Frozen yogurt chain Yo-Chi is set to open its first Tasmanian store in Hobart, nearly two years after a local petition called on the brand to expand to the island.
The family-owned chain, which has more than 30 stores across Australia, confirmed it is heading to Hobart and has begun recruiting a venue general manager to lead the launch.
Hobart had been the only Australian state capital without a Yo-Chi outlet.
The expansion comes after Hobart resident Victoria Monson started an online petition in 2024 highlighting what she called the “void” and “undeniable absence” of Yo-Chi in Tasmania, with the petition gaining more than 5,000 signatures.
“Statistics show a growing trend of health-conscious Australians opting for healthier dessert options such as frozen yogurts,” Monson said at the time.
She said she believed Yo-Chi could “cultivate a robust following in Hobart, as it has done in so many other cities across Australia”.
In October 2024, Yo-Chi chief operating officer Brooke Rodger told Pulse the company “loves Hobart” and its “amazing energy”.
The chain has now committed to the move, posting a job listing to recruit a venue general manager.
“You asked, we listened… Yo-Chi is heading to Hobart,” the job ad reads.
“For the very first time ever, we’re bringing Australia’s favourite frozen yogurt experience to Tasmania, and we’re looking for an exceptional Venue General Manager to lead the launch.”
The successful candidate will complete around four weeks of paid training in Melbourne before the Hobart store opens.
Travel and accommodation support will be provided during that period.
It has not yet been revealed where the new Hobart store would be located or when it will open, however a number of vacant shopfronts around the Hobart CBD are currently for lease.
Yo-Chi, known for its frozen yoghurt and acai bowls with various toppings, has become a viral sensation on social media and describes itself as one of Australia’s fastest-growing hospitality groups.
In February, popular Kingston Beach pup Salty Dog opened its new expansion venue Frosty Dog – boosting the trend of frozen yoghurt in Tasmania.
Frosty Dog served over 10,000 cups in its first week of operation.
At the time, director and part-owner James Polanowski told Pulse the response from the community had been “absolutely incredible”.
The concept came from Polonowski’s business partner, who moved to Tasmania from Melbourne and missed having access to frozen yoghurt outlets like Yo-Chi.
“He brought the idea to me, and I thought, yeah, what a great idea,” Polonowski said.
“I wasn’t completely sold to start with, but yeah, look at it, and it’s been going off ever since.”
