16 Handles

What 16 Handles does

16 Handles is a privately held, East Coast-anchored frozen yogurt and soft-serve franchise brand founded in 2008 by Solomon Choi as New York City's first self-serve frozen dessert shop. The company operates a self-serve model built around 16 rotating flavors, an evolving menu of limited-edition launches, and over 50 toppings, with proprietary soft-serve equipment supporting both dairy and plant-based bases (including an exclusive Oatly oat milk line certified vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher). The brand extends into adjacent product categories via all-natural ice cream, sorbets, smoothies, custom celebration cakes, party and catering services, gift cards, and a mobile-app-based loyalty rewards program.

The business is structured as 16 Handles Franchising LLC (registered in Delaware, headquartered at 450 Park Avenue South, New York) and runs a franchise-led go-to-market, complemented by a small portfolio of company-owned Manhattan stores and direct-to-consumer mobile ordering, pickup, and local delivery. Revenue streams include company-operated store sales, initial franchise fees and ongoing royalties (total franchise investment ranges from $228,250 to $671,000), catering and delivery, and gift card sales. The price-per-ounce, weight-based self-serve model is the unit-economics backbone, with average unit volumes trending toward $850,000 and newer stores on track to exceed $1 million in their first year.

Ownership and operating geography shifted materially in August 2022 when Neil Hershman, the brand's largest franchisee and a former structured-credit finance professional, acquired a majority stake alongside YouTube creator Danny Duncan (who became Co-Owner and Chief Creative Officer). Since then, the footprint has grown from approximately 6 locations to roughly 40 operating stores plus 67 in development across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Arizona, and (announced April 2026) California. Reported annual revenue is approximately $21-22 million (2024 disclosures). Operations are supported by proprietary first-to-market product development, including the January 2026 nationwide launch of the world's first kefir probiotic soft serve, and by a multi-channel marketing stack spanning organic social, influencer collaboration, PR tie-ins with Peacock and HBO Max programming, and a rewards-driven mobile app.

Name

16 Handles

Legal name

16 Handles Franchising LLC

Website

https://16handles.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

16 Handles is a privately held, franchise-led frozen yogurt and soft-serve brand founded in 2008 in New York City, operating approximately 40 retail locations with 67 in development across nine U.S. states, serving health-conscious Gen Z and Millennial consumers through a self-serve, 16-flavor model with rotating limited-edition, plant-based, and kefir probiotic offerings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Frozen Yogurt Chain

NAICS

Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (311520), Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (31152), Caterers (722320)

SIC

Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024)

akta.pro primary industry

Frozen Yogurt Shops (THAFAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Soft-Serve & Custard Stands (THAFAGAC), Vegan/Allergen-Free Dessert Shops (THAFAGAL)

Keywords

• Self-serve frozen yogurt
• Frozen dessert franchise
• Soft serve retail
• Frozen yogurt chain
• Dessert shop franchise

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Company-Owned Store Sales: Revenue generated from company-owned 16 Handles retail locations selling frozen yogurt, soft serve, ice cream, smoothies, and toppings directly to consumers at per-item pricing based on weight.
2. Franchise Fees and Royalties: Franchise operators pay initial franchise fees and ongoing royalties based on sales volume. Franchise investment ranges from $228,250 to $671,000 total investment.
3. Delivery and Catering Services: Additional revenue streams from delivery orders placed through company app/website and catering services for events and parties.
4. Gift Card Sales: Sale of physical and electronic gift cards through company website and retail locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

16 Handles operates a self-serve frozen yogurt and soft serve retail concept where customers customize their own servings from 16 rotating flavors and 50+ toppings at per-ounce weight-based pricing. The brand sells frozen yogurt, all-natural ice cream, oat milk vegan soft serve (via Oatly partnership), sorbets, smoothies, custom celebration cakes, gift cards, and offers catering and party services, all delivered through company-owned and franchise-operated retail locations plus a mobile ordering app.

Product overview

16 Handles is an upscale frozen yogurt and dessert franchise brand founded in 2008 as NYC's first self-serve frozen dessert shop. The company operates a franchise model offering a portfolio of frozen dessert products including frozen yogurt, all-natural ice cream, plant-based soft serve (via Oatly partnership), and fruit sorbets. The core self-serve format allows customers to customize their servings from 16 rotating flavors with over 50 toppings. Additional products include custom celebration cakes, smoothies, gift cards, and a loyalty rewards program. The brand has expanded from its New York origins to multiple states through franchise development, with new locations targeting approximately $1 million in first-year revenue.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 16 Handles: Primary brand for frozen yogurt, soft serve, ice cream, and vegan dessert options
• 16 Handles x Oatly

