What a healthy indulgence!

Cocoberry that offers delicious yogurt is incidentally also the first premium yogurt chain in India.

Here, GS Bhalla, takes Seema Seth on a yummillicious discovery of his brand and offers as he talks about the thriving business.

Seema Seth(SS): Why did you choose to be in this business? Why frozen yogurt of all?

GS Bhalla(GSB): Yogurt with its pro biotic qualities is one of the fastest growing categories in the food and beverage fragment. Since, frozen yogurt is a new age product that appeals the youngsters, and is the most preferred format in yogurt, the choice was logical. Yogurt stands out in competition with deserts like ice cream, mithai, chocolates etc since it is guilt free indulgence. Moreover, it is a boon to diabetics and its pro biotic qualities keep it ahead of all health food. According to a book, Tata Startegic  Management, “ India’s health and wellness market will be 55,000 cr by 2015, growing at a  rate of 35 per year year”. So, yogurt is here to stay, and it is just a matter of time, people will realise that there is more to it than just taste that makes it so popular than other deserts.

SS: Tell me, why did you choose this name? What are your product offerings?

GSB: Well, if you break the name into two parts, the first part Coco comes from Cocoa beans and Berry from the assortments of fruits that we serve along with freshly made non-fat frozen yogurt. We are currently serving six flavours of Froyo in three portions sizes, S, M, L and all of which are customizable with fresh fruits toppings of Blueberries, Strawberries, Kiwi, Mango, Pomegranate, Musk Melon and dry Grapes and also dry toppings such as Cookies, Snickers, Granola, Sliced Almonds and Walnuts. The customer category can customize their yogurt that we serve.

SS: Do you think, yogurt is going to replace curd in Indian households?

GSB: No, that is never going to be, but yes it could be included in the daily lifestyle as it is also a complete food option. Children are preferring yogurts for the sheer pleasure of its taste and parents are happy that they are able to inculcate healthy habits in them.

SS: How many outlets do you have and what is your team size?

GSB: We have over 150 outlets in India and my team size is over 200 people.

SS: What is your turn over and expansion plan?

GSB: We had a turnover of 5 crore and hope to grow to 400 outlets in three years and expand the brand internationally.  The aim is to create a truly global consumer facing brand out of India, which has never been done before.

SS: What do you do to keep yourself a step ahead of your competitors?

GSB: Along with being a lifestyle brand, Cocoberry associates itself with health, wellness, social and environmental responsibility. This hip and cool brand has created a cult of its own. The brand has an up market appeal and our price range starts from Rs. 59. We advertise in Cosmpolitan, Femina, TOI and HT which shows its strong association with fashion.

SS: Define Cocoberry in one word.

GSB: Delicious.

SS: What are your awards and recognitions?

GSB: We received award for Most Innovative Concept, Best Ice Cream and Most Refreshing Summer Cooler in shakes and nominated and rated in the Best 100 Restaurants in Delhi.

SS: What is your new range?

GSB: We have introduced Parfait that is breakfast in a glass consisting of granules, yogurt and fresh fruits. Then, we have smoothies in 8 flavours: kiwi, guava, strawberry, blue berry, mango, berry blast and plain.

We have also introduced iced green tea in apple and strawberry flavours.