New Hawaii Franchises Defy Gloomy Economic Forecasts

At 21 and 23, childhood friends Erica Miyabara and Kelly Hiraki own a frozen yogurt shop that already is set to expand with a second location after barely a month in business.

The friends bought the Hawaii franchise rights to Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, a California concept that launched this year and has shops open or set to open in eight states.

Their expansion plans come despite the slowing economy and tightened credit markets that have made business growth more challenging.