Come aprire una yogurteria

More and more people, for a break , a snack , or simply a little treat , are choosing yogurt over the “usual” ice cream. Yogurt shops are businesses that are currently experiencing a real boom : the sector is constantly expanding and the prospects for success are potentially very good.

According to estimates, yogurt consumption at a national level has not been affected at all by the economic crisis of recent years but, on the contrary, is continuously growing .

Yogurt is a healthy , wholesome , and natural food , and part of the tremendous success yogurt shops have enjoyed in recent years is certainly due to a greater focus on a healthy, natural, and balanced diet . Eating yogurt isn’t just about indulging in a sweet treat; it can also be seen as a way to consume a healthy food .

As fresh and quick as ice cream, yogurt contains fewer calories and a large amount of live lactic acid bacteria , making it a popular choice for many people from a health and nutritional standpoint. Furthermore, during the summer, many people prefer a lunch break at a yogurt shop rather than a proper meal at a bar or restaurant, which is also why these establishments operate at full capacity during the hottest periods .

Another reason for the success of yogurt shops is the fact that, at decidedly reasonable prices , you can buy a good and healthy product, ideal even for those who have little time for lunch or for those who do not have a lot of money in their pockets.

A yogurt shop must entice customers by offering a wide range of flavors and products . A large display window is essential, enticing potential customers to come in and try the various specialties. For this reason, the flavors must not only satisfy the “classic” tastes of customers, but also be imaginative , constantly rotating to reflect the typical products of the different seasons, and enticing to try. The innovation and creativity of those who manage the ice cream shop are the added value that makes the difference between a simple yogurt shop and a successful one .

Yogurt can be served not only in traditional cups or glasses, but also alongside crepes and waffles . It’s a food that lends itself very well to other products, such as biscuits , creams , pieces of fresh fruit , liquid toppings (e.g., caramel syrup, chocolate, berries, etc.), and various garnishes (meringues, chocolate chips, etc.). Offering as much variety as possible and allowing customers to customize their yogurt to their own tastes is a key factor in the success of a yogurt shop.

Another idea worth considering is offering specific products for those with food intolerances . Some people are lactose or milk protein intolerant and would normally be unable to consume yogurt ; however, thanks to soy -based products, even these people can indulge in this delicious treat.

These are in fact real yogurts, but made with soy and therefore do not contain milk: in addition to being suitable for those who suffer from food intolerances , these products also have the advantage of containing less fat and, therefore, being fewer calories .

In these businesses, in addition to actual yogurt, other types of products may also be served, such as artisanal ice cream , homemade milkshakes and smoothies , as well as soft drinks and coffee from vending machines. Depending on the space available and the business’s choice, the yogurt shop may or may not offer table service .

Customer loyalty , or the relationship of trust and preference that develops between customers and the store, is the goal of running a yogurt shop. Therefore, in addition to offering a good product with a good quality/price ratio and fostering a cordial and friendly relationship with customers, the yogurt shop could promote initiatives such as promotional discounts during the first few days of opening, or loyalty cards that, upon reaching a certain spending threshold or number of orders, reward customers with free products or discount vouchers.

Location and features of the yogurt shop

To be successful, a yogurt shop must be located in a busy area , or even along a busy thoroughfare , provided there is convenient parking available .

Excellent locations include, for example, shopping centers , city parks and gardens , the vicinity of schools , universities , and offices , as well as along city streets and near train or bus stations . Even the exits from nightclubs , restaurants , pubs , and pizzerias are considered extremely favorable, as are the interiors of gyms , swimming pools , and sports clubs .

The space can be small if you intend to offer a takeaway yogurt service, while larger spaces are required if you intend to also offer table service.

In the first case, the sufficient space for the yogurt shop can be around 40 or 50 square meters , including the space open to customers and the laboratory behind it, with perhaps a small area in front of the sales counter dedicated to those who want to stop to consume the product on the premises and containing simple stools , shelves or high tables .

Even smaller ( 15-20 square meters) is the space required if the yogurt shop, for example, will be located inside shopping centers, stations, or airports: in this case, it will be a simple ” point ” with only a sales counter. If, however, the intention is to offer table service, and therefore open a ” yogurt bar ,” larger spaces, a specific type of license, and specific furnishings are required.

Running a yogurt shop is generally a family-run business , or at least one that can be run by a limited number of people: two , or at most three people, can take care of all the activities, from yogurt production to customer relations.

