Pinkberry
An American frozen-dessert franchise known for customizable frozen yogurt, fresh toppings, and a design-led international retail format.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Pinkberry is an American frozen-dessert restaurant franchise founded in Los Angeles in January 2005 by Hye Kyung “Shelly” Hwang and architect Young Lee. The concept emerged after the founders’ original plan to open a formal English teahouse was hindered by difficulties obtaining an alcohol permit. They instead developed a modern frozen-yogurt shop intended to revive the frozen-yogurt category while presenting it as a fashionable, customizable dessert experience. The first store opened on Huntley Drive in West Hollywood, California. Its distinctive product, minimalist store design, and customer-led topping format quickly generated intense local interest. Customers could select a yogurt base and add fruit, sauces, and other toppings, creating a personalized dessert. Early demand produced long lines and substantial street congestion, helping establish Pinkberry as a prominent example of the mid-2000s frozen-yogurt revival. A second store opened in August 2006, followed by a third near La Brea and Melrose Avenues in September of that year. The chain subsequently expanded throughout Southern California and into New York. Pinkberry raised $27.5 million from Maveron in October 2007 to support national expansion. In May 2009, the company announced a further $9 million funding round and described plans for domestic and international growth. Its expansion partners included M.H. Alshaya Co., a Kuwaiti retail group, for stores in Middle Eastern markets, and HMSHost for airport locations in the United States. The first international store opened in Kuwait in October 2009 at The Avenues shopping mall. Pinkberry also expanded into the Southern United States during 2010. The brand’s growth later outpaced demand in some markets, contributing to weak sales and store closures. In December 2015, Kahala Brands acquired Pinkberry and made it the group’s eighteenth brand. Pinkberry continues to operate as a franchise business with stores in the United States and overseas markets. The company is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the brand has been reported as having more than 260 stores across 20 countries, although exact store counts can change with openings and closures. Pinkberry’s identity combines a tart frozen-yogurt profile, fresh and indulgent toppings, visual merchandising, and a premium yet accessible positioning. Its cultural visibility has also been reinforced through appearances or references in television, film, literature, and musical theater. The company has faced scrutiny over whether its original product met California’s legal and industry definitions of frozen yogurt, but later reformulated its product and received the National Yogurt Association’s Live and Active Cultures Seal in 2008.
History
Pinkberry began in West Hollywood after Shelly Hwang and Young Lee abandoned an intended English-teahouse concept. When obtaining an alcohol permit proved difficult, the partners pursued a second idea: a contemporary frozen-yogurt restaurant. Their first shop opened in January 2005 on Huntley Drive. The store combined tart frozen yogurt with a broad selection of toppings and a highly recognizable, modern visual identity. Customers assembled their own desserts, making customization central to the brand rather than an optional add-on. The first location attracted unusually strong attention. Lines reportedly lasted 20 to 30 minutes, and the store became a destination for customers traveling across Los Angeles. Pinkberry’s popularity helped renew interest in frozen yogurt during the 2000s, when the category was being repositioned from a conventional low-fat dessert into a lifestyle-oriented retail experience. The second location opened in August 2006, and a third followed near La Brea and Melrose Avenues in September. More stores then appeared across Southern California, with the concept also moving into New York. To finance expansion, Pinkberry accepted a $27.5 million investment from Maveron in October 2007. In May 2009, the company announced another $9 million in funding and identified international and domestic growth as priorities. M.H. Alshaya Co. became an important international development partner, while HMSHost was named as a partner for airport locations in the United States. Pinkberry’s first overseas store opened in Kuwait in October 2009 at The Avenues mall. The company expanded into the Southern United States during 2010, while continuing to develop a franchise network. Expansion also exposed the business to the risks of entering too many markets too quickly. Weak sales and store closures followed in some locations. The original West Hollywood store closed in April 2010 and was converted into an administrative facility. In December 2015, Kahala Brands acquired Pinkberry as its eighteenth brand. The acquisition changed the company’s ownership structure while preserving Pinkberry as a distinct consumer-facing concept within Kahala’s franchise portfolio. Product labeling and health positioning became significant parts of Pinkberry’s early public history. Critics questioned whether the original recipe contained enough bacterial cultures to satisfy California’s definition of frozen yogurt. Laboratory testing reported in the Los Angeles Times found active cultures but a level below the applicable state threshold cited at the time. Pinkberry later changed its recipe and received the National Yogurt Association’s Live and Active Cultures Seal on April 17, 2008. The brand also removed unsupported health claims that had previously appeared in stores. These changes helped move its messaging away from broad medical or nutritional implications and toward taste, ingredients, customization, and product experience. Pinkberry’s brand has been managed with a strong emphasis on design and popular culture. The Los Angeles firm Ferroconcrete worked on the brand identity and environment. Pinkberry has appeared or been referenced in programs and entertainment including Curb Your Enthusiasm, And Just Like That…, Ugly Americans, American Dad!, the film Still Alice, the Broadway musical Be More Chill, Colleen Hoover’s novel November 9, and Horrible Bosses 2. The chain remains an active international frozen-dessert franchise, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, with reported operations exceeding 260 stores in 20 countries; current locations and counts should be verified before publication.
