16 Handles opened its first self-serve frozen yogurt shop in New York City in 2008. Now, with more than 30 locations in the region, the chain just opened its first location in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood.
The Tribeca unit represents the brand’s smallest full-service shop, with the location and design striving to leverage the popularity of delivery and order-ahead service in addition to the chain’s traditional in-store experience.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, 16 Handles had led the charge in off-premises services, allowing guests to order soft-serve for local delivery. More recently, the chain partnered with Lunchbox to create an omnichannel ordering experience, reducing the company’s reliance on marketplace delivery services.
Going forward, 16 Handles’ key site selection considerations include both strong residential and commuter populations to support consistent demand. In Tribeca, the new shop sits less than half a block from the Chambers Street subway station and at the heart of several vibrant residential neighborhoods. Through 16 Handles’ native ordering website and app, the shop delivers throughout downtown, including in Battery Park, the Financial District and SoHo.