Yogen Fruz Changes Name to CoolBrands International

Yogen Fruz World-Wide Inc. announced Tuesday it will change its name to CoolBrands International Inc. A shareholders vote on the name change is expected at the company's Feb. 29 annual meeting.

The Markham, Ontario, company is one of the world's largest franchisers of frozen yogurt and ice cream outlets and is also a manufacturer, marketer and distributor in the supermarket and convenience store sectors.

The name change, says Yogen Fruz, better reflects "the breadth of its operations," which include several brands not reflected in the current name.

These brands include Yogen Fruz, Bresler's, I Can't Believe It's Yogurt, Golden Swirl, Swensen's Ice Cream, Honey Hill Farms, Paradise and Java Coast Fine Coffees. Also, the acquisition of New York-based Integrated Brands two years ago brought R&D, manufacturing, marketing and distribution agreements with Tropicana in North America and other markets. Yogen Fruz has similar deals with General Mills' entire brand portfolio, which includes Yoplait, Colombo Frozen Yogurt, Betty Crocker, Trix and Yoo-hoo.

The news comes on the heels of a Jan. 28 financial statement in which the company reported sluggish sales both for consumer products and for its retail shops.

Edited by Bob Speber