Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> October 25, 1999
Michael Serruya is Chairman, President and CEO of Yogen Fruz World-Wide
Incorporated, the world's largest franchisor of frozen yogurt and ice
cream outlets. Michael Serruya, along with his brother, started with
just one store at the Promenade Mall in Toronto in 1986 and today have
approximately 4,900 outlets in over 80 countries, operating a family of
brands, including 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. Listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, Yogen Fruz was
recently named number-one on the Franchise 500 listing, put out annually
by 'Entrepreneur Magazine'. Along with his brother, Michael Serruya was
the recipient of Entrepreneur of the Year (Canada) 1997; Entrepreneur of
the Year (Ontario) 1997; Ontario Chamber of Commerce Award of Excellence
1997; #1 percentage growth company in Food Service 1994 by 'Food Service
and Hospitality Magazine'; The Man of the Year 1995 by 'Food Service and
Hospitality Magazine'; voted "Operators of the Year 1995 and 1996" by
'Food Service and Hospitality Magazine'; 1996 winner of the 40 Under 40
Canadian Entrepreneur award given by the 'Financial Post'. Last year
Yogen Fruz was placed on the TSE 300 and 200 Composite Index. As well,
the company was named to the Profit 100 listing of the fastest growing
companies in Canada. Michael Serruya has sat on the Board of Directors
of the Canadian Franchise Association and is a member of the Board of
Moneysworth & Best. Michael last year joined the Board of Ontario Jobs
and Investment, where he sat with five other members from the private
sector. The other members of the Board included Premier Mike Harris,
Finance Minister Ernie Eves and the Minister of Education and Training
Dave Johnson. Profile
just to set the stage for our readers.
Mr. Serruya: The company was originally founded by my brother, Aaron and
myself 13
