16 Handles to enter metro Phoenix with three frozen yogurt shops starting February 2026
New York-based dessert franchise outlines multi-unit metro Phoenix rollout
Frozen yogurt chain 16 Handles is preparing to open three locations in the Phoenix metropolitan area, marking the brand’s entry into Arizona. The planned openings are scheduled to begin in February 2026, with additional timing dependent on construction and permitting.
The expansion follows a multi-unit development agreement with Phoenix-area franchise partners. While the company has confirmed the metro Phoenix target and an early 2026 start, it has not publicly released a full list of addresses for all three sites.
One location has moved into the permitting phase in Chandler
Public permitting records indicate that one of the first Arizona locations is planned in Chandler. A permit has been issued to build out a roughly 1,554-square-foot frozen yogurt shop space at Fulton Ranch Towne Center, near South Arizona Avenue. The permit identifies a local ownership entity tied to the project; an official opening date for the Chandler site has not been announced.
Beyond Chandler, the remaining two metro Phoenix locations have been described as part of the same multi-unit plan. Details such as neighborhood selection, store size, and opening sequence have not been confirmed publicly.
Expansion is part of a broader 2025 development pipeline
The metro Phoenix plan comes as 16 Handles accelerates its national footprint through franchising. The company has reported signing 25 franchise deals during 2025 and has stated that 32 additional stores are in development across several states. The brand has described these agreements as including both new-market entries and expansions in existing regions.
16 Handles was founded in 2008 and is known for a self-serve format built around rotating soft-serve flavors and a wide range of toppings. The chain has also emphasized packaged and take-home products as part of its store offering. In 2022, the company was acquired by its largest franchisee, who became chief executive.
What to watch as openings approach
Site confirmations: addresses and lease announcements for the second and third stores have not yet been disclosed.
Permitting timelines: build-outs and inspections typically determine whether planned opening windows hold.
Competitive landscape: the metro Phoenix dessert category includes both legacy frozen yogurt concepts and newer, café-style dessert shops, increasing the importance of location selection and operational execution.
The first Arizona store is expected to be among the earliest openings in the three-store metro Phoenix plan, with openings slated to begin in February 2026.
As the initial opening window nears, further public filings and lease disclosures are expected to clarify the full metro Phoenix rollout and whether all three stores will open within 2026.