MILFORD —
Cool news will soon be arriving for frozen yogurt lovers as a Red Mango franchise is scheduled to open in Boston next month.
The franchise owner, Tarang Gosalia, a 22-year-old Milford native and 2009 Babson College graduate, owns the distinction of being the company’s youngest franchisee. His store, located at 334 Massachusetts Ave. across from Symphony Hall, will also be the first Red Mango franchise to open in Massachusetts.
Gosalia plans to launch five Red Mango stores over the next seven years, capitalizing on a fast-growing company that serves a healthy product to the health-conscious crowd. For example, a four-ounce cup of frozen yogurt contains around 90 calories while a four-ounce cup of ice cream has about 360, Gosalia says.
Founded in South Korea in 2002, Red Mango made its American debut in Westwood, Calif., in 2007. Now based in California, the company grew from eight to 40 locations last year and expects to have 80 stores operational by year’s end. It plans to have 500 locations open or under development within the next four years.
"Red Mango is an ultra-modern and extremely health-conscious concept," says Gosalia, whose family owns and operates a printing franchise, Sir Speedy Printing, in North Attleboro. "Serving my customers a product that is good and more importantly good for them is something that really fits my ideal business model. Plus this is a concept that hasn’t really tapped into the Massachusetts market yet."
Red Mango’s main competition, Pinkberry, has yet to make inroads in Massachusetts so yogurt aficionados now get their frozen treats from independently owned operators. That will change come mid-October when Gosalia opens Red Mango.
The 1,800-square-foot store will offer 24 seats as well as patio seating. It will employ between 10 and 15. Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Before graduating from Babson, where he received a bachelor of science degree in business administration, Gosalia ran an event management company for the past seven years.
He recently talked about his new business with Daily News staff writer Bob Tremblay.
QUESTION: Why did you pursue owning a franchise?
ANSWER: Since entering Babson College, I have always preferred being financially independent and allowing myself to have direct control of my actions.
Franchising allows you to be your own boss, control your own work directly and, if implemented correctly, can give you great financial independence. In my ideal world, I would love to manage multiple franchises and continue to build my assets through a proven system. This model will allow me to get great experience in running my own business, which will further allow me to develop my business practice.
In addition, Red Mango also has a proven brand name with a very interesting health-conscious concept, which I believe will help me gain customer confidence in the product more effectively.
Q: What products does Red Mango serve?
A: The frozen yogurt comes in four flavors: original, green tea, pomegranate and Tangomonium, a newly created citrus flavor. The fruit and dry toppings include mangos, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, kiwi, raspberries, pineapple, coconut, Cocoa Pebbles, Fruity Pebbles, almonds, granola, graham crackers, cranberries, Ghirardelli chocolate, Cap’n Crunch and mochi - it’s like a Gummi bear but not as chewy.
These yogurts and toppings can also be mixed together to create a blender, or smoothie.
This summer, probiotic iced teas were added to the menu with flavors that include vanilla black tea, wildberry hibiscus tea and lemonade green tea.
(Probiotics are dietary supplements of live microorganisms.)
Red Mango frozen yogurt is authentic yogurt. Like yogurt, it contains calcium, protein and live and active cultures. It’s also rich in probiotics that scientific studies have shown to improve digestive health and create a stronger immune system.
The yogurts come in three sizes: regular, medium and large. Prices start at $3.
Q: How is Red Mango different from the frozen yogurt sold by the independent operators in Massachusetts?
A: Red Mango frozen yogurt is 100 percent all-natural, fat-free and certified gluten-free with zero transfats. The others aren’t. Red Mango’s frozen yogurt has also been certified by the National Yogurt Association’s Live and Active Culture Seal for meeting the required criteria for healthy frozen yogurt. The others haven’t been.
In March, Red Mango became the first retailer of frozen desserts to receive the stamp of approval from registered celebrity dietitian Ashley Koff.
And Red Mango’s yogurt is also kosher.
Q: Where can people get more information about the store?
A: Updates, specials and coupons will be available to customers at www.facebook.com/redmangoboston and www.twitter.com/redmangoboston. People can also e-mail me at redmangoboston@gmail.com. The company’s Web site is www.redmangousa.com.
