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Preparing for “Busy Season”

Did you have a slow winter or maybe even close for the winter cold?  Spring is around the corner which makes now a great time to start preparing to open back up or generate new interest for the year. 

Here are some insights you might consider as you prepare for the warmer weather. 

SOCIAL MEDIA:  To generate interest, don’t forget to use Social Media.  Some people with home businesses ONLY do business using Social Media and understand what a great tool it can be.  Don’t overwhelm your customers or followers with too many posts, but regular reminders and posts are great!

PROMOTIONS:  Start thinking of promotions you can use throughout the year.  Whether it is stamp cards to earn free yogurt, or maybe even a contest where someone gets to choose their favorite flavor as “Flavor of the Week” or have a “Customer of the Month.”  Whatever you choose to do, don’t forget how important it is to be part of your community.  Get involved in sponsoring local teams or schools and get your name out there. 

TRAINING:  Use this time for training your employees better, make sure everyone is on the same page with not only operating procedures but with the excellent customer service you want to offer your customers.  Quiz your staff on product knowledge such as how to put air into the product to make it creamier or why your product is better than most.

NEW MENU ITEMS:  Start thinking of things you can easily add to your menu that will generate more interest and excitement.  Things like salads, soups, and bakery items.  Anything that will help you to diversify and attract new customers is a good thing.  Remember to clear it with your landlord.  

INVENTORY:This is a great time to take a really good inventory.  Go through everything and make sure that expiration and best buy dates are still good.  Move everything that needs to be used first to the front and don’t forget to rotate your stock as new items come in. 

MAINTENANCE: Don’t forget to have your machines looked over.  Replace any worn parts, lube well and clean thoroughly.  The better care you take of your machines, the longer they will last.

NEW FLAVORS:This is a good time to also think about changing out a few yogurt flavors on your menu.  NANCIS.COM is a great resource for flavor ideas and new flavor cards and graphics.  Watch for our newsletters for Nanci’s flavor specials.  And if there is ever a new flavor you’d like us to carry, type it in the “Notes” section at checkout on FroCup.com.  

We love to hear your creative recipe ideas!  Here is one we liked that a client shared:  Candy Bar Flavor: 1/2 bag Chocolate Base + 1/2 bag Vanilla Base + 3 oz Salted Caramel + 3 oz Peanut Butter + 2 gallons water.  Think outside the box and try something new!  You’ll be surprised how many flavors are good in different bases; try Strawberry or Red Raspberry in chocolate and see what you think!   

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Tips for buying a soft-serve machine

When opening a frozen yogurt store, the soft-serve machines will be the largest single expense. A good machine is critical to serving good product. There are several basic things you need to know about frozen yogurt machines. This information may seem overwhelming, but given that you might spend $50,000 on your soft-serve machines, the investment of your time will be worth it.

The Basics
To make frozen yogurt you’ll need a commercial grade soft-serve machine (soft-serve machines and frozen yogurt machines are the same thing). Here are the basic components of the machine:

  • Hopper – the area where you pour the frozen yogurt mix.
  • Freezing cylinder – this is a small shaft that sits horizontal inside the machine. The mix drips from the hopper into the freezing cylinder where it freezes.
  • Beaters – these are inside the freezing cylinder and they spin around to keep the mix from freezing solid. They also help whip air into the machine and make a nice creamy product.
  • Front plate – this is the piece that goes on the front of the machine with the handles. It also includes the opening where the frozen yogurt is dispensed. Most machines have a star shaped design where the product comes out – giving the frozen yogurt the look we all recognize.
  • Overrun – this is the air that is in the frozen yogurt mix. Air is critical to making a nice creamy product. Without overrun, the product will come out dense, icy, and won’t taste right. Visit the Training page on the Nanci’s website for a video on how to control overrun.

Machine Sizes
There are several different sizes, but for our purposes we’ll break it down into two types – floor model and counter-top model.

Floor model – these machines go all the way to the floor and are on rollers. They are either medium or high capacity and usually require 220-volts, but not always (see the section on electricity). They usually have two flavors and a twist (although they can come in a one-flavor model). For frozen yogurt shops, this is usually the best option.