Yogurt production is not a very complicated activity in itself , and the specific skills required are relatively simple to learn, provided that you use the right learning methodologies: not only professional courses , but also the supervision of an expert in the sector are excellent ways to learn the trade.

A further aid for those working in yogurt shops comes from semi-finished products, which are purchased from specialized suppliers and allow yogurt production without the basic steps related to the starting raw materials. Thanks also to the presence of specific machinery , the risk of errors is minimized . These specialized machines are extremely practical and also allow large quantities of product to be produced in minimal time ; since they are semi-automated, the worker only needs to personally handle a few simple operations.

Equipment, furnishings and technical preparation

Yogurt shops, as we’ve mentioned, can be very small , as customers tend to consume the product outside the store. This reduced space requirement is also due to the fact that the equipment needed to make yogurt doesn’t take up much space and can even be housed in a small back room.

From a bureaucratic standpoint, it’s necessary to draw up a lease (or purchase) contract for the premises that will become the yogurt shop, and arrange for connections to suppliers of various essential services (water, electricity, etc.).

Since this is a food and beverage business, registration with the Chamber of Commerce and a VAT number are required . Furthermore, it is essential that the ASL ( Local Health Authority ), through specific inspections, certify that the premises comply with current health and hygiene regulations.

Furthermore, all staff working in the yogurt shop must have and renew their health certificate annually . Since local regulations can vary greatly, it is advisable to check with your local municipality to determine the specific bureaucratic procedures required.

Offering a quality product is essential for your yogurt shop to become a popular and successful establishment. But how do you learn the art of yogurt making? It’s certainly not something you can improvise, and for this very reason, professional courses are available for those who want to start this production and sales business.

Basic knowledge of yogurt making, and often also of ice cream making, can be learned through training programs available locally. These courses are offered by various public and private organizations and provide the necessary qualifications for starting the business.

For yogurt shops offering counter service only, the shop must have a large , bright window display that allows outsiders to see inside and be encouraged to enter. For this reason, the shop should be painted in sober but pleasant colors, and the furnishings should be welcoming and well-designed, classic or more modern depending on taste. The best solution is to make the shop appealing to the widest possible customer base : children and adults, youth groups and families, students and workers.

The sales counter should have a large display case , and it’s very important that the product is highlighted with suitable lighting . High tables and stools can be placed in front of it , as well as shelves along the wall of the store, so that customers who wish can consume the product inside the store.

If space permits, it may also be a good idea to place a vending machine for drinks and/or an automatic coffee machine inside the yogurt shop, if the shop does not have a specific license to serve drinks.

As for the back laboratory, this must be equipped with a machine for the production of yogurt and probiotics , a large-capacity refrigerator or refrigerated cabinet, a yogurt fermenter , machines for making crepes, waffles, ice cream and smoothies if you intend to sell these products as well.

Stainless steel tables , sinks , and shelves complete the laboratory equipment; production staff must wear specific clothing that meets hygiene and health requirements, while those in contact with customers may be provided with a special uniform (apron, cap, T-shirt, etc.).

Own or franchise yogurt shop?

Like many other commercial activities, there are two main ways to open a yogurt shop: independently or by taking advantage of the franchising option .

Starting your own business requires significant personal commitment from the entrepreneur, who must obtain all the necessary licenses for opening, complete the bureaucratic formalities , purchase the equipment and furnishings needed for the store, and so on.

Since these are often quite complicated issues, it is advisable to rely on an accountant who can assist with the bureaucratic and fiscal matters of the yogurt shop, both before and after its opening.

Starting your own business is a challenging choice, but ultimately it translates into the ability to customize and specialize your business, with complete freedom in choosing the products to offer customers, the methods of serving them, and the overall management of the yogurt shop .

There is also the alternative of franchising : in the yogurt sector there are many franchisors, that is, companies that operate in the sector and offer entrepreneurs the possibility of relying on their own brand , commercial reputation and technical-practical knowledge (the so-called ” know-how “) to start their own business.

These are organizations that, in exchange for an initial investment and a percentage of future earnings, support entrepreneurs throughout all organizational and management phases. This can be a valuable aid for those unfamiliar with commercial activities or simply wanting to simplify starting their business.

But franchising remains binding , as it imposes its own brand, products and specific conditions of sale on the yogurt shop, meaning whoever manages the business has less opportunity to differentiate and personalize it.