Why Encino Loves Menchie's Frozen Yogurt [Video]

With fire pits and a party room, Menchie's on Ventura Boulevard is known as the hangout after dark in Encino.

It's also the place where Menchie's Frozen Yogurt trains its franchisees.

"What happens here is future franchises come here for a two week program where they learn how to operate Menchie's," said Wesley Baker, a Menchie's educator. 

Yogi Tanna, Menchie's director of franchising, said Menchie's is all about being part of the community.

"The difference with Menchie's is we don't come from just wanting to open stores and make profit," Tanna said. "It's much more about our motto, which is 'We make you smile.'"

The first Menchie's opened in 2007 in Valley Village and now has 250 locations, including a new frozen yogurt store opening in China soon.

Baker said Menchie's mission is to put a smile on its customers faces.

"The community loves our fire pits, our misters during the summer when it is hot and it really attracts people," Baker said.

The frozen yogurt store is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays and until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights.

"If you're having that late night hunger and you need that mud pie or that ice cream, it's definitely the place to come," Baker said.