Products and services

• Frozen Yogurt Self-serve frozen yogurt available in multiple flavors including Original Tart, Classic Tart, and seasonal varieties, customizable with over 50 toppings. Sold to individual consumers at retail locations and through pickup/delivery channels.
• Ice Cream All-natural ice cream flavors including Birthday Cake, Cookies & Cream, Strawberry, Cheesecake, and Cookie Dough, sold to consumers at retail locations.
• Oatly Vegan Soft Serve Plant-based soft serve made with Oatly oat milk, certified vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher. Available in Chocolate, Vanilla, Iced Latte, Cinnamon Bun, and seasonal flavors. Sold to consumers seeking dairy-free dessert options.
• Sorbets Fruit-based frozen desserts including Fresh Mango, Pomegranate Raspberry, and Strawberry Lemonade sorbets, plus seasonal varieties, sold to consumers seeking dairy-free options.
• Smoothies Fresh fruit smoothies made to order, sold to consumers as part of the in-store menu.
• Custom Cakes Custom celebration cakes available in 6-inch and 8-inch sizes with customizable colors and messages in flavors including Cookies & Cream, Tahitian Vanilla Bean, Happy Birthday, and Chocolate Love Affair. Sold to consumers for celebrations.
• Gift Cards Physical and electronic gift cards available in denominations of $10, $16, $20, and $50 for in-store redemption or online purchase. Sold to consumers and gift-givers.
• 16 Handles Rewards Program Loyalty program allowing members to earn 1 point per $1 spent, redeem points for rewards, receive a $5 birthday reward, and access exclusive deals and holiday specials. Available to all consumers via app signup.
• Catering Services Catering services for corporate events, parties, and group gatherings with customizable frozen dessert options. Sold to corporate and event customers.
• Party Services Party hosting services for celebrations at 16 Handles retail locations, sold to consumers and event organizers.
• Kefir Probiotic Soft Serve World's first kefir probiotic soft serve featuring probiotic health benefits in a frozen dessert format, available nationwide as of January 2026. Sold to health-conscious consumers.
• 16 Handles Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android that enables online ordering for pickup or delivery, in-store scanning for rewards points, and access to exclusive offers. Available to consumers as a free download.
• 16 Handles Franchise Franchise opportunity sold to entrepreneurs and SMB operators to open and operate 16 Handles frozen yogurt retail locations. Total investment ranges from $228,250 to $671,000 depending on location, store size, and market conditions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Double-digit sales growth one year after Danny Duncan investment
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Cliff Omoruyi (Rutgers Basketball)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2022NCAA 'Dunk King' and Rutgers men's basketball star center Cliff Omoruyi partnered with 16 Handles as brand ambassador.
• Junior's RestaurantminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2022Partnership to launch World's Most Fabulous Cheesecake Ice Cream flavor combining New York's iconic cheesecake with 16 Handles frozen dessert.
• Peacock (NBCUniversal)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2022Partnership with Peacock's Girls5eva to launch Girls5 Fro-Glow candy bark topping at brand's 30 shops across NY, NJ, CT, and FL.
• HBO MaxminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2021Partnership with HBO Max's The Sex Lives of College Girls for promotional tie-in and brand visibility.
• OatlycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 202116 Handles partners with Oatly for exclusive oat milk soft serve flavors. Starting in 2021, the collaboration created multiple vegan soft serve options including Iced Latte, Cinnamon Bun, Chocolate, Vanilla, Banana, Chocolate Cake, and seasonal flavors. Oatly soft serve is certified vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher. Each shop carries at least two Oatly flavors at all times.
• Broadway (Dear Evan Hansen)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Teamed up with hit Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen to create Blue Raspberry Sorbet in celebration of the show's final summer on Broadway.
• Trees for the FutureminorOthersEnvironmental partnership through which 16 Handles plants 16 trees every day to offset environmental impact. Has planted over 150,000 trees total as of 2026.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pinkberry: Direct competitor in self-serve frozen yogurt with a similar premium positioning, rotating flavor menu, and franchise retail footprint in major U.S. metros. Pinkberry and 16 Handles compete head-to-head for the same health-conscious consumer and franchisee pool.
• Yogurtland: One of the largest self-serve frozen yogurt chains in the U.S. with a franchise model, pay-by-weight format, and rotating flavor wall — virtually identical customer experience to 16 Handles. Comparable unit economics, expansion strategy, and target demographic.
• Menchie's Frozen Yogurt: Self-serve frozen yogurt franchise chain operating on a similar rotating-flavor, pay-by-weight model with comparable unit sizes and franchise investment requirements. Direct competitor for franchisees and end consumers in shared geographies.
• Red Mango: Pioneer of non-fat frozen yogurt in the U.S. with a franchise model and self-serve format. Operates in similar shopping-center and urban retail locations with overlapping health-conscious positioning.
• TCBY (The Country's Best Yogurt): Long-established frozen yogurt chain with franchise locations and a broad product range including soft serve, smoothies, and toppings. Directly comparable in franchise structure, menu format, and customer demographic.

Broad incumbents

• Cold Stone Creamery: National ice cream franchise chain with comparable unit economics and franchise model, competing for the same dessert-occasion consumer. Broader product portfolio (ice cream vs. primarily yogurt) but overlapping trade areas and customer segments.
• Smoothie King: Established franchise concept in the better-for-you beverage and snack category. Targets a similar health-conscious consumer with adjacent product offerings (smoothies, protein options) and a comparable franchise retail footprint.
• Häagen-Dazs Shops: Premium ice cream brand with company-operated and franchised retail shops globally. A larger, established player in premium frozen desserts with overlapping customer demographics and trade areas, though broader product focus than 16 Handles.

Emerging players

• Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams: Premium, small-batch ice cream brand with growing retail footprint and cult following among similar millennial/Gen Z consumers. Competes for premium dessert occasions and occasions-based spending that 16 Handles targets.
• Salt & Straw: Artisanal ice cream brand emphasizing creative, seasonal flavors and premium positioning. Appeals to overlapping consumer demographics and shares 16 Handles' strategy of rotating innovative flavors to drive trial and social media buzz.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/16Handles
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/16handles
• Facebookfacebook.com/16Handles
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/16-handles
• Instagraminstagram.com/16handles

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 16 Handles