What looked like a large family reunion photo shoot at the Orange Leaf was actually a memorable snapshot in time as the proud owners and their families beamed at the camera in the self-serve frozen yogurt shop located in Ammon.
THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS TOO MANY COOKS IN THE KITCHEN
Running a business with just one owner is challenging enough so you can imagine the thought of having over eight families involved in a single franchise. Owners of Orange Leaf feel differently though, “The pressure of all the risk isn’t just on one person or family… says Brent Griffeth, co-owner of Orange Leaf. “We thought it would be great to involve as many people as possible who would be invested.” From accountants to builders, each owner brings in a unique set of skills that benefit the business. “Obviously you have a lot of different opinions on how to run things but this has been a fun investment,” says Deanna Bishop, another owner at Orange Leaf.
FROZEN BEGINNINGS
Brent’s wife, Kelly, was always on the hunt for the perfect frozen yogurt and ached for a frozen palace of her own to enjoy in Idaho Falls. Three years ago, the Griffeths started serious consideration on how to bring their favorite treat to Idaho Falls, and thus the search for the perfect blend of creamy, tasteful, and flavorful frozen yogurt began. Selecting the right franchise to bring to Idaho Falls wasn’t just a process of simple selection. Bringing others along with them, their search for the right “ingredients” [corny pun intended] with the right franchise stretched across California, Utah, Oregon, and Idaho.
Keeping a watchful eye on another Orange Leaf located in Bountiful Utah, the owners were convinced that the Orange Leaf Company was the best choice. “We did it because we like yogurt, and we wanted to have a fun energetic, happy, bright atmosphere,” says Brent.
In asking the owners for any advice they would give aspiring entrepreneurs, Deanna shares, “Double everything...time, money, etc…in your planning. This has been a fun endeavor for all of us…we learn about we like, what we would like, and where we want to take things. So much goes into opening a small business.”
A COMMUNITY EFFORT
Although Orange Leaf is a franchise, the owners strongly believe that their business is a community business. “Most of us are local people and it literally is a community investment and effort,” says Brent. Deanne pitches in, “When we got together we wanted to support the community. Yet the community support has been overwhelming. To get that support from the get-go…it’s been crazy and giving back [to the community] is high on our priority list.”
NOT JUSTANOTHER ICECREAM PARLOR
From the recessed disco ball placed in the ceiling to the shatter-proof glass tables, low-sitting chairs, and comfy sofa, the Orange Leaf experience is meant to bring friends and families closer as they experience a fun atmosphere. “People just come and hang out. We knew we needed something fun like this for families to go and do something,” says Deanna.
Lining two of the walls in Orange Leaf are the machines that dispense a variety of frozen yogurt flavors. In another area, a countertop is filled to the brim with candies, juices, fruits, and other confectionaries that would put Mr. Wonka himself into frenzy. Owner Brent Griffeth laughs as he describes the experience for children, “Kids’ eyes get huge, they grab a cup, and just sit there,” says Griffeth.
Visitors can have as many samples they want until they find the right flavor that suits their sweet tooth. “People will taste all our samples, have too many, and then they get confused,” Deanna tells. “We want to make it a place that feels like people are coming to their shop and that they will want to bring other people to their place…the place that they found.”
For more information, visit www.orangeleafyogurt.com.
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt
2797 S. 25th East
www.orangeleafyogurt.com
Hours: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Weekdays
11 a.m.–11 p.m. Weekends