Yo-Chi
Yo-Chi is an Australian family-owned self-serve frozen yogurt and açaí retail chain operating 63+ venues across five states, where customers build custom creations by weight. The company also distributes take-home tubs through Coles, delivers via Uber Eats and DoorDash, and runs the Chi Club mobile loyalty program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersBalaclava, Australia
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Yo-Chi does
Yo-Chi is an Australian family-owned self-serve frozen yogurt and açaí retail chain founded in September 2012 by the Allis and Marro families in Balaclava, Melbourne. The company operates 63+ venues across five Australian states and territories (Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Northern Territory), located in shopping centers, high streets, and tourist destinations. At each venue, customers fill their own cups from self-serve machines dispensing rotating yogurt flavors (including Signature Tart, Vanilla, Salted Butterscotch, Chocolate, Cookies and Cream, Coconut, Mango, Strawberry Cream, Açaí, Matcha, and Cinnamon Banana) plus an extensive toppings range, paying by the weight of their creation.
The core product technology centers on self-serve frozen yogurt dispensers built around probiotic yogurt recipes (98% fat free, live active cultures, calcium source) and a premium 14% açaí solids recipe sourced from B-Corp certified supplier 100% Amazonia. Beyond the venue format, Yo-Chi distributes take-home Greek-style yogurt tubs nationally through Coles supermarkets and offers home delivery via Uber Eats and DoorDash. Merchandise, apparel, and digital/physical gift cards (3-year validity) are sold online. The business is supported by the Chi Club mobile-app loyalty program (1 point per $10 spent, redeemable for free product), the Communi-Chi community sponsorship program (supporting 70+ Surf Life Saving clubs and local junior sports), and recurring limited-edition chef collaborations (with Pierrick Boyer, Darren Purchese, Anna Polyviou, Kirsten Tibballs, and Morgan Hipworth). Sustainability is a stated operational pillar: the company has not sold single-use plastic water bottles since 2022 (forgoing an estimated AUD $10M in annual bottled-water revenue), uses 100% commercially compostable packaging, partnered with Edible Cutlery for compostable chocolate spoons, and collaborates with KeepCup on reusable bowls (with a 10% reusable-bowl discount).
Yo-Chi generates revenue primarily through in-venue pay-by-weight transactions across its national footprint, with secondary streams from Coles grocery retail, third-party delivery, gift card and merchandise e-commerce, and the Walk Don't Run Club 2026 health-incentive promotion that integrates Apple Health, Google Fit, Fitbit, and Garmin Connect. Pricing for venues is weight-based and not publicly disclosed per gram; the loyalty program operates on a points/round-up basis; gift cards are sold as one-time prepaid instruments valid across all Australian venues for 3 years. The company is privately held, with the legal entity Embrace the Chi Pty Ltd (ABN 43 639 336 226), and is operated without external private equity or venture capital involvement. Headcount is reported at 251-500 employees.
Yo-Chi firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Yo-Chi
- Legal name
- Embrace the Chi Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://yochi.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Yo-Chi is an Australian family-owned self-serve frozen yogurt and açaí retail chain operating 63+ venues across five states, where customers build custom creations by weight. The company also distributes take-home tubs through Coles, delivers via Uber Eats and DoorDash, and runs the Chi Club mobile loyalty program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Yo-Chi industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt and Açaí Retail
- NAICS
- Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (311520)
- SIC
- Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Frozen Yogurt Shops (THAFAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Bubble Waffle, Crepe & Specialty Dessert Kiosks (THAFAGAK)
Keywords
Where Yo-Chi is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Balaclava
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices16 records
Markets served
Yo-Chi business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Retail Venue Sales: Yo-Chi operates self-serve frozen yogurt and açaí venues where customers fill cups with their chosen flavors and toppings, paying by the weight of their creation. This is the primary revenue stream.
- Delivery Services: Yo-Chi offers home delivery through Uber Eats and DoorDash platforms, allowing customers to order frozen yogurt and toppings for delivery.
- Grocery Retail (Take-Home Tubs): Yo-Chi products are sold through Coles nationally, with Greek-style frozen yogurts (Original, Salted Caramel, Wild Berry, Mango) available in take-home tubs for home consumption.
- E-commerce Sales: Online sales of merchandise (apparel, accessories) and e-gift cards through the Yo-Chi website.
- Gift Cards: Physical and digital gift cards sold at venues and online, valid for 3 years from purchase, redeemable at any Australian Yo-Chi venue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Self-serve frozen yogurt and açaí - pay by weight |
| Other | Monthly | Chi Club loyalty program |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Yo-Chiever vouchers for community sponsorships |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Gift cards |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Yo-Chi product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Yo-Chi operates a self-serve frozen yogurt and açaí retail business across 63+ venues in Australia, where customers dispense their own yogurt and açaí from machines and customize them with a wide range of toppings, paying by the weight of their creation. Beyond in-store venues, the company distributes take-home frozen yogurt tubs through Coles supermarkets, delivers via Uber Eats and DoorDash, and sells merchandise and gift cards through its e-commerce store.
