Kahala Brands Buys Pinkberry

Kahala Brands went four for four in acquisitions in 2015. Just weeks after closing on its acquisition of Maui Wowi, the Scottsdale, Ariz., firm announced the acquisition of Pinkberry, the Santa Monica, Calif.-based frozen yogurt chain.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the purchase gives Kahala its fourth new concept this year, following its earlier acquisitions of Maui Wowi, Planet Smoothie and Tasti D-Lite. Kahala now claims a total of 18 brands.

The 260-unit Pinkberry, founded in West Hollywood, Calif., a decade ago, is credited with inspiring the most recent frozen yogurt trend.

The acquisition of Pinkberry continues a period of intense activity for Kahala that kicked off in 2013, when the Serruya family, owners of the Canadian frozen yogurt chain Yogen Früz, bought controlling interest in the franchisor. At that time, Kahala already owned a number of brands, including Blimpie and Cold Stone Creamery, but has since expanded to comprise 18 quick-service brands with about 3,000 locations in 34 countries.

Kahala will consolidate Pinkberry’s California-based corporate operations in its Scottsdale headquarters.