Counter-top model – these machines sit on a counter or cart. They are usually low capacity to medium capacity. They are available with one flavor one two flavors and a twist. These machines can be a good option as an add on to an existing concept, like a sandwich shop.

Electricity
Most medium to high-capacity frozen yogurt machines require 220 volt electricity, although some are 115 volts. In either case, they will require different outlets than your standard home electrical outlet. They will also require higher amps than normally. Be sure to check with an electrician to see what will be required and how much it will cost.

Gravity versus Pump
This refers to how the mix gets into the freezing cylinder. With a gravity machine the hopper is at the top of the machine. The mix is poured into the hopper and then gravity pulls the mix into the freezing cylinder. With a pump machine, the hopper is pressurized and the mix is pumped into the freezing cylinder. The advantages to a gravity fed machine is that they cost less and are easy to fix. The advantages to a pump machine is that you have complete control over the amount of air you put into the final product. This can affect the quality of your product and the cost.

Gravity machines can put in up to 45% air and pump/pressurized machines can put in up to 100% air (which means equal parts mix and air).

Air Cooled versus Water Cooled
The motors in soft-serve machines produce heat and need to be cooled. The two methods for cooling are either air cooled with a fan or water cooled with pipes that run water through the machine to cool it. Overall, we recommend air cooled because they are less expensive to install and need less maintenance.

Air cooled machines don’t require any additional investment when installed, and they can be less expensive to operate (depending on your electricity costs versus water costs). Water cooled require installation of a water system, which can cost $15,000-$40,000. Water cooled machines make less noise and produce less heat. You may save on utility costs if your water costs are much lower than your electricity.

Soft-Serve Machine Companies
There are several companies that manufacture and sell frozen yogurt machines. Some are made in the United States and others are made in other countries, like China. Prices on floor models range from $5,000 to $15,000. The machines will vary in quality, warranty offered, and production capacity. The right machine for you depends on your constraints (like cash or the ability to finance) and your goals (how many machines you need, the type of concept you are doing). There isn’t always just one right answer for what machine you should buy. Contact a frozen yogurt expert at Nanci’s and we can discuss it with you. We don’t sell machines, so we’re a great neutral, third-party to talk with.

If you decide to buy machines at the low-end of the price range, make sure to machines are made with good materials and parts. For example, all machines are made with stainless steel, but steel has different grades of quality. Some machines that are made with the low-quality stainless steel can rust and cause many problems.

Also, keep in mind that regardless of the brand of soft-serve machine you purchase, you’ll want to make sure you have good access to service. All machines break at some point, and you’ll need a good technician that can work on them.

In your negotiations with machine companies be sure to ask for free in-person training and free parts (such as o-rings and machine lube). Some companies offer free Nanci’s product to off set the initial costs of the machine.

If you have any questions call Nanci’s Frozen Yogurt at 1-800-788-0808.

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Diary of a Diabetic: the Power of Stevia

We received some great feedback about our Stevia Frozen Yogurt Mix from a type 2 diabetic named Steve (this is a real experience but names have been changed to protect the innocent). Keep in mind that this is not a conclusive scientific study, but rather one person’s anecdotal account.

On two different days, Steve measured his blood sugar level before eating frozen yogurt and two hours after. He compared YoCream, which is sweetened with lots of sugar, and Nanci’s stevia-sweetened frozen yogurt. Keep in mind that Steve does not take any medications to control his blood sugar levels.

Here are his results:

Day 1: YoCream sucrose (table sugar) sweetened frozen yogurt
Starting blood sugar level: 135
Blood sugar level 2 hours after eating 4 oz. of YoCream: 280

Day 2: Nanci’s Stevia Frozen Yogurt
Starting blood sugar level: 123
Blood sugar level 2 hours after eating 4 oz. of Nanci’s: 116

These numbers mean that the Nanci’s Stevia Frozen Yogurt had no affect on Steve’s blood sugar level, while the YoCream product caused his blood sugar to spike dramatically.