Product overview
Yo-Chi is an Australian family-owned frozen yogurt and açaí retail business offering self-serve frozen yogurt experiences. The core product is self-serve frozen yogurt in various flavors (Signature Tart, Vanilla, Salted Butterscotch, Chocolate, Cookies and Cream, Coconut, Mango, Strawberry Cream, Açaí, Matcha, Cinnamon Banana, plus seasonal/limited editions) and açaí bowls with extensive topping options. The business operates through 63+ physical venues across Australia, complemented by the Yo-Chi at Home delivery service (via Uber Eats and DoorDash), retail take-home tubs sold in Coles, and an online merchandise store. The product ecosystem includes the Chi Club loyalty program (mobile app-based with points, birthday rewards, and spontaneous offers), gift cards and vouchers, reusable Go Bowl containers (collaboration with KeepCup and Robert Gordon), community programs (Communi-Chi sponsorship and Change for Change donations), and limited-edition chef collaborations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Chi Club: Yo-Chi's loyalty rewards program offering points for purchases, birthday rewards, and exclusive member offers. Members earn 1 Chi Point per $10 spent and can redeem points for free Yo-Chi products.
- Yo-Chi x KeepCup Icy Go Bowl
- Yo-Chi Digital Gift Cards
- Yo-Chi Physical Gift Cards
Products and services
- Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt Flagship self-serve frozen yogurt product where customers dispense their own yogurt and add toppings, paying by weight. Available in flavors including Signature Tart, Classic Vanilla, Salted Butterscotch, Chocolate (vegan), Cookies and Cream, Coconut (vegan), Mango, Strawberry Cream, Açaí, Cinnamon Banana, Matcha, plus seasonal/limited-time flavors. Made from real Australian milk with probiotics, live active cultures, 98% fat free, and a great source of calcium.
- Açaí Bowls Premium açaí-based frozen dessert option with sustainably sourced organic açaí berries containing 14% açaí solids (premium grade). Lower sugar formula. Sourced from B-Corp certified supplier 100% Amazonia in Brazil.
- Toppings Range Extensive range of self-serve toppings including fresh fruits, chocolates, cookies, compotes, sauces, mochi, nut clusters, and specialty items. Includes signature toppings like Auntie Suzie's Sticky Date Pudding, Special-Chi limited editions, and seasonal offerings.
- Chi Club Loyalty Program Mobile app-based loyalty program where members earn 1 Chi Point per A$10 spent, redeem points for free Yo-Chi products at 10 points, receive birthday vouchers up to A$10 in value, and access spontaneous member offers throughout the year.
- Yo-Chi Take-Home Tubs Greek-style frozen yogurts in take-home tubs for scooping at home. Flavors include Original, Salted Caramel, Wild Berry, and Mango. Available nationally through Coles supermarkets.
- Yo-Chi at Home Delivery Home delivery service operated through Uber Eats and DoorDash, allowing customers to order Yo-Chi frozen yogurts and toppings for delivery to recreate the Yo-Chi experience at home.
- E-Gift Cards Digital gift cards available for purchase online and emailed to recipients. Redeemable at all Australian Yo-Chi venues and valid for 3 years from purchase.
- Physical Gift Cards Physical gift cards available for purchase at Yo-Chi venues, redeemable across all Australian venues and valid for 3 years from purchase.
- Yo-Chi x KeepCup Icy Go Bowl Reusable bowl collaboration with KeepCup as part of Yo-Chi's Reuse Revolution sustainability initiative. Customers receive a 10% discount when using approved reusable bowls, including complimentary A$10 vouchers with online purchases.
- Yo-Chi Merchandise Yo-Chi branded merchandise including plush toys (Bear Hugs), apparel, and accessories. Available through the online merch store, with limited-edition Red & Yellow Bear Hugs sold to support Surf Life Saving clubs.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 5.7 million single-use bottles forgone annually due to no bottled water policy
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Yo-Chi
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Yo-Chi technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature1 record
Yo-Chi partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Edible CutlerycoreEdible Cutlery partnered with Yo-Chi to supply edible chocolate spoons, which sold out in less than seven days across all 63 venues. This partnership prevented over 100,000 single-use spoons from landfills, equivalent to approximately 19,000kg of CO2 emissions saved. The initiative went viral with nearly 3 million views across social platforms.
- KeepCupcoreYo-Chi partnered with KeepCup to create the Yo-Chi x KeepCup Icy Go Bowl and Yo-Chi x KeepCup Go Bowl reusable bowl collection. These products support Yo-Chi's sustainability mission and Reuse Revolution, with customers receiving a 10% discount when using approved reusable bowls.
