A look back at 2011...wonder what 2012 will bring?

WOW! 6 stores open, 2 more to come and that is just the tip of the 2011 iceburg!  Looking back, it seems like a lifetime ago, but at the same time just a moment ago.  How does that happen? It must be because every single, solitary moment of what we call THE LEAF Experience has been a blast and more rewarding than anyone might have imagined.  Getting to know people in 8 different towns in the home that we call Louisiana.  Whether our new friends said, "HEY Ya'll!" or they "Got Down" from the car to grab some Freaux Yeaux, our great state of Louisiana produced patrons that were glad that Orange Leaf had come to their town, regardless if they hailed from the North or the South.

Monroe Ribbon Cutting January 2011

We go back to the beginning, (which really began in December of 2010, & our flagship store in Monroe.  Producing at the TOP of the entire Orange Leaf franchise (75 stores at the time), Monroe was the store to model.  Lines out the door, with yogurt sometimes melting before customers could reach the register, Monroe let everyone know how much they loved The Leaf.  

New Iberia Ribbon Cutting May 2011

Following 4 months behind was New Iberia.  Our opening day in New Iberia topped the fleets numbers for opening day outperforming all other opening days including New York City, Little Rock , Arkansas, and Lexington, KY. Cajuns love their Freaux Yeaux, too! 

Sulphur followed VERY closely behind New Iberia with it's ribbon cutting in June of 2011.  Sulphur was so happy that Orange Leaf had FINALLY opened and they flooded in as soon as we opened our doors! The Leaf continues to be a destination that Sulphur families choose because it has something for everyone in your family.

Sulphur Ribbon Cutting June 2011

Natchitoches Ribbon Cutting December 2011

Next, was Natchitoches and we never expected the open arms we received by this business community.  Opening day was a hit with everyone bringing in HUNDREDS of Buy One Get One coupons that the local businesses in Natchitoches sent to their own mailing lists in support of Orange Leaf! With Northwestern, Natchitoches Central,  Lakeview High, and St. Mary's students hitting the doors when their own schools let out, it was an opening day to remember.

Mandeville Ribbon Cutting December 2011

Mandeville.  This was the tricky town. Our first time to encounter major competition, and combine that with media outlets in Mandeville, New Orleans and Slidell just to name a few. We finally got our feet on the ground and people in the door at our Grand Opening Celebration with the Saintsations.  Free yogurt helped as well.  We have been building ever since.  As you well know, once they walk into Orange Leaf get THE LEAF experience, and taste our out-of-this-world Freaux Yeaux, there will be only one love, and the color is ORANGE!

West Monroe OPENS November 2011

West Monroe opened to much fanfare in November of 2011.  Balloons, Chalk O and All!  Customers were knocking on the doors to let them in, and so that is just what we did, 45 minutes early and it hasn't stopped since.  It was certainly a WARM welcome to a community that has already had our flagship store in Monroe close by to taste what they were going to have soon in their own city of West Monroe.  The GRAND OPENING and Ribbon Cutting will be held in February right before Mardi Gras and will feature lots of giveaways, included a Kodak Playsport Camera! 

Houma 12-29-11

What's next is Houma, opening January 5th (4 more days, YIKES) with free yogurt from 1PM-5PM, Ribbon Cutting is scheduled for January 20th, and Grand Opening Celebration on the 21st which will again feature Free Yogurt from 1PM - 5PM.  We can't wait until these doors open to show HOUMA what Orange Leaf is all about! 

Lake Charles Store

Lake Charles will open in late January and Might just be the cherry on top of the Freaux Yeaux Sundae. With Sulphur just 5 miles away, Lake Charles already know what The Leaf Experience is like and they are demanding to know when the doors will open!  Planning on a late January open, this store is poised to break some more Nationwide Orange Leaf records!

So, what will happen in 2012 you might ask?  We can't tell the future, but you better believe that Freaux Yeaux is here to stay and will be in all corners of Louisiana before year end! Where will we be next?  Maybe Ruston, Hammond, even Winnsboro, you never know where the LEAF will show up next!  Happy 2012 and hope to see you soon!