For many people with diabetes who can’t handle sugar, stevia is an excellent option. It is an herb from South America that has been used as a natural sweetener for centuries. The leaves of the Stevia plant have a clean refreshing taste and have zero calories, zero glycemic index, and zero carbs. And it’s 300 times sweeter than sugar, so you can use very little of it. And best of all, it is natural!

Check out our Vanilla Stevia Frozen Yogurt mix on our website. We also have a Chocolate Stevia Frozen Yogurt mix coming soon.

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Three keys to starting your own frozen yogurt business

Here are three vital keys to starting a frozen yogurt business on your own:

1. Business understanding and experience. If you don’t have these skills find a partner or advisor who does.

  • Basic money management skills (payables and receivables).
  • Inventory management.
  • Attention to detail.
  • People management skills.

2. Find great suppliers. Great suppliers should be more like partners with you. They can give you advice and help solve your problems. You’ll need suppliers for:

  • Frozen yogurt mix and flavorings – give us a call – we know a great company : )
  • Soft-serve machines.
  • Toppings.
  • Supplier, including cups and spoons.
  • Other equipment (Point of Sale system, sinks, refrigerator/freezer, toppings bar, tables, chairs, toppings containers, etc.).

3. Effectively market your frozen yogurt business. The elements of effective marketing include:

  • A great location.
  • In-store marketing and great customer service to drive repeat customers.
  • Advertising or other marketing that makes sense in your area (local newspaper or magazine, flyers at events, coupons, mailers, etc.).
  • Online and social media presence.
  • Word of mouth. Eventually this will be one of your greatest marketing tools, but you can’t just sit back and expect it to take off.

Most importantly, don’t overcomplicate things…and have fun!

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Shipping Q&A: International (Part 2 of 2)

Mysteries of Shipping Revealed: International Orders

This Q&A is part 2 in a 2 part series.  This article pertains to shipping internationally outside of the United States. 

How are international orders packed for shipping?

Initial sample orders are packed in a single cardboard box and labeled as samples and shipped with FedEx Express International or UPS International.  If you prefer to use your courier such as DHL, let us know.Warehouse Packing 3

Regular orders are packed in cardboard boxes stacked on a heat treated wooden pallet and wrapped in plastic wrap.  Mixed pallets and less than full pallets are always wrapped in purple.  Dry bases are the heaviest and will be stacked on the bottom with the flavoring bottles on top.  Cups and spoons and other supplies will then be stacked on top of those base mix and flavoring boxes.  All orders are double checked through our strict quality control process so you can be confident they will arrive according to your packing list.  Note on the bill of lading at delivery if there is any damage or missing boxes.  Claims must be filed within 5 days of delivery.

Which is the most cost effective way to ship?

Ocean shipping is definitely the least expensive way to move product around the world.  Carriers charge based on weight but mostly on volume so it makes sense to maximize the space on each pallet.  We can fit 60 cases of dry mix on each pallet.  If you are also ordering flavorings, it works well to remove a few cases of dry mix so the flavorings can fit on the same pallet.  Ocean shipping costs significantly less than air shipping.  

For example, shipping for a recent order of 30 cases to South Africa cost $3500 by airplane when it would have only cost $1200 by boat.  A similar order that shipped to China recently cost $2300 by air when it would have only cost $900 by boat.

What is the fastest way to get an international order?

Air shipping is definitely the fastest way to get any order.  For small sample orders, the only way to ship is by airplane.  These small orders are often necessary for the first time to take the product to customs agents in the destination country for testing and approval before a larger ocean order is place.  Shipping a 14 kg sample box to most countries costs about $200 and arrives usually in less than 7 days.

Larger orders such as a typical half (30 cases) or full pallet (60 cases) order take about 10 days by air as compared to 40 days by ocean.  Contact us for a specific quote for your country.

intl-shipping-1Do you ship to my address or to the port?

