Design Your Own Dessert at New Yogo Factory

I scream, you scream, we all scream for … frozen yogurt?

Anyone in the mood for a creamy treat should familiarize himself with Yogo Factory, a new face in a place familiar to Haddon Township residents: the Haddon Avenue storefront formerly occupied by Wow Video.

The business opened its doors Wednesday afternoon as the area’s newest frozen yogurt shop.

Yogo Factory is a weigh-and-pay shop. A rotation of 16 flavors of frozen yogurt or sorbet runs the gamut from cheesecake and cake batter to fruity and tart flavors. Then there are the toppings, all 100 of them: traditional candy, pretzel pieces, fresh fruits and an array of syrups. Each creation is weighed for the final price.

When searching for a spot to open his latest franchise, Yogo Factory CEO and President Brian Petruzzi wanted a location that could handle a lot of foot traffic—an expected 2,000 customers daily—and that offered parking.

Petruzzi considered both Collingswood and Haddonfield, but the boroughs lost out to Haddon Township on the parking issue. The shopping plaza in which Yogo Factory is situated has its own free parking lot, plus metered street parking along Haddon Avenue.

“We’re centrally located, so we want to serve all of these communities, from Haddon Township to Collingswood and Haddonfield,” Petruzzi said.

A steady stream of customers filtered in from the 62-degree afternoon soon after the 1 p.m. grand opening, giving Petruzzi hope that Yogo Factory will become a community meeting place.

“We don’t want people to rush in and rush out," he said. "This is a place to hang out. We offer a family environment.”

The shop features a long bar with seating as well as booths and outdoor tables. Petruzzi also plans to add benches along the street along with other aesthetic improvements, such as new greenery and signage.

Petruzzi isn’t new to the frozen yogurt game. He oversees 16 Yogo Factories in the region, spreading out from Philadelphia to , Rio Grande, Somers Point, Ocean City, Egg Harbor, Swedesboro, Sicklerville and Somerdale.

Nor is he new to small business operations in general. The Stockton College alumnus double-majored in business and biology and has run his own businesses since age 19: a graphic design firm, tanning salons and a movie rental shop.

All told, Petruzzi estimates Yogo Factory will create 150 jobs in New Jersey. He employs about 20 people at the Haddon Township location.

But the most important question still remains. With thousands of possible flavor combinations, which one should you try first?

“I like tart flavors, so I usually pick tart blueberry and fresh fruit, then put some blueberry or acai syrup on it,” he said.

If You Go

Address: 48 Haddon Ave., Haddon Township

Phone: 856-833-9646

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-midnight (hours will change seasonally)

Websites: YoGoFactory.com; facebook.com/YoGoFactoryHaddonTownship

Good to know: Show your Philly sports pride and get free yogurt. Wear orange when the Flyers play, red when the Phillies play and green during Eagles games, and get 4 ounces of yogurt for free.

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