Famous Brands International based in Broomfield, Colorado, is a well-established franchisor in the premium snack food industry, featuring Mrs. Fields® and The Country’s Best Yogurt (TCBY®) as its core brands. Through its franchisees’ retail stores, it is one of the largest retailers of freshly-baked on the premises speciality cookies and brownies in the world, and the largest retailer of soft-serve frozen yoghurt with live active cultures. Its franchise systems operate through a network of more than 800 franchised and licensed locations throughout the United States and in 25 foreign countries. In addition, it operates an internet and catalogue gifting business, and has entered into licensing arrangements that leverage awareness of its core brands among its retail customer base.
Corporate Affiliation
In December 2013, Z Capital became the owner of Famous Brands acquiring the remaining minority stakes from Carlyle Group. James Zenni, President and Chief Executive Officer of Z Capital, says, “We are proud to become owners of Famous Brands International and support the management team as it continues to execute its business strategy. Mrs. Fields and TCBY are both iconic brands, and we are excited about their exceptional growth potential.” With capital in place and two long-standing brands that have the potential to shape their respective segments, domestically and internationally, coupled with an experienced management team and the company’s emphasis on innovation, it has strong expectations heading into the future.
“MRS. FIELDS AND THE COUNTRY’S BEST YOGURT ARE BOTH ICONIC BRANDS, AND WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THEIR EXCEPTIONAL GROWTH POTENTIAL”
THEN AND NOW
The Country’s Best Yogurt (TCBY) started in 1981 and has been in the Famous Brands portfolio since 2000. Today the company has more than 500 locations in over 20 countries. TCBY leads the market in nutrition, taste and new product innovation. Mrs. Fields Cookies started in 1977 and has been in the Famous Brands portfolio since 2000. Today the company has more than 300 locations in over 20 countries. www.tinyurl.com/GF-mrsfieldsfranchise, www.tinyurl.com/GF-tcby Contact: Todd Haavind, Tel: ( +1) 720-599-3351