- 2015
Acquisition by Kahala Brands
[1]Kahala Brands acquires Pinkberry after store closures and weaker sales associated with over-expansion.
- 2010
Southern United States growth and original-store closure
[1]The company expands in the Southern United States; the original West Hollywood shop closes and becomes an administrative building.
- 2009
International expansion begins
[1]Pinkberry announces further funding and partnerships, then opens its first overseas store in Kuwait in October.
- 2008
Live and Active Cultures Seal awarded
[1]Pinkberry receives the National Yogurt Association seal after changing its recipe.
- 2007
Maveron investment
[1]Maveron invests $27.5 million to support national expansion.
- 2006
Early Southern California expansion
[1]A second store opens in August, followed by a third near La Brea and Melrose Avenues in September.
- 2005
First Pinkberry store opens in West Hollywood
[1]Shelly Hwang and Young Lee open the first Pinkberry frozen-yogurt restaurant on Huntley Drive in West Hollywood, California.
Products and positioning
A fashionable, premium-leaning frozen-dessert experience centered on tart yogurt, customization, fresh toppings, and a health-conscious image.
Frozen yogurt · 2005
Original Frozen Yogurt
Pinkberry’s signature tart frozen-yogurt base is served soft and combined with customer-selected toppings. The product became the core of the brand’s identity by presenting frozen yogurt as a customizable, design-conscious dessert rather than only as a low-fat substitute for ice cream.
Frozen yogurt
Greek Yogurt
A Greek-yogurt-style offering within Pinkberry’s frozen-dessert range. It extends the brand’s yogurt-focused assortment while supporting its emphasis on texture, tang, and a more health-conscious product image.
Dessert toppings · 2005
Toppings
Pinkberry allows guests to customize their dessert with toppings such as fruit, sauces, and other sweet or crunchy additions. This modular format is central to the in-store experience and helps each purchase function as a personalized combination.
Beverages
Smoothies
Smoothies are part of Pinkberry’s broader frozen-dessert and beverage assortment. Available recipes and ingredients can vary by market and period, so the current menu should be checked locally.
Controversies
2005
Frozen-yogurt classification and health-claim controversy
Pinkberry was criticized and faced legal scrutiny over whether its original product met California’s required level of bacterial cultures for the term frozen yogurt. Reports also criticized unsupported health benefits previously displayed in stores. Pinkberry subsequently altered its recipe, obtained the National Yogurt Association’s Live and Active Cultures Seal in 2008, and removed the disputed health claims.
Marketing campaigns
- Pinkberry brand identity and store design
United States · International
Los Angeles branding firm Ferroconcrete designed and managed elements of Pinkberry’s visual identity and retail presentation, helping position the chain as a contemporary lifestyle dessert brand.
Outcome. Established a distinctive design-led identity.
Brand decisions
2015
Sell the brand to Kahala BrandsM&ABackground
Poor sales and store closures followed a period of rapid expansion.
Action taken
Kahala Brands acquired Pinkberry in December 2015 and added it as its eighteenth brand.
Aftermath
Pinkberry continued as a distinct franchise brand within Kahala Brands’ portfolio.
2009
Pursue international and airport expansionStrategyBackground
Pinkberry sought to extend its franchise footprint after establishing stores in several major United States markets.
Action taken
The company announced a further funding round and partnerships with M.H. Alshaya Co. for Middle Eastern development and HMSHost for airport locations.
Aftermath
The first overseas Pinkberry opened in Kuwait in October 2009, and the chain continued international expansion.
Second-round funding. $9 million (May 2009)
2008
Reformulate yogurt recipeGeneration changeBackground
Testing and regulatory scrutiny raised questions about whether the original recipe met California and industry standards for frozen yogurt.
Action taken
Pinkberry changed its dessert recipe and obtained the National Yogurt Association’s Live and Active Cultures Seal.
Aftermath
The change strengthened the product’s ability to be presented as yogurt and helped address the controversy over culture levels.
2007
Accept investment for national expansionStrategyBackground
Pinkberry’s early popularity created an opportunity to scale beyond its initial Southern California base.
Action taken
The company accepted a reported $27.5 million investment from Maveron to support nationwide growth.
Aftermath
Pinkberry expanded its store network and later pursued domestic and international development.
Investment. $27.5 million (October 2007)
Recent events
- 2015
Pinkberry acquired by Kahala Brands[1]
M&A
Kahala Brands acquired Pinkberry after a period of poor sales and store closures associated with rapid expansion.
- 2009
Pinkberry announces additional funding and international expansion plans[1]
Other
The company announced a further $9 million funding round and plans involving M.H. Alshaya Co. and HMSHost for international and airport growth.
- 2009
Pinkberry opens first overseas store in Kuwait[1]
Product launch
Pinkberry entered international retail operations with a location at The Avenues shopping mall in Kuwait.
- 2008
Pinkberry receives National Yogurt Association Live and Active Cultures Seal[1]
Regulation · Product generation
After changing its dessert recipe, Pinkberry received the National Yogurt Association seal for live and active cultures.
- 2007
Maveron invests $27.5 million in Pinkberry expansion[1]
Other
Pinkberry received a reported $27.5 million investment from Maveron to support expansion of its frozen-yogurt concept across the United States.
Sources2 sources
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