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COVER STORY
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Phillip Chang

Founder and CEO – Yogurtland, Anaheim

OC METRO's Hot 25 for 2011Published: November 01, 2011

Status: Married with one daughter, age 11
What motivates you: My competitors
Hot Factor: The yogurt store that Phillip Chang started in 2006 has become the fastest-growing frozen yogurt franchise in the nation.

By the 1990s, Phillip Chang had built a successful business with 33 franchises by selling an Asian fruity drink known as “boba” (with dark tapioca balls at the bottom). Almost six years ago, he decided to create a boba-and-yogurt shop in Fullerton.
   
“I kept seeing that when customers ate the yogurt, they always left smiling,” Chang says. “That told me there was a great market for frozen yogurt.”
   
So he turned that shop into an all-yogurt store. Since then, Yogurtland has sprung into 162 franchise shops across the country, with 20 in Orange County and another 30 in Los Angeles County – all offering 42 flavors. The franchise numbers almost tripled over the last three years. The key to this success, Chang says, is to understand the franchise business, and “make sure you always have quality yogurt.” But don’t expect more Yogurtland shops in Orange County. Chang said he doesn’t want to hurt existing franchises.
   
Does he eat it himself?
   
“Peanut Butter and Cookies and Cream are my favorites,” he says. “But most customers prefer the basics; something with strawberry, vanilla, chocolate.”
   
If you’re interested in a Yogurtland franchise, it’s no small investment, but Chang says it’s worth it.

Editor’s Note: To see who made our “Hot 25” lists in prior years, visit our Archives page.
   
And, we’re now on the hunt for exceptional women who are impacting O.C. If you know someone who deserves to be on our 20 Women to Watch list, please let us know at our Nominate page.