Door to Door means the shipment goes all the way from the factory to your doorstep.  Small packages shipped via FedEx Express International Air will ship this way and FedEx will bill the customs fees and tariffs directly to you upon delivery.  We don’t ship any international pallet orders Door to Door because the customs clearance process is your responsibility and transit stops at your port for import clearance.  Door to Port means the shipment leaves our factory and arrives at the ocean port or airport and then you clear it through customs and take delivery and arrange the destination country inland transport.  Door to Port is how we arrange the majority of our international shipments.  Port to Port means we deliver the goods to your freight forwarder in the USA and they take it from there.  They might also be willing to deliver it all the way to you via Port to Door – you can negotiate that with them if you decide to set up your own shipping. 

Can I use my own ocean freight forwarder?

Yes, many of our clients actually use their own freight forwarder to arrange the ocean shipping for themselves.  In those cases, it often works best to have us deliver the order to your freight forwarder’s warehouse in California or Florida.  We offer better inland USA transport rates than most freight forwarders.  They excel at offering good ocean rates but usually can’t beat our inland rates.

What about customs clearance?

All orders are shipped FOB Origin which means title of ownership passes from seller to buyer when the goods leave Nanci’s warehouse.  We don’t guarantee customs clearance.  Even when we have shipped for years to a country, unusual or random circumstances can lead to an order getting stopped at customs if the importer doesn’t have the correct import permit.  You always want to engage a good customs broker before placing your order to make sure you have all the proper permits and approvals from customs.  In addition to preparing to import food products, you’ll receive an international shipping authorization from us that will require you to agree to the following:

Wudel International Shipping Terms and Authorization

As the consignee, I acknowledge that Wudel International (Nanci’s Frozen Yogurt) is arranging shipping as a convenience to me.  I take full ownership of the shipment once it leaves Wudel’s factory/warehouse in the U.S.A.  Wudel does not pay destination charges, duties or customs charges and does not guarantee transit times, customs clearance, or delivery of goods — such details are the sole responsibility of the consignee.  Wudel is not responsible if goods are delayed in transit or if goods are rejected by customs for any reason.  The consignee is responsible to be aware of and to adhere to all applicable customs requirements to import food and dairy products and equipment purchased from the U.S.A.

Which are some countries where the Nanci’s products seem to be more easily imported?

With the right connections and permits, the products can be imported into any country.  Here is a list of recent ones that were fairly efficient:  Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Curacao, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Fiji, French Polynesia, Ghana, Greece, Guam, Honduras, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, South Africa, Surinam, Switzerland, Trinidad, UAE, Uganda, Venezuela, Vietnam.

Which are some countries where importing has been more difficult?

Dairy food products seem to be more closely scrutinized than non-dairy.  If you have concerns importing into these countries, you might consider trying our non-dairy lineup first.  Also, labeling is important in some countries.  Check with customs to make sure they don’t require an additional label on each box in the official language of that country with our plant code.  Here are some countries that may require extra preparation on your part to comply with customs demands: India, Japan, Australia, Spain, France, Saudi Arabia, Peru, Columbia, Thailand, Sril Lanka.

Are there any plans to have Nanci’s products available in my country from a distributor so I don’t have to import them through customs?

We love to have product already in country for you and in some countries it may be available.  Check with us to see if there is a local contact who has product or who can broker your order for you.  We may have another client in your country already importing for their own business and willing to import your order with theirs.

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Shipping Q&A: USA (Part 1 of 2)

Mysteries of Shipping Revealed: USA Orders

This Q&A is part 1 in a 2 part series. This article pertains to shipping within the United States. Check back later this summer for part 2 about international shipping.

Why are some of my orders delivered via FedEx Ground or UPS and others come on a pallet via semi truck?

The simple answer is we ship larger orders on a pallet and smaller orders with FedEx Ground.FedEx-ground-truck
There are some advantages to receiving orders on a pallet:

1 – The boxes arrive all together
2 – There is less risk of damaged boxes
3 – Delivery appointments are an option with pallet deliveries
4 – Large orders qualify for a bulk discount (e.g. our popular Baker’s Dozen Special)

What should I expect when my pallet arrives?

