Beach and two franchised locations in Sarasota.

As an area developer, Vescovi is responsible for recruiting other Tasti D-Lite franchisees in South Florida...

Columbia couple to open state's first location this fall October 12, 2010 // Franchising.com // (Columbia, MO)---Tasti D-Lite, the lower-calorie frozen dessert chain with a cult following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities, will open its first Missouri outpost at 1201 Grindstone Parkway in Columbia in October.

Columbia residents Todd and Carissa Neimeyer are the entrepreneurs behind the new business. Carissa is the owner of Neimeyer Properties, which owns and operates nine rental properties in the area. She was previously the co-owner of an energy savings company that she started with her father, but recently sold her share to focus on Tasti D-Lite.

"Entrepreneurship is in my blood. While I've been successful with my real estate business and the business with my father, neither of them are truly a passion," said Carissa...

October 11, 2010 // Franchising.com // (ORANGE COUNTY)--- Tasti D-Lite, the great-tasting, better-for-you frozen dessert chain with a cult following among health conscious consumers as well as celebrities, is expanding beyond its East Coast roots. The lower calorie frozen treat brand plans to open at least 25 locations in Orange County in the coming years.

Since its inception in New York City in 1987, Tasti D-Lite's popularity has grown largely by word of mouth and has resulted in a huge base of raving fans who line up day and night to get their favorite guilt-free treat, available in more than 100 flavors. With Tasti D-Lite, people can enjoy a dessert that is made with natural ingredients including real dairy, contains no artificial sweeteners and is lower in calories, carbs and sugar than ice cream and leading frozen yogurt brands...

Local couple to open state's second location in October

September 02, 2010 // Franchising.com // (Fairfield, CT) - Tasti D-Lite, the lower-calorie frozen treat chain with a cult following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities, will open its second Connecticut center in September at 1201 Kings Highway in Fairfield. It will join a center in Darien, which opened in February, and a third location expected to open in Stamford before the end of the year.

Fairfield residents Mark and Alison Smith are the entrepreneurs behind the new business. When the Smiths welcomed their first child in early 2009, their priorities shifted and Mark began reevaluating his career in wholesale distribution with a lengthy commute to New York...

August 17, 2010 // Franchising.com // (Franklin, TN) - Tasti D-Lite, the great-tasting, lower-calorie frozen dessert chain with a cult following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities, is continuing its rapid expansion plans with the announcement of three Area Development Agreements with commitments for 65 locations in Dallas, Las Vegas and East Coast beach towns in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Delaware. Following are additional details on Tasti's entrance into these untapped markets. Area Developer Francisco Gomez-Palacio has plans to open at least 25 units in Dallas and Tarrant Counties in Texas over the next 10 years. He will personally operate at least one of the units. After emigrating to the U.S. from Mexico in 1998, Gomez-Palacio founded the telephone company Latino Communications...