Fro-yo is cool, yo!

MANILA, Philippines – Something light, tasty and healthy is now tickling the taste buds of Pinoy consumers the same way Starbucks did when it first introduced its deluxe coffee in the country.

Already a hit in South Korea, frozen yogurt or fro-yo has found its way to our shores through Red Mango, a chic café which serves frozen yogurt delights that appeal to both the young and old.

Red Mango started in Seoul, Korea, in 2002. It follows the trend of healthier desserts, which is a fad here and abroad.

Compared to ice cream, its tough rival, fro-yo is healthier because it’s low in fat and calories. It is packed with calcium, protein, and beneficial live and active cultures also known as probiotics. These friendly bacteria are believed by health experts to help promote a healthy digestive and immune system.

So when enjoyed regularly, the live and active cultures protect our bodies against harmful bacteria that can cause various illnesses.

Whether in Original or Green Tea flavor, the light and fresh frozen yogurt confection not only tastes good but is also good for you.

Red Mango enjoyed tremendous success in Korea. Thinking that more and more consumers are now ready for premium yogurt, Red Mango expanded its reach to the US with more than 50 stores to date. They also opened shop in Singapore, Bangkok, and now in Manila.

Thank goodness for Sherika Tanmantiong and Kelvin Gaisano, the enterprising duo who managed to get the Red Mango franchise. Now, we, too, can enjoy the sour, tart, and better-for-you version of the fro-yo the world is crazy about.

Age Doesn’t Matter

At 24, Sherika Tanmantiong is slowly but surely making her presence felt in the food business, which is dominated by the family business — Jollibee Foods Corporation.

“I really wanted to put up my own business. It’s actually a toss between food and fashion — the things I’m passionate about. To be honest, I have my eyes set on fashion design because it means less pressure on my part. If I dabble in the food business, people might expect more from me because of Jollibee,” relates Sherika.

Just as Sherika was about to make fashion design as her bread and butter, she got a call from her sister Krystle, who is studying in New York.

“She told me that the trend there now is frozen yogurt served in a café-like environment. Needless to say, one of the key players is Red Mango,” says Sherika.

In 2008, Sherika’s business partner Kelvin Gaisano contacted Red Mango Korea and inquired about their franchise program.

“At that time, Red Mango was also planning to expand in Asia so we clinched the deal right away. Everything just fell into place,” Sherika enthuses.

During their visit to Manila, Red Mango officials were surprised when they found out how young Sherika and Kelvin are.

“My partner is 23 years old and he really has a baby face. So we were worried that they wouldn’t take us seriously. But in the end, our age worked to our advantage because they saw how passionate we are towards our craft. In fact, they told us that if they, too, started younger, who knows where Red Mango would be right now?” she notes.

What’s nice about the whole experience, Sherika adds, is that the Koreans weren’t aware that her family is into the food business. “I didn’t use my connections. Kelvin and I managed to close the deal on our own.”

It’s All In The Family

When Sherika told her parents of her business plan, they supported her decision right away.

“My mom really pushes us to do our own thing…to make a name for ourselves. I guess, it’s also what she’s been praying for,” Sherika says.

Summers spent as a crew member in Jollibee and Greenwich provided her with ample knowledge on store operations and on how to deal with people.

“It served as a training ground for me. It also helps that my parents have the expertise in running a food business. They said that for a business to succeed, we should always make our customers content and happy. It’s harder to get new customers than maintain good ones. Still, there are a lot of things you’ll learn through experience,” adds Sherika.

When asked how Red Mango changed her lifestyle, Sherika hastily replies: “I can’t afford to go on gimmicks often. I’m very hands on with the business. It taught me to be more resourceful and focused. It taught me how to plan and multi-task. My day starts and ends at Red Mango.”

Yogurt To Treat Yourself Well

Red Mango opened its TriNoma branch prematurely on Jan. 16 due to the clamor of customers.

“My staff was setting up the store when a group of Koreans approached and begged them to open shop right at that very moment. They were so excited to find their fave fro-yo café at the mall. Since we had the raw materials, we decided to give in to their demands. It was all worth it,” recalls Sherika.

A few months later, Red Mango opened two more branches in SM Megamall and Eastwood Mall.

Red Mango’s tagline “Treat Yourself Well” speaks of the brand’s vision of providing a healthier dessert alternative.

“It’s really about promoting a healthy lifestyle,” Sherika notes.

Unlike its competitors, the yogurt at Red Mango meets the National Yogurt Association’s criteria for live and active culture yogurt.

“Its selling point is the frozen yogurt itself. It’s made with all-natural ingredients and is non-fat,” explains Sherika.

Red Mango fro-yo is free of additives such as high-fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients.

At Red Mango, customers have the option to enjoy their frozen yogurt as is or with different toppings.

Available in Original and Green Tea flavors, Red Mango fro-yo comes in four sizes: Small (P80), Medium (P115), Large (P150) and Family (P220). And then just add P5 for each size for the Green Tea Flavor. Top it with fresh fruits, cereals, nuts, chocolate chips, M&Ms minis, red bean, and muesli. You can also eat it with freshly made waffles or enjoy fro-yo in smoothies and on shaved ice. The first topping goes for P20. Just add P10 for each succeeding topping. Customers can have a maximum of five toppings.

Red Mango stores are chic and designed with diners' comfort in mind.

“We encourage our customers to take time in enjoying their fro-yo in a cool and relaxing environment. The trend now is healthy chic. Red Mango is for people who aspire for life’s premium,” enthuses Sherika. “You got to treat yourself well and try not to put a price tag to it.”

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Red Mango has branches at TriNoma in Quezon City; SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City; and Eastwood Mall in Libis.