Cuppa Yo Frozen Yogurt Founders Tell All

Have you ever wondered what it is like to own your very own Cuppa Yo Frozen Yogurt store? To step behind the counter and welcome your community each day? We have the inside scoops from the Cuppa Yo owners, who know better than anyone what this journey is all about. 

Keith Clayton (and a few business partners) opened the very first Cuppa Yo in June 2010 with a simple mission to create a safe, clean, family-friendly space where people could enjoy premium frozen yogurt and a whole lot of fun. The first store, located in Westside Bend, quickly became a local favorite and the idea that Central Oregon had a hunger for more dessert options was proven. 

Within a year, they opened their second location on the East side of Bend, welcoming even more loyal customers, also known as ‘Cuppa Yomies.’ Today, fifteen years later, Cuppa Yo is sharing their love for froyo and community with more than 15 franchised locations across eight states! 

Crystal joined Keith on a mission to help Cuppa Yo grow by continuing to offer great customer service, delicious hand-created flavors and the vision of sharing the love of Cuppa Yo with families and franchises across the U.S. They really know what it really takes to build and own a Cuppa Yo of your very own by personal experience. 

What inspired you to open your first Cuppa Yo Frozen Yogurt shop in Bend, Oregon?

In the very beginning, the idea of opening a frozen yogurt shop appealed to us because it felt approachable, fun, and refreshingly simple. Neither of us had come from a business background, so we were looking for something that didn’t feel intimidating and was fun. Frozen yogurt seemed to fit that perfectly.

Keith, who had been working as a teacher after college, had seen firsthand how popular self-serve frozen yogurt shops were in both college towns and tourist destinations. The concept felt joyful and community-oriented, which resonated with us.

What made you feel that Cuppa Yo was the right fit for your business?

From the start, we knew that if we were going to build a business, it had to align with our core values. One of those values is fun, and Cuppa Yo embodied that spirit. It gave us the chance to create a space that felt upbeat, positive, and genuinely welcoming for everyone who came in.

With our background in teaching, we were also excited about the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on young people. Cuppa Yo offered a natural environment for mentorship, where we could support, encourage, and help guide our team as they stepped into the working world.

How did your community embrace you? 

In the first few years in Bend, we poured all our energy into being relevant. As we were the first frozen yogurt shop in the area, we had the advantage of introducing something new to Bend, and the community showed that it was needed!

We really embraced our customers, getting to know them, showing genuine gratitude for their support, and creating an atmosphere where everyone felt welcome. Our regulars, known to us as ‘Yomies', really became the heart of our business. 

Frozen yogurt also has a special place in people’s everyday routines. Seniors, families, and kids in particular loved the interactive experience of building their own creations. That hands-on, customizable aspect made it more engaging than a typical dessert place. In many ways, Bend needed a place like this. Their support and excitement made us feel welcomed from day one. 

What’s been the most rewarding part of running and growing Cuppa Yo into a franchise?

One of the most rewarding parts of owning Cuppa Yo has been the freedom and flexibility that come with running our own business, and the ability to choose when and how we work. It has been so rewarding to build up a team, who, for many, Cuppa Yo is their first job. It is incredibly fulfilling to watch them grow, both personally and professionally. 

As we have expanded into a franchise, it has required a significant time commitment to grow the brand, but the payoff is worth it. We love seeing other owners step into this model and experience the benefits of running a fun, community-oriented business. We carefully pick who we bring into the franchise family. Our owners are people who value family, flexibility, and being warm, engaged local business owners.

What’s a typical day like for you as a business owner? 

Our days are always full and varied, but they tend to follow a consistent pattern. We always start the day by checking the calendar, to see what we have on. Usually, next, we review when orders are scheduled to arrive so we know what needs attention and when. 

Before the doors open, we like to get into the store to make sure everything is set up and ready for the day. Once the staff arrive, we let them focus on the day-to-day running of the store, while we dedicate time to working on the business, from marketing to basic administrative tasks. 

As we are franchise owners now, another part of our daily routine includes meeting other Cuppa Yo store owners to help them navigate the day-to-day tasks of running a business. The end of the day is one of our favorite times. Between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., the stores are often at their busiest, with regulars, families, and groups pouring in. 

What do you love most about the local communities you serve?

In Bend, we’ve always felt that Central Oregon is a uniquely special place to both live and run a small business. The sense of community here is strong, and people love to see a local business thrive. 

As we’ve expanded into franchising, we have loved discovering the personality and energy of every new community we enter. Each one is so different, yet shares a charm and character that link them to Cuppa Yo. 

Even as we’ve grown across the US, opening 14 stores, it’s amazing to see how much we have grown, but the heart of the brand still feels like a small business. No matter where we go, every community brings something special. 

What advice would you give to someone thinking about opening their own Cuppa Yo?

The biggest piece of advice we have is simply just do it for the right reasons. Running a Cuppa Yo is incredibly rewarding, but the people who thrive the most are those who genuinely care about the community and connection.

If you are thinking of opening your own Cuppa Yo, you should be someone who: 

• Loves your community 

• Passionate about mentorship 

• Truly cares about each customer 

• Enjoys being entrepreneurial, no two days are the same 

• Is ready to get a little scrappy

• Loves to interact with people 

What has surprised you most about being a franchisor?

One of the biggest surprises has been realizing that being an awesome person doesn’t automatically translate into being a successful frozen yogurt shop owner. If someone has an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to be a part of something greater in the community, they tend to thrive. 

Another surprise has been the camaraderie among our franchise owners. We’ve built a team of people who are like-minded, collaborative, and eager to share ideas. You feel you are so much more than a small business owner, it’s an inspiring group of people. That sense of community within our franchise family has been one of the most rewarding surprises of all.

What are your goals or dreams for future Cuppa Yo locations?

We would love to see Cuppa Yo become a true community fixture for more and more communities across the country, just like it is in Central Oregon. 

What’s your personal favorite froyo flavor or combo right now?

Crystal: Lemon Dole swirled with Genuine Tart. 

Keith: Acai flavor that Crystal created, and the Cardamom Ocean Roll flavor that she created as well. 

What are the most popular flavors or toppings among your customers?

Everyone loves the classics, vanilla and chocolate. We love watching kids create the wildest combinations, but our personal favorites are when they get chocolate fro-yo and top it with a bunch of gummy candy. 

Another fan favorite is the chocolate peanut butter combo, topped with peanut butter candy. This inspired us to create Cuppa Deluxe, our line of pre-made flavors! 

If you could describe Cuppa Yo in three words, what would they be?

Fun. Creative. Delicious.