Commercial Frozen Yogurt Machine Buying Guide

Thinking about selling frozen yogurt? Whether you’re opening a dedicated frozen yogurt shop or adding a new dessert option to an existing menu, choosing the right equipment is essential.

The good news is that you don’t need a specialist machine. Commercial soft serve freezers can produce frozen yogurt, provided they’re suitable for your chosen mix and correctly configured.

This guide covers everything you need to know, from machine types and serving capacity to ingredients, running costs and maintenance.

What is frozen yogurt?

Frozen yogurt, often called froyo, is a frozen dessert made using a yogurt-based mix. It has a smooth, creamy texture similar to soft serve ice cream, but typically offers a more refreshing, slightly tart flavour.

Products vary from sweet and creamy to sharp and tangy, depending on the ingredients. Many contain less fat than traditional ice cream, although sugar and calorie levels vary between recipes.

Commercial frozen yogurt is dispensed directly from a soft serve machine into tubs or cones. Customers can personalise their desserts with fresh fruit, sauces, confectionery and other toppings.

Do you need a special frozen yogurt machine?

No. A commercial soft serve ice cream machine can also produce frozen yogurt.

The key difference is how the equipment is configured. Yogurt-based mixes often contain less fat than ice cream, which changes how they freeze and behave inside the machine.

Your equipment must be set up for the specific ingredients you’re using to achieve the correct consistency, texture and serving quality.

Changing your mix or supplier may require adjustments to the freezing settings.

At Taylor UK, we help operators choose suitable equipment and configure it for their chosen product.

How to choose the right frozen yogurt machine

Before investing, consider five important factors:

Taylor C152

1. How much frozen yogurt will you sell?

Your expected daily sales and peak demand will determine the machine capacity you need.

A compact countertop unit can be ideal for cafés, restaurants and convenience stores introducing frozen yogurt as an additional product.

Busy dessert parlours and dedicated outlets benefit from higher-capacity equipment that can serve customers quickly during peak periods.

2. How many flavours do you want to offer?

Single-flavour machines provide a straightforward solution for businesses with a focused menu.

Twin-flavour models have two separate freezing cylinders. They allow operators to offer two flavours individually or combine them into a twist.

For example, you could serve natural yogurt, strawberry, or a combination of both from one machine.

Taylor C161 Twin Twist

3. Gravity-fed or pump-fed?

Gravity-fed machines use gravity to feed liquid mix into the freezing cylinder. They generally have fewer components, making them straightforward to operate and clean.

Pump-fed models control the mix and air entering the freezing cylinder. They offer greater control over overrun, which affects the finished product’s texture, density and yield.

Gravity-fed equipment is often suitable for smaller operations. Pump-fed machines are worth considering where higher production capacity or greater control is required.

4. Countertop or floor-standing?

Countertop models are ideal where space is limited. Larger, floor-standing units suit businesses with dedicated serving areas and higher sales volumes.

Always check the machine’s dimensions, electrical requirements and ventilation clearances before installation.

Taylor C722

5. Does the machine have a hopper agitator?

Some yogurt mixes can separate when left standing in the refrigerated hopper.

A hopper agitator gently stirs the liquid to help maintain consistency throughout service.

Machines without this feature may require periodic manual stirring, following the mix supplier’s hygiene and handling instructions.

Heat-treatment systems also need careful consideration. Certain formulations, particularly those containing live cultures, may not be suitable for heat treatment. Always confirm compatibility before choosing your machine.

View Our Range of Taylor Soft Serve Machines

Which Taylor frozen yogurt machine is right for your business?

Taylor UK offers a range of commercial soft serve machines suitable for frozen yogurt applications, from compact countertop models to high-output systems.

Taylor C152 – Single flavour, gravity-fed, countertop – Cafés and smaller businesses adding frozen yogurt

Taylor C161 – Twin flavour plus twist, gravity-fed, countertop – Businesses wanting more menu variety with limited space

Taylor C706 – Single flavour, pump-fed, countertop – Busy outlets serving higher volumes

Taylor C722 – Twin flavour plus twist, pump-fed, countertop – Dessert parlours and higher-demand operations

Taylor C712 – Twin flavour plus twist, pump-fed, floor-standing – Dedicated frozen yogurt shops and high-volume sites

There’s a wide range of Taylor soft serve machine options. Contact us for advice on finding the ideal machine for your business.

Our recommendations

Taylor C712

Adding frozen yogurt to your existing menu?

The Taylor C152 provides a compact, single-flavour solution. Its gravity-fed operation and standard 13-amp power requirement make it suitable for many existing foodservice environments.

Want to serve two flavours?

The Taylor C161 offers two flavours plus a twist in a space-saving countertop design.

Expecting high demand?

The Taylor C722 combines pump-fed operation with twin-flavour flexibility and hopper agitators.

For larger, dedicated outlets, the Taylor C712 provides a high-capacity, floor-standing alternative.

View Our Range of Taylor Soft Serve Machines

What type of frozen yogurt mix should you use?

Your choice of ingredients affects flavour, texture, storage requirements and preparation time.

There are three main types of commercial mix:

Powdered mix: A convenient option with a long shelf life before preparation. Combine it with the specified liquid ingredients to produce a consistent product.

Fresh liquid mix: Supplied ready to use or