Rapidly-expanding frozen yogurt retailer announces franchise agreement for first location in Missouri 

DALLAS – (Dec. 17, 2009) – Entertainer and entrepreneur Elliott Threatt is bringing one of the most popular and fastest-growing retailers of all-natural nonfat frozen yogurt to Kansas City. 

Threatt, an Emmy-award winning and Grammy-nominated comedian and performer who has enjoyed more than 20 years in the entertainment industry, will open the state’s first Red Mango in his native Kansas City. 

“I’m always keeping an eye out for new business options,” said Threatt, who plans to open his store this spring. “I wanted to be involved with a food segment that offered health benefits, and discovered Red Mango. I appreciated the company’s innovation and especially its use of probiotics. Red Mango has a vision. They aren’t just a ‘me-too’ company.”  

Threatt, named Businessman of the Year by the Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, named a "25 under 25" award honoree by Kansas City Small Business Monthly and recognized for outstanding community involvement by the Kansas City Business Journal, plans to open additional Red Mango locations in the future, and is also a 17-year GNC Nutrition franchisee. 

“Red Mango has a long-term plan, and when you’re in a specific category like frozen yogurt, you need a strong business model,” said Threatt. “I looked at competitors in the Kansas City market, and Red Mango was the up-and-coming concept and the best choice.” 

In addition to his business ventures, Threatt is a longtime member and supporter of the Kansas City community. He has been honored with the New House Women’s Shelter Humanitarian Award, and been a Buck O’Neil Legacy honoree by the Kansas City Royals. 

Red Mango was recently honored with Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2009 “Hot Concepts!” award, making it one of the most desired food chains aggressively expanding nationwide. Red Mango opened its first store in Los Angeles in July 2007 and has grown to almost 60 locations across 14 states.  

The company is currently awarding franchise opportunities in select markets across the country. More information is available at www.redmangofranchising.com. 

About Red Mango: Red Mango, the fastest-growing retailer of all-natural nonfat frozen yogurt, opened its first U.S. store in July 2007 in Los Angeles and has since celebrated almost 60 store openings across Arizona, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Utah, and Washington. Red Mango received Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2009 “Hot Concepts!” award and has been named the best frozen yogurt in Seattle, Las Vegas, Chicago, Utah and New York by independent publications. Headquartered in Dallas, Red Mango serves uniquely delicious frozen yogurt that is all-natural, nonfat, gluten-free and packed with beneficial live and active probiotic cultures that support a healthy immune and digestive system. Red Mango’s frozen yogurt has been certified by the National Yogurt Association’s Live and Active Culture Seal for meeting the required criteria for healthy frozen yogurt. Additionally, Red Mango recently introduced the first iced teas fortified with probiotics.

Red Mango’s investors include CIC Advantage Holdings, LLC, a holding company formed by CIC Partners and leading retail restaurant operators to invest in and add value to multi unit retail companies. For more information about Red Mango, please visit www.redmangousa.com. For franchising information, please visit www.redmangofranchising.com or call 214-871-6865.