If you’ve strolled by a Sweet Frog lately—whether to fill a cup with tart yogurt or grab a box of froyo-to-go—you might have seen some “Closed” signs on certain stores. That’s led to a lot of chatter about whether Sweet Frog is going out of business for good, or just shrinking its footprint a bit. So what’s actually going on? Is your favorite frozen yogurt place about to disappear, or are the rumors just that: rumors?
Let’s break it down with real examples, a bit of Sweet Frog history, and what’s happening behind the scenes in 2025.
Sweet Frog: A Snapshot of Their Spot in Frozen Yogurt
Sweet Frog has been a big name in frozen yogurt since 2009, when it first opened in Richmond, Virginia. The brand took off pretty quickly, thanks to cheerful mascots, candy-colored shops, and the “create your own” yogurt bar concept. At its height, Sweet Frog had hundreds of stores scattered across the U.S., often popping up in suburban shopping centers, strip malls, and college towns.
Frozen yogurt, in general, lived through a huge boom in the 2010s, with people lining up to customize crazy sundaes. But like any food trend, not every location became a gold mine—and competition stiffened as other shops opened up.
Location Closures: The Ashbrook Commons Story
So, why are people saying Sweet Frog is closing? Part of it comes down to local news. Take the Ashbrook Commons Sweet Frog, for example—a location in Ashburn, Virginia. This shop closed suddenly in early 2025. The reason? Store operators said they just couldn’t keep up with a sharp rent increase.
They posted a note to customers, explaining that the rising lease costs at the site made it impossible to run the business profitably. Staff and regulars were disappointed; some thought Ashbrook’s Sweet Frog was an irreplaceable weekend stop.
The local landlord told a different version. They said they’d been flexible, suggesting there were other factors at play, like foot traffic or sales. This kind of back-and-forth is common when retail locations shut their doors, especially in busy shopping centers.
Are Local Closures a Sign of Company Trouble?
It’s easy to see why store closings make people nervous. For regulars, a shuttered shop looks like the tip of an iceberg. But in Sweet Frog’s case, the closures are about individual locations—not the whole chain going under.
Many Sweet Frog locations are run by franchisees, not the company itself. This means each store can have its own lease, landlord, and business challenges. If the rent rises too high or sales drop, a franchisee may close—even if the overall brand is still healthy.
The Ashbrook location is just one example. If you poke around social media or local news, you’ll spot a few other closures in the past year. Nearly every time, it’s tied to local economics: rent, contracts, or a change in customer turnout.
How Big Is Sweet Frog Right Now? Franchising in 2025
Despite these individual moves, Sweet Frog remains a major frozen yogurt player. As of 2025, Sweet Frog has over 350 franchised locations and about 59 company-owned stores spread out across the United States.
The company isn’t just sitting still, either. They’re actively recruiting new franchisees who want to open their own Sweet Frog shop. Information on their website and franchise materials shows that they’re still selling franchise agreements, helping with stuff like site selection, negotiating leases, and training new owners.
If anything, the company is focused on making it easier to become a franchisee. They offer support for things like design, marketing, and even finding real estate. This helps keep existing shops open—and can spark new openings when local entrepreneurs spot a good location.
What Franchise Owners and the Company Are Saying
Company executives and franchise owners have given several interviews over the last year, looking to clear the air. Across these conversations, one thing stands out: there’s no plan to wind Sweet Frog down. Instead, there’s a focus on adapting.
A franchise owner in North Carolina mentioned that challenges are real, but also said the support from Sweet Frog headquarters has gotten better. They pointed to tools for local marketing, community events, and help navigating rising costs in the food industry.
Sweet Frog corporate representatives echoed this message. Press releases in 2024 and 2025 talk about rolling out new flavors and experimenting with menu items like fruit smoothies or non-dairy treats. The company says community partnerships—like sponsoring youth sports events or hosting school fundraisers—are still a core part of their identity.
So, while some stores may switch off their lights for good, many others keep pouring yogurt and adding toppings. The overall message from both franchisees and the company is that Sweet Frog is sticking around—and trying to grow where there’s demand.
A Look Back: The Chain’s Ups and Downs
To put things in context, let’s rewind a bit. Sweet Frog’s rise mirrored that of other big froyo brands, all riding the wave as frozen yogurt became a staple for after-school snacks and summer treats.
As trends shifted, though, not every location thrived. Some spots that buzzed in 2015 ran into trouble later as rents crept up, competitors entered, or customers moved on to other dessert crazes (remember rolled ice cream?).
Even then, Sweet Frog’s brand stuck. Families still recognize their bright green cups. The chain adapted by trimming unprofitable stores and testing out smaller, more efficient shop models.
Fast forward to 2025, and the brand still has a loyal following—and a footprint that covers a lot of states. Not all stores make it, but enough do for Sweet Frog to stay in the game.
The Ongoing Business: Operations Across Regions
If you google Sweet Frog locations today, you’ll still find dozens open in major metro areas, college towns, and suburban strip malls alike. Some are quieter than a few years ago, sure. But many are owned by franchisees who know their markets well.
That local touch has always been key—one store might host a Friday movie night, another teams up with a local high school, and someone else may launch a new delivery service for neighborhoods. Regional managers and franchisees often say this flexibility is what keeps them running, even as the frozen yogurt industry changes.
And for people interested in getting into the food business themselves, Sweet Frog still pops up on lists of active franchising opportunities—offering both relatively low start-up fees and continued company support.
Why Do People Think Sweet Frog Is “Going Out”?
Rumors can spread fast, especially when a beloved store closes overnight. One viral social post can get dozens of comments and spark talk of a national shutdown.
But if you look deeper, you’ll see a more balanced story. The closing of a location often makes headline news locally, but rarely signals a big meltdown for the brand as a whole.
Industry analysts say it’s common for restaurants—especially franchises—to open and close depending on rent, sales, or changing neighborhoods. In tight real estate markets, some closures are just part of doing business, not an end to the brand.
What’s Next for Sweet Frog?
From everything we’ve seen, Sweet Frog’s approach is all about adjusting store by store. If a lease becomes too expensive, or if local tastes shift, a location might close. But elsewhere, new franchisees are getting shops off the ground—with company guidance for marketing, operations, and community links.
If you’re an aspiring frozen yogurt operator, Sweet Frog still lists franchise info and training on their business site. They’re not the only chain doing this, but their continued push for new locations helps show the brand is sticking around.
For small business owners and those interested in running their own shops, resources like Sera Business often highlight Sweet Frog as a current, active player in the franchise world.
The Bottom Line: Sweet Frog Still Scooping, Even as Some Stores Close
So, is Sweet Frog going out of business? Not on a national level. Some stores have closed due to local factors like higher rent, sales declines, or changes in shopping patterns. But the overall company is still operating, still franchising, and still serving up mix-your-own yogurt in many states.
The frozen yogurt market isn’t as hot as a decade ago, and no chain, including Sweet Frog, is immune from it. But if you’re craving a sweet treat, chances are you’ll still find a Sweet Frog in your area—or somewhere nearby soon.
And if you see a “Closed” sign, don’t panic about the whole company just yet. For now, it looks like Sweet Frog is here to stay, taking things one store, one scoop, and one franchise at a time.