{{short description|American frozen yogurt store}} {{Infobox company | name = 16 Handles | logo = | image = 16 Handles shop 7th Avenue (Manhattan) May 2023.JPG | type = Privately held company | location = New York City, US | founder = Solomon Choi | foundation = {{start date|2008}} | num_locations = 35 (in 2022) | area_served = | key_people = | industry = Restaurants | parent = | products = Frozen yogurt | homepage = {{URL|https://16handles.com/}} }} '''16 Handles''' is a self-serve frozen yogurt company that allows customers to create their own customized frozen yogurt desserts. It was founded in 2008 by Solomon Choi. The company's name, "16 Handles", refers to the 16 rotating flavors of frozen yogurt available at any given time and is also a play on the name of the movie ''Sixteen Candles''.<ref name="Stern 2023 x351">{{cite web | last=Stern | first=Gary | title=Franchisee Takes Over 16 Handles And Aims To Reinvigorate It | website=Forbes | date=2023-06-26 | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/garystern/2023/06/26/franchisee-takes-over-16-handles-and-aims-to-reinvigorate-it/ | access-date=2023-07-09}}</ref>
== Operations ==
16 Handles uses a self-serve model, which allows customers to control the amount of yogurt they want and select their own toppings. After filling their cups with frozen yogurt, customers can visit the toppings bar, where they can choose from a range of options, including fruits, candies, nuts, sauces, and more. The customer pays by weight.
Over the years, 16 Handles has expanded its presence, opening numerous locations across the United States to 35 units in 2022.<ref name="Lisa Jennings on 2023 l167">{{cite web | author=Lisa Jennings on | title=16 Handles, Red Mango Cafe make brand tweaks | website=Restaurant Business | date=2023-06-16 | url=https://restaurantbusinessonline.com/operations/16-handles-red-mango-cafe-make-brand-tweaks | access-date=2023-07-09}}</ref> The company has also embraced technological advancements, introducing mobile apps and advertising on social media like Snapchat.<ref name="Gallagher 2018 p. 102">{{cite book | last=Gallagher | first=B. | title=How to Turn Down a Billion Dollars: The Snapchat Story | publisher=St. Martin's Publishing Group | year=2018 | isbn=978-1-250-10862-3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TQMtDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA102 | access-date=2023-07-09 | page=102}}</ref> It has units in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Texas, South Carolina and Florida.<ref name="Lisa Jennings on 2023 l167"/>
In 2022, 16 Handles was acquired by Neil Hershman, a New York entrepreneur who became the company's chief executive officer, and Danny Duncan, a YouTube personality who is the chief creative officer.<ref name="Lisa Jennings on 2023 l167"/>
In June 2024, 16 Handles founder Solomon Choi died.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/16-handles-frozen-yogurt-founder-solomon-choi-dead-at-44-8662603|title=Young Entrepreneur Who Founded Popular Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt Chain 16 Handles Dead at 44|first=Angel|last=Saunders|publisher=People|date=June 13, 2024|accessdate=June 13, 2024}}</ref>
==See also== * List of frozen dessert brands
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{official website|https://16handles.com/}}
{{commonscat}} {{Fast-food chains of the United States|state=collapsed}} Category:Brand name frozen desserts Category:Companies based in New York City Category:Frozen yogurt businesses Category:Restaurants established in 2008