Founder Michael Sparrow Went From Survivor Contestant To Frozen Yoghurt Chain Boss
Michael Sparrow, a former Survivor NZ contestant, has successfully launched a frozen yoghurt chain called Yomi in New Zealand. The brand is expanding rapidly across Auckland, focusing on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.
Why it matters
The resurgence of frozen yoghurt chains demonstrates shifting consumer trends and the success of niche retail business models in the post-pandemic market.
When two new branches of frozen yoghurt store Yomi opened within a month of each other, queues were out the doors. Other brands popping up all over Auckland – and social media feeds – seem hugely popular. Why, after a decade, is froyo back in fashion?
Teal colourways are back on shelves. Skinny jeans are being spotted on the streets. Frozen yoghurt shops are everywhere. You could almost think Auckland was back in 2014. Right at the centre of it all is Yomi.
Beginning as a standalone shop in Mount Maunganui in December 2025, Yomi is a reimagined frozen yoghurt store. Think KiwiYo but on an entirely different level.
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