- 100% AmazoniacoreYo-Chi sources premium organic açaí berries from 100% Amazonia, a B-Corp certified supplier in Brazil. The partnership ensures ethical açaí sourcing with 14% açaí solids (premium grade). Yo-Chi co-owner Ollie visited Brazil and the Amazon to verify ethical practices around supply chain, labor, and environmental sustainability.
- Uber EatscoreYo-Chi partners with Uber Eats for home delivery of frozen yogurt and toppings, allowing customers to recreate the Yo-Chi experience at home.
- DoorDashcoreYo-Chi partners with DoorDash for home delivery of frozen yogurt and toppings, enabling nationwide delivery access for customers.
- Surf Life Saving AustraliacoreYo-Chi supports Surf Life Saving clubs across Australia through fundraising, Red & Yellow Day celebrations, and limited edition Bear Hug plushie sales. Yo-Chi is supporting 70 SLS clubs local to their venues. All profits from Bear Hug sales go directly to local Surf Life Saving clubs.
- ColescoreYo-Chi products are sold through Coles nationally, with Greek-style frozen yogurts (Original, Salted Caramel, Wild Berry, Mango) available in take-home tubs for home consumption.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Yo-Chi competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Menchie's Frozen Yogurt: Menchie's operates the world's largest self-serve frozen yogurt franchise with pay-by-weight pricing, comparable loyalty programs, and a similar family/child-friendly positioning to Yo-Chi.
- KiwiYo: KiwiYo is a direct Australian competitor offering self-serve frozen yogurt with toppings, operating venues in Australia. Closest geographic and format peer to Yo-Chi.
- Yogurtland: Yogurtland is the largest US-based self-serve frozen yogurt franchise with similar pay-by-weight model, customizable toppings, and rotating flavors. Highly comparable to Yo-Chi's core self-serve proposition.
- Pinkberry: Pinkberry is a globally recognized premium frozen yogurt chain offering tart flavors with toppings. Comparable to Yo-Chi on premium positioning, though it does not use the self-serve format.
Emerging players
- N2 Extreme Gelato: N2 Extreme Gelato is an Australian-made-to-order liquid nitrogen gelato concept focused on experiential premium frozen desserts. Comparable as a premium experiential dessert destination with venue-based model, though serving gelato.
- Samboy Toppings Bar (Toppingz-style açaí & frozen yogurt): Comparable Australian açaí bowl and dessert specialty venues targeting similar health-conscious and premium-dessert-seeking consumers as Yo-Chi's açaí range.
Regional players
- Yogurberry: Yogurberry is an Asia-Pacific-origin self-serve frozen yogurt brand with an Australian presence. Directly comparable self-serve frozen yogurt concept competing for similar customers in the same region.
- Icberry Yogurt: Icberry is an Australian self-serve frozen yogurt chain directly competing in Yo-Chi's home market with similar self-serve, pay-by-weight model and topping customization.
Broad incumbents
- Cold Rock Ice Creamery: Cold Rock is an iconic Australian franchise chain that mixes ice cream with customer-selected toppings on a chilled slab. Comparable as a customized frozen dessert retail model in Australia, though serving scooped ice cream rather than yogurt.
- Gelatissimo: Gelatissimo is an established Australian dessert chain specializing in gelato. Comparable as a specialty frozen dessert retail chain with Australian venue footprint, though focused on gelato rather than frozen yogurt.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Yo-Chi social profiles
Digital presenceYo-Chi compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Yo-Chi financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Yo-Chi leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Yo-Chi subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Yo-Chi funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Yo-Chi M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Yo-Chi
What does Yo-Chi do?
Yo-Chi operates a self-serve frozen yogurt and açaí retail business across 63+ venues in Australia, where customers dispense their own yogurt and açaí from machines and customize them with a wide range of toppings, paying by the weight of their creation. Beyond in-store venues, the company distributes take-home frozen yogurt tubs through Coles supermarkets, delivers via Uber Eats and DoorDash, and sells merchandise and gift cards through its e-commerce store.
Is Yo-Chi a public or private company?
Yo-Chi is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Yo-Chi founded?
Yo-Chi was founded in 2012. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Yo-Chi based?
Yo-Chi is headquartered in Balaclava, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Yo-Chi make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Retail Venue Sales are the primary driver. The others are delivery Services, grocery Retail (Take-Home Tubs), E-commerce Sales and gift Cards.
Who are Yo-Chi's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, KiwiYo, Yogurtland and Pinkberry. Emerging players are N2 Extreme Gelato and Samboy Toppings Bar (Toppingz-style açaí & frozen yogurt). Regional players are Yogurberry and Icberry Yogurt. Broad incumbents are Cold Rock Ice Creamery and Gelatissimo.
Does Yo-Chi have an API?
No public API is recorded for Yo-Chi.
What industry is Yo-Chi in?
Yo-Chi's product category is Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt and Açaí Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFAGAB, Frozen Yogurt Shops, with a secondary code of THAFAGAK, Bubble Waffle, Crepe & Specialty Dessert Kiosks. Its NAICS code is 311520 and its SIC code is 2024.