Investors in Bristow Commons on Devlin Road in Bristow have announced that a combined TCBY and Mrs. Fields, offering quality frozen yogurt, baked desserts, coffee drinks and breakfast sandwiches, will be opening in June or July of this year.
Murad Maqbul Pandit is a Managing Partner at Bristow Commons and owner of the new TCBY/Mrs. Fields franchise at the same location. Pandit said he choose to open a TCBY because the company still has the greatest name recognition in the market and is known for their quality froyo.
Pandit is also excited about launching the franchise himself.
“When you come up with a great idea, you want to keep it for yourself," Pandit said.
He also believes the retail concept will offer customers more choices. This is the first combined TCBY/Mrs. Fields store in Virginia.
“What they’ve done in Chicago, with some of these combination stores, has been very good. I think the company is heading in a very good, growing trajectory,” Pandit said, explaining that the cookie retailer offers less seasonality to the frozen dessert market.
TCBY has also changed its model in recent years. Rather than just offering prepared cones, they now offer an additional 8 self-serve flavors with 16 swirl combinations and a large topping bar. This new model encourages customers to choose to prepare their own fro-yo, have it prepared for them or even make fro-yo shakes. TCBY even offers a new Silk fro-yo product for people who are lactose intolerant.
Another reason Pandit expects the TCBY model to catch on is, as its name implies, Pandit believes TCBY is simply The Country’s Best Yogurt.
“I like people to see the difference in taste. The company has accumulated expertise in what works and what doesn’t work,” he said.
Meanwhile, along with the frozen yogurt customers, they will also attract those who want freshly made cookies, brownies, mini-muffins and even cookie cakes. Mrs. Fields offers a menu of freshly-baked cookies; beyond chocolate chip and macadamia nut, customers can look forward to seasonal favorites such as ginger spice, eggnog and pumpkin harvest.
Pandit’s manager, Quazi Alam notes that Mrs. Fields cookies are very popular in mall locations. He expects to do even better at Bristow Commons as the TCBY combination allows people to make their own frozen yogurt sandwiches or have everyone in the family choose between warm or cold dessert treats.
However, they are also hoping to attract the morning commuter crowd by offering breakfast sandwiches and café quality coffee, lattes and cappuccinos.
The coffee is out of Seattle, Pandit said, and baristas need to be trained to use the high-quality/industrial coffee and cappuccino machines. The result is a streamline experience of great coffee.
“It’s very high quality coffee. We think it will do phenomenally well here,” Pandit said.
Pandit expects to do well in the morning with the large number of commuters in the area, and into the afternoon with people working on their laptops and tablets. Like a coffee shop, they offer free Wi-Fi along with their coffees.
Having the option to stratify the experience is one reason Pandit wanted to bring TCBY/Mrs. Fields to Bristow Commons. The other is that it fits in with the family-friendly atmosphere he and his partners hope to create.
He wants Bristow Commons to become a place where Bristow residents can come to shop, dine and enjoy themselves. The plans involve a scenic esplanade or town “commons,” and the investors are planning to have a mix of dining, retail and places for children to take lessons, such as the previously announced Bach to Rock, as well as office space.
Pandit is also confident that Alma, who previously worked in the hotel industry, can train his staff members to offer the best in quality service, which he believes is often the point of distinction among businesses.
“You’re not selling yogurt; you’re not selling cookies; you’re selling the atmosphere, the product, the brand," said Pandit. "The best industry that does that is actually hospitality, because in a matter of 24 hours, everything has to be perfect."
Although plans have not been completed, TCBY/Mrs. Fields will have indoor and outdoor seating and likely a party/event room. They hope to work with the community and be a spot where neighbors and friends can come together.
Support Bristow Beat - Donate Today!