TCBY Celebrates 30 Years of History as America's Frozen Yogurt Pioneer

Commemorates Occasion With YouTube Contest and New Flavor


SALT LAKE CITY, UT--(Marketwire - January 5, 2011) - Thirty years ago, Ronald Reagan was named America's 40th President and Time Magazine's Man of the Year. The iconic broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite retired from CBS News. Prince Charles and Lady Diana married in front of 750 million viewers worldwide, and MTV launched the first ever television channel dedicated solely to music. That same year, 1981, America got its first taste of TCBY frozen yogurt, the company credited with pioneering the fro-yo industry. 

Founded by Frank and Georgia Hickingbotham in Little Rock, Ark., TCBY set out to be the country's best yogurt, serving what would become its classic trademark swirl. Over the years, the company has grown to more than 600 locations around the world and serves up more than 70 flavors of frozen yogurt. Arguably the best tasting yogurt in the industry, TCBY has spent many of its 30 years perfecting the combination of taste and nutrition, making it the healthiest yogurt in the market today with seven live active cultures, Vitamins A & D, probiotics, dietary fiber, protein and calcium.

"This company has such a rich culture, and still exudes Frank and Georgia's happy, healthy, good-for-you atmosphere," says Tim Casey, CEO of TCBY. "Thirty years is a remarkable time for a concept that many felt was a fad when it first began. The food and beverage industry has seen so many changes over the years, but TCBY has always remained a constant in offering a healthy indulgence for those looking to reward themselves in a nutritious way." 

To kick off the 30th Anniversary, TCBY will offer a classic favorite, Red Velvet Cake soft serve frozen yogurt, for a limited time. The Red Velvet Cake fro-yo packs a punch of nutritionals and indulgence, but falls under the new classification for healthy frozen yogurt called "Super Fro-Yo," the healthiest frozen yogurt in the country with less than 120 calories per serving size.

In celebration of its 30-year milestone, TCBY will host a YouTube contest offering fans of the brand a chance to tell the world what TCBY means to them in a 30-second jingle, a song, a personal story, a poem or whatever way they choose to express themselves and their connection with The Country's Best Yogurt. The winner will receive an entire year of free fro-yo at any of the locations nationwide. To enter, fans, 18 years and older, must submit an entry form at www.tcby.com along with a link to their video on www.YouTube.com. The contest begins at 12 am MT on January 1, 2011 and will conclude at 11:59 pm MT on February 28, 2011. The winner will be announced on or before March 15, 2011.

"We couldn't have picked a better time to celebrate such a milestone for the brand," adds Casey. "We have so many significant initiatives in play that collectively will redefine the brand going forward. TCBY has held onto all that past generations have loved about it, but the brand is going through a real evolution in terms of redefining healthy indulgence and being cross generational, even connecting with foodies. As it relates to the brand's growth, 2011 will be our strongest year, domestically and internationally, in a long time."

Contact Information:

Media Contact:
Christy Olliff
Trevelino/Keller Communications Group
404-214-0722 Ext. 117
colliff@trevelinokeller.com