A guilt-free treat with a healthful twist is the inspiration behind Yumz Gourmet Frozen Yogurt, which launched in several suburban locations this fall. Patrons create their own dessert from a changing lineup of frozen yogurt flavors packed with live culture probiotics.
It's a family enterprise for Kevin Visel of St. Charles, who oversees all the ventures in Warrenville, Bolingbrook, South Elgin, Plainfield and soon in Addison. His father, Daniel Visel, is the main franchise investor, and his sister, Lauren Visel, serves as site developer and manager of the South Elgin and Addison businesses.
"The self-serve yogurt concept is definitely a hot trend right now," Kevin Visel says. "Yumz has a great product (and) a very fun and engaging store atmosphere."
The treats, priced at 42 cents an ounce, begin with a choice of 14 rotating yogurt flavors complemented by a selection of about 70 toppings such as fruits, nuts, sauces and dry tidbits. New yogurt flavors are continually added.
"People can create a new masterpiece every time they come in," he says.
The frozen treats are available in four forms: tart — for the purist; regular— which tastes like ice cream; no-sugar-added yogurt for the extra health conscious and sorbet for those who can't enjoy dairy products. All are fat-free, and range between 85 and 100 calories per serving.
The sorbet is a new touch, thanks to a request from Kevin Visel, whose daughter has dairy allergies. Sorbet flavors change daily.
The Yumz venture is a career change for Visel, who used to own a photography business.
"I enjoyed wedding photography, but the reason I decided to switch careers is we found out our third child (was on the way,)" he says. "I knew how stressed summers were with two children. I wanted to be a dad to my children and a husband to my wife, Kelsey, and to have a little time in my life in the summers. Wedding photography didn't allow that."
He's pleased to carry over his favorite element — business management — to the new career.
One fan of Yumz is St. Charles resident Caitlin Miller, who says her current favorite is combining cool mint and chocolate-flavored yogurts.
"It tastes like a Girl Scout Thin Mint," she says. "(Yumz) is delicious; I go all the time … It's a fun place to be, and has a young atmosphere."
Through the end of the month, Yumz will donate 10 percent of its sales of cake batter yogurt to DuCap (www.ducap.org,) which helps engage youth to make positive choices.
"What they do aligns so closely with my passion," Kevin Visel says. "They provide programs (about) character building, integrity and taking on responsibility."
Yumz Gourmet Frozen Yogurt
• 28341 Diehl Road, Cantera Commons, Warrenville, 630-393-2727
• 406 Randall Road, South Elgin, 224-238-3160
• 1235 W. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, 630-378-2080
• Coming to 1600 W. Lake St., Addison, www.yumzfrozenyogurt.com
WHAT TO TRY
ITEM Cake batter and eggnog yogurt flavors topped with cookie dough, raspberries
PRICE 42 cents per ounce
ITEM Cool mint and chocolate swirl with Oreo topping
PRICE 42 cents per ounce
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