Make your very own custom mix at Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt in Riverbank with ingredients that matter like live and active cultures, calcium, fresh fruit, spices, and nuts. After several years of research, preparation, and finding the best location along with overcoming the COVID-19 obstacle, Sunny and Satvir Athwal finally opened their very own Fro Yo franchise where bringing smiles and goodness to people is their specialty.
The self-service frozen yogurt shop now open in the Riverbank Crossroads offers a variety of 12 flavors and 32 toppings and has also started creating custom yogurt cakes. They follow all health department guidelines and offer guests gloves and masks. They sanitize everything on a regular basis. The patio is set up so guests can enjoy their custom creations with tables spaced over six feet apart.
Satvir is new to creating the cakes and is taking it step by step. They will have more fresh cake options coming soon.
There are a dozen flavors of frozen yogurt to choose from including such favorites as cake batter, Nutella, cookies n’ cream, New York cheesecake, strawberry, original tart, pomegranate razz sorbet, vanilla snow, and pure chocolate. They will change one flavor a month and offer seasonal flavors and fruit options.
They have two new flavors: toasty marshmallow and the rich and nutty pistachio. In only a few weeks the customer favorite has proven to be the Dole whip pineapple sorbet which is dairy free and gluten free with no artificial colors, no high fructose corn syrup, and low fat.
They have had customers from Oakdale, Escalon, and Modesto as well as Riverbank and Sunny explained that they all leave with smiles.
“We want you to be happy when you leave this place,” said Sunny. “It has been really good. Pretty busy too.”
After the family did the research on Menchie’s and they found a location the process took about four years. COVID pushed them back another six to seven months before they could officially open. During that time they had to continue to pay the lease as they did not want to lose it. Since they were not open yet they could not take advantage of some of the relief programs for small businesses. Despite the struggle they hung in there and were finally able to open on the Fourth of July.
“To be honest with you it was tough and at one point we were thinking what is the point,” said Sunny.
“It took us a long time,” added Satvir. “But we are glad to be here. It is hard with COVID-19. We were scared at first and then the little kids come and they are happy and that makes us happy.”
Although they were unable to have a ‘grand opening’ their opening day on July 4 was a success.
“We opened officially on July 4,” he added. “We wanted to do it on that day because it is Independence Day. No matter what in this country I think we are all lucky to be here. I don’t care what background you have or I or anybody; we are lucky. There are opportunities here. We had free yogurt and everything. It was really good. There were a lot of people.”
The Athwal’s explained that customers make custom creations that can include a mix of four or five flavors and a variety of toppings. They are both a bit simpler. Sunny likes vanilla with some bursting bobas and Satvir enjoys the pomegranate razz with some mochi on top. The self-serve shop allows guest to serve up as much as they would like; each bowl is priced individually based on the amount.
After three weeks and having about 10 people employed total including the Athwal’s, they are doing good and have future plans to open a new location in Manteca and possibly Lodi.
“It is a satisfying product,” expressed Sunny. “Our yogurt has been considered one of the best.”
Menchie’s is in the Crossroads Shopping Center next to Panera and is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information visit their Facebook, Instagram, website or call 209-502-7689.
