Dan Kim takes frozen yogurt seriously. Inside a testing kitchen in a Los Angeles corporate office, he pulls down a stainless steel lever and carefully catches a smooth swirl in a small white container.

“This is the original,” says Kim, president of Red Mango, Inc., making sure the frozen concoction tops off with a perfect point. “I don’t know how they make their product, but ours is authentic. This is a different class.”

Next month, Red Mango will open its first U.S. location in Westwood, Calif. With its signature red “O” splashed on 140 storefronts in South Korea, the frozen yogurt chain is ready to introduce itself to the American consumer.  

But, as Kim knows, the debut won’t be easy.

Red Mango is squeezing into a land that’s already been saturated with frozen yogurt hype. In the past year or so, Southern California has become somewhat of the fro-yo capital of the universe, with folks across town downing thousands of cups of the fruit-topped frozen confection.

Taking center stage in the frenzy is the Korean-owned Pinkberry, Red Mango’s primary competitor. Its story is a blend of inspirational, little-business-that-could entrepreneurship and catty drama. And its concept is strikingly similar to Red Mango’s.

In this saga that has captured the eye (and taste buds) of foodies, the media and all those curious about the nonfat snack sensation, things are about to stir up.   

 

The “It” Fro-Yo

In January 2005, Pinkberry opened as a 650 square-foot shop in West Hollywood. Curious folks walked in, liked what they tasted and came back for more. Soon attracting a cult-like following, Pinkberry, referred to by its addicts as “Crack-berry,” now has 11 locations in Southern California and three in New York. People have waited up to an hour in the summer sun for a serving of the tangy treat, dubbed “the leg warmer of food trends” by the New York Times.

Pinkberry serves only two flavors of frozen yogurt: plain and green tea. The taste is tart, unlike the ultra-sweet fro-yo of the ‘80s and ‘90s, made popular by dessert chains such as TCBY. Some customers even say it’s reminiscent of the miniature, foil-topped yogurt drinks in Japan, China and Korea, often served as an after dinner refresher. Customers can add on toppings such as fresh fruit, nuts or, if they’re in need of a sugar kick, Fruity Pebbles cereal.

Red Mango KOREA. Photos courtesy of Red Mango and James Saunders

Celebrity gossip site PerezHilton.com described the Pinkberry experience as “spiritual”: “You’re just so happy while eating it that you release serotonin in exorbitant amounts and you really feel high,” one anonymous fan proclaimed. Food blogger Colleen Cuisine summed up the taste like this: “My first bite of Pinkberry felt distinctly sour. … But the sweetness creeps up on you by the second or third bite and it starts to taste … simply amazing.”