We send an email with the tracking information and usually an actual photo of your pallet. When your pallet arrives, it should look like the photo that was sent to you. We always wrap the LTL pallet orders in purple plastic wrap. All the truckers use clear wrap. So, if it arrives in clear wrap you know the trucker has unwrapped and re-wrapped it.

There are several things to look for when accepting your pallet order:

1 – Count the boxes. In your tracking email we usually let you know how many boxes to expect. If you order the Baker’s Dozen (13 cases) and no extra flavors, you will know to expect 13 boxes.

2 – Note obvious damage. Are the boxes broken or open? Is there any powder spilling out of a box? Are the boxes crushed? Any box that shows damage on the outside needs to be opened and checked on the inside. If the bags are not open and all 5 are there, then you don’t need to do anything. If bags are missing or damaged, then the damage needs to be noted on the driver’s copy of the bill of lading (BOL). If possible, please also take a photo of the damage, before and after opening the box. After the damage is noted, then go ahead and accept the pallet and call us to report the incident.

3 – Unpack the pallet. LTL (Less than Truckload) shipments are delivered outside your building. You or your staff will need to unwrap the pallet and carry the boxes into your building. The driver is not authorized to carry boxes into your building. They must simply drop the pallet by your front or back door.

Should I accept damaged shipments?

Smaller orders ship via FedEx Ground or UPS. FedEx and UPS are among the best at what they do. We have found them to be highly reliable in getting your order to you in a timely manner. Occasionally we get a message from them saying one of the packages has received some damage. In that case, we try to have them go ahead and deliver the package anyway. The intent is that at least you’ll get some of the order and in case you’re running low on product, better to receive something rather than nothing. In most instances of damage of dry mix, just 1 bag is leaking and the other 9 bags in the box are still fine.

When you receive the package, note the damage with the FedEx driver, take pictures, and then go ahead and accept it. Email us the photos at info@nancis.com and then give us a call and let us know how many bags were damaged and we will make arrangements for compensation with you. You can have confidence we’ll do what we can to get your products to you in a safe and timely manner.

Why do some items arrive separately?

Depending on the items in your order, we may ship from several different warehouses. We’ll note this on your packing list.  Also, sometimes boxes get separated at Shipping terminals.  This is normal and not a cause for concern.

How long will it take to get my order?

Delivery times are not guaranteed. We suggest storing a box of product offsite in case of an emergency. Sometimes your staff waits until you run out before they tell you they need something.

Here are the approximate delivery times depending on where you’re located in the USA:

Northeast: 5 business days
Midwest: 4 business days
South: 4-5 business days
Northwest: 3 business days
Southwest: 2 business days

Orders submitted on FroCup.com before noon will typically ship the same business day. Orders submitted after noon will ship the next business day.

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Fructose is the endurance sweetener

Check out this great article on fructose:
The farther you have to go, the more you’ll want to consider pure crystalline fructose. Because fructose, compared to glucose, helps the energy store in the muscles last longer.

Endurance and Muscle Glycogen. Carbohydrates stored in the body’s muscles are referred to as muscle glycogen. The more muscle glycogen available during sustained exercise, the greater the potential for improved endurance.

Sugars and Glycogen Storage. The various sugars have different effects on muscle glycogen depletion rates. Glucose, for example, provides a quick spurt of energy, but also triggers the release of insulin. This actually increases the depletion of muscle glycogen and also suppresses the conversion of fat to energy.

Fructose and Glycogen Storage. Taking fructose before exercise, compared to glucose, results in a much lower rate of muscle glycogen depletion. Because fructose does not cause a rapid rise in either blood sugar or insulin. It provides a steadier supply of blood sugar and helps the store in the muscles last longer. This carries the potential for greater endurance during exercise.

The Glycemic Edge. In recent years, emphases has been placed on the glycemic index in the evaluation of dietary carbohydrates. Glucose, which creates the greatest rise in blood sugar and insulin, has been assigned a glycemic index of 100. Foods which behave most like glucose have high index numbers. Fructose, however, has an index of 20, one of the lowest of the 63 carbohydrates on the list, and in this regard can be said to offer a “glycemic edge.”

 

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Spring Frozen Yogurt Flavor Recommendations

Spring has sprung! Shifting your flavors to match the season can help increase sales. Check out our Spring flavor recommendations below and feel free to be creative with flavor names.

APRICOT
APRICOT MANGO
BLACK CHERRY
BLACKBERRY
BLUEBERRY
BLUEBERRY POMEGRANATE
BOYSENBERRY
COTTON CANDY
GEORGIA PEACH
HAWAIIAN PINEAPPLE
HONEYDEW MELON
KEY LIME
KIWI
KIWI COLADA
LEMON MIST
LEMON-LIME
MANGO
MANGO STRAWBERRY
PASSION FRUIT
PINK GUAVA
STRAWBERRY COLADA
STRAWBERRY KIWI
STRAWBERRY LEMONADE
WATERMELON
WILD BERRY

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Machine Maintenance

The start of a new year is aSLX400En excellent opportunity to take a look at your soft-serve machine and make sure that it is primed and ready to go for 2016! This includes not only continually cleaning your machine, but also proper lubrication and checking for any wearable parts that may have seen better days. Annually is a good time to remove the side panels and visually inspect for leaks from the motor casing and loose connections. You should also take the temperature of the hopper and freezing cylinder on standby and auto modes and compare that to what the machine is saying to check that it is calibrated correctly still. Ensuring that your machine is running properly and that it is consistently producing a quality product throughout the year will be essential to your customer base and overall margins at the end of the year.

Cleaning your machine is an important aspect of maintenance to help the longevity of your machine. Get in the habit of cleaning your machine at least once a week. This process includes running a sanitizing agent through the machine, effectively killing any bacteria that may have grown or built up.  If your machine goes weeks without being thoroughly and properly cleaned harmful bacteria may build up and could potentially lead to spoiled product.

Once the sanitizing agent is mixed with water and poured into the hopper of the machine, put the machine on the wash cycle and allow the product to cycle through the machine for a period of 5 minutes. This will allow the sanitizing agent to reach all of the nooks and crannies of the machine, killing any remaining bacteria. Be careful not to enable a feature on the machine that willPacket x2 freeze down the product, as the process of the water freezing could severely damage your machine. Every other week, we recommend pulling all of the machine components such as the face plate and the freezing cylinder shaft and let them soak in hot soapy water as well. The process of cleaning the machine is simple in its procedure, and it can be done any employee if they are properly trained how to do so. Check out http://frocup.com/product/sanitizer-packets/ to get started today!

Lubrication is another key technique in keeping your machine running for an extended period of time. The main component of the machine that requires lubrication is the back end of the shaft that sits deeper inside the freezing cylinder. Pull this out and pull off the rubber gasket that fits on the end of it. Lubricate around the square piece at the end of the shaft and place the gasket back onto the lubricated piece. When you pull out the freezing cylinder shaft to clean it is an excellent time to lubricate it as well. Tubes of all-purpose lube are also sold at http://frocup.com/product/machine-lube/.

There are various wearable machine parts that can become damaged and wear down over time. The scraper blades, for example, attach to the shaft on the inside of the freezing cylinder wear down and don’t scrape the edge of the cylinder with the exactness and precision that they once did. This leads to the freezing of product on the edge of the cylinder and can lower the overall quality of your product. These scraper blades are different with each individual machine company so make sure the blade is rated for your model of machine before buying replacements. You can find various machine springs, seals, and O-rings as replacement parts at http://frocup.com/product-category/supplies/.

Look for general brittleness or the wearing down of plastic parts as key points in replacement. Replacing parts before they go out will save you from costly damage to other components of the machine and keep you from having a non-functioning machine during your peak season. Understanding your machine is very important in maintaining it over time. Pulling out all of the main components and familiarizing yourself with them as you sanitize, lubricate, and replace any necessary parts will help you to keep your machine running strong throughout 2016 and beyond.machine breakdown diagram