Yo-Chi reveals opening date for its first ever UK venue

After months of speculation, social media campaigns and countless pleas from British fans, Australian cult favourite frozen yogurt brand Yo-Chi has confirmed it will open its first-ever UK venue in Notting Hill this summer.

The announcement follows an extraordinary wave of organic demand from UK fans. Long before Yo-Chi made any official announcement, social media fans were calling for the brand to come to Britain, with many documenting trips to Australia where visiting a Yo-Chi venue had become a holiday ritual. Others discovered the brand through viral social media content, with videos of its colourful venues, self-serve bowls and famously long queues attracting millions of views.

Spanning more than 2,000 square feet across two floors, the first UK site on Notting Hill Gate has been designed to accommodate over 120 guests at once. Organic materials, warm lighting and double-height ceilings give the space an open, welcoming feel, while bespoke mural artwork, an in-store DJ booth and the brand’s signature strawberry disco ball bring the vibrant energy that has made Yo-Chi one of Australia’s most talked-about hospitality brands.

More than just a frozen yogurt destination, Yo-Chi has grown into a social hub for its Australian customers. The brand’s rapid expansion has been underpinned by demand for spaces where people can meet and spend time together without the pressure or cost associated with bars, pubs and alcohol-led venues.

Its spacious, minimalist venues and bustling self-serve bars turn a casual visit into something closer to a social ritual, with open layouts and communal topping stations designed to encourage lingering and social interaction, rather than a quick in-and-out. The format has made Yo-Chi a regular meeting point for families, school friends, first dates and post-gym catch-ups alike, with word of mouth about the atmosphere driving much of its growth alongside the product itself.

At the heart of Yo-Chi is the idea that no two bowls should be the same. Guests create their own Yo-Chi from start to finish, creating millions of possible combinations, with options to suit everyone including dairy free, vegan friendly, gluten friendly and nut free choices.

The Yo-Chi experience begins with guests selecting their bowl size before choosing from nine signature frozen yogurt flavours, eight of which are 98% fat free. Each is made with real cow’s milk, rather than powdered mixes, and contains live probiotics. For those looking for an alternative, açaí is also available as a base option, made from organic and ethically sourced berries. Guests then create their own swirl straight from the machine, combining flavours to suit their taste.

The experience is completed with Yo-Chi’s signature topping station, featuring more than 30 premium ingredients: from daily-cut fresh fruit like strawberries and blueberries, to indulgent extras including the choc chunk cookie cake, premium granola, the famous mini mochi and a wide variety of sauces and spreads. Once finished, guests simply pay for their Yo-Chi by weight at the till.

Oliver Allis, Co-owner and Chief Brand Officer at Yo-Chi, said: “This is a special moment – Yo-Chi is coming to the UK and we couldn’t be more psyched. We’d seen thousands of comments, messages and videos from Brits who’d discovered us in Australia or found us online, so we thought we’d better listen and head over.

“For those who haven’t tried Yo-Chi, it’s hard to fathom just how much hype there is around a frozen yogurt shop but honestly, there’s no other place with a better product. We’re talking yogurt made from fresh milk, not powder, plus ethically sourced açaí and fresh fruit cut every day, plus all the treats we love like cookie dough and pistachio spread.

“Back home it’s become like the new club – we’ve got bouncers on the door on Friday and Saturday nights, people go on dates there, and there’s such a mix of ages. You could walk into a Yo-Chi on any given night and find a hundred people there, all completely different ages, all having a great time in the same room.

“Expect Yo-Chi to become your go-to spot to hang out with friends, powered by the Australian hospitality that’s made us so special back home, and for the Notting Hill community, expect us to look after the locals whenever we get the chance!”

Founded in Melbourne in 2012, Yo-Chi has become one of Australia’s fastest-growing hospitality brands and something of a cultural phenomenon being described by Australia’s biggest online city guide as the “new hottest club” thanks to its environment for socialising and round the block queues.

Since 2020, the brand has grown from four venues to more than 75 locations across Australia, driven by word of mouth and a highly engaged community. The Notting Hill opening marks Yo-Chi’s first UK venue and first European location, following its recent expansion into Singapore.

Beyond the bowls, Yo-Chi’s brand is led by its ‘Environmental Honesty’ pillar, which drives environmental change in hospitality through leading the charge against plastic use and littering while championing reusables in Australia and now the UK. The brand also positions its venues as spaces for positive social connection, acting as community hubs for people of all ages, from grandparents to young professionals and schoolchildren.

Fans can follow along as Yo-Chi prepares to open its doors at 81-85 Notting Hill Gate this summer and stay tuned for launch updates, opening details and exclusive first looks via @iloveyochi.uk on Instagram and TikTok.