Upscale self-serve frozen yogurt chain 16 Handles is finally dipping its spoon into San Antonio, with its first local shop planned for the Stone Oak area late this summer. The debut is part of a broader national growth push that has picked up speed over the past year. Local froyo fans can expect the usual lineup: rotating soft-serve flavors, milkshakes and a hefty toppings bar once the doors open.
As reported by CultureMap San Antonio, the company announced the expansion in a press release, and a company representative confirmed the Alamo City opening while declining to share an exact address. CultureMap notes the shop is expected to land near Stone Oak, with a late-summer launch penciled in as part of the chain's multistate development push.
Deal pipeline and timeline
In a press release on Thursday, 16 Handles said it has signed 25 new franchise deals across seven states and has 32 new stores under development, bringing its footprint to 67 open or in-development units. "The excitement for 16 Handles today is driven by category-leading unit economics, a surge in popularity of our product, and our premium branding," Fred Frey, the chain's vice president of franchise development, said in the release, according to PR Newswire.
What the shop will sell
The concept centers on rotating soft-serve flavors and an extensive toppings bar. The company lists offerings that include traditional soft serve, milkshakes, smoothies and DŌ edible cookie dough. The Houston Chronicle reports that Texas openings typically feature 16 soft-serve flavors and more than 50 toppings and sauces. According to CultureMap San Antonio, industry coverage has noted that the brand's flavor roster has grown considerably since its early days.
Ownership and the bigger push
16 Handles was founded in Manhattan's East Village in 2008 and was acquired in 2022 by longtime franchisee Neil Hershman, with YouTube personality Danny Duncan taking a minority stake, according to an earlier company announcement. The new ownership has prioritized franchising beyond the Tri-State area and has specifically named Texas, including San Antonio and UT Austin, among its growth markets, PR Newswire reported.
What to watch for locally
The company has not yet named local franchisees or provided a street address, so neighbors in Stone Oak should expect job postings, signage and permit filings to offer the first concrete clues that a shop is coming. If the chain follows the rollout pattern used in other new Texas markets, the next few months will likely bring hiring notices and build-out updates ahead of the late-summer opening.
