Key Takeaways
- A number of years in the past, Ken and Sarah Barlow realized their South Carolina metropolis didn’t have a self-service frozen yogurt enterprise.
- They began working with 16 Handles in early 2024 and opened their franchise location in June 2025.
- Of their first six months, they did $1 million in gross sales.
For Ken and Sarah Barlow, the concept to open a frozen yogurt franchise began throughout a easy household second. Their younger daughter requested if she may go someplace to “make her personal ice cream” or select her personal flavors and toppings. The couple realized that their hometown of Forest Acres, South Carolina, didn’t have a self-service frozen yogurt enterprise on the time.
“That hole mattered not simply to her, however to households like ours who cherished that have,” Sarah tells Entrepreneur in a brand new interview. “That second planted the seed.”
The couple realized that bringing a self-service frozen yogurt store to the realm wouldn’t simply fulfill a necessity; it could additionally open the doorways to “one thing joyful” and “community-centered,” Sarah says.
“This neighborhood has at all times been residence for us,” she provides. “We’re complete foodies who love frequenting our favourite spots in Forest Acres. Supporting different native companies is one thing we genuinely get pleasure from.”
The Barlows selected a 16 Handles franchise in early 2024 and opened their retailer in June 2025. Inside six months of opening, that they had finished $1 million in gross sales.
The interview beneath has been edited for readability and concision.
Going into franchising
Stroll me by way of the second you determined, We’re really going to purchase this franchise.
Sarah: There wasn’t actually one dramatic second the place we simply wakened and determined to do it. It was extra a collection of conversations and analysis that steadily gave us confidence that this was the precise alternative.
As we realized extra about 16 Handles, talked with the franchise workforce, reviewed the numbers and realized about their imaginative and prescient for the way forward for the corporate, we began to really feel extra snug with the choice. We may see how the idea would slot in our market and felt just like the model had room to develop.
What assumptions did you will have about franchising getting in that turned out to be unsuitable?
Ken: One assumption we had going into franchising was that as a result of there was a longtime company construction, every little thing would run very easily on a regular basis. We rapidly realized that franchises are nonetheless operated by folks, and like several enterprise, there may be challenges and hiccups alongside the best way. What stunned us is that being a franchise proprietor nonetheless requires loads of flexibility and problem-solving. The franchise system provides you an incredible basis and assist, however you’ll be able to’t simply put issues on autopilot. You continue to must adapt when points come up and work carefully with the company workforce to search out options. That’s most likely been considered one of our greatest classes as homeowners.
Progress methods
You constructed a $1 million enterprise in simply six months. How did you do it? What had been a few of your ways for progress?
Sarah: An enormous a part of our progress actually got here down to 2 issues: location and being energetic locally from day one. We had been very intentional about securing what we felt was the absolute best location for our retailer in a extremely trafficked buying middle in a densely populated a part of city. That visibility and regular circulation of foot visitors made an enormous distinction early on. It put us in entrance of individuals always, which helped us construct consciousness rapidly and constantly usher in new company.
The second main issue has been how deeply we’ve tried to plug into the neighborhood. Since opening, we’ve hosted over 70 fundraising occasions for native nonprofit organizations, and we’ve additionally made it a precedence to assist native sports activities groups, colleges and dance firms immediately. These relationships have been extremely significant, however they’ve additionally helped drive actual, repeat visitors into the shop. For us, progress hasn’t been about one single tactic — it’s been about being in the precise place and ensuring we’re exhibiting up for the neighborhood in an actual, constant manner.
Ken: Group partnerships and native occasions have been an enormous a part of our enterprise. I wouldn’t say they’re simply “good to have” — they’ve had an actual impression on our income and, simply as importantly, on constructing a loyal buyer base.
Recommendation for potential franchisees
What motion steps did you’re taking if you determined you needed to discover franchising? What do you advocate for individuals who don’t know the place to start out?
Ken: As soon as we determined we had been critical about exploring franchising, the very first thing we did was get our monetary scenario so as. We checked out what we may realistically make investments, talked with lenders and made positive we totally understood the whole value — not simply the preliminary franchise payment, however build-out, working capital and every little thing that comes with opening a location.
From there, we spent loads of time researching completely different franchise manufacturers and actually attempting to grasp the programs behind them. We requested loads of questions, talked to present franchisees and tried to get a sensible image of what day-to-day operations would really seem like.
We additionally went into it figuring out it wasn’t going to be a fast course of. Between discovery calls, approvals, web site choice, leases, building and coaching, it takes time. Most likely longer than most individuals count on initially. For anybody simply beginning out, our greatest advice could be to get financially ready early and be affected person with the method. Don’t rush into it. Take the time to essentially perceive the model you’re contemplating, speak to as many individuals as you’ll be able to and be prepared for a studying curve. Franchising is usually a nice path, nevertheless it’s not an in a single day resolution; it’s a dedication that takes planning and persistence.
Recommendation for his or her previous selves
When you may speak to yourselves the week earlier than signing the franchise settlement, what would you say?
Sarah: I feel we’d inform ourselves two issues: First, belief your instincts, and second, be affected person. There are such a lot of unknowns earlier than you signal a franchise settlement, and it’s straightforward to second-guess your self or surprise in case you’re making the precise resolution. Wanting again, the entire analysis, questions and due diligence we did gave us a strong basis, and we’d remind ourselves to belief the work we had already put in.
We’d additionally inform ourselves that every little thing goes to take longer than anticipated. From web site choice and building to allowing and opening day, nearly each step of the method takes extra time than you suppose it would. That’s not essentially a nasty factor; it’s simply a part of constructing a enterprise.
Most significantly, we’d inform ourselves that the lengthy hours and challenges will likely be price it. Seeing the shop turn out to be part of the neighborhood, supporting native organizations and watching prospects make 16 Handles a part of their routines has been extremely rewarding. The journey received’t at all times be straightforward, nevertheless it’s one we’ll be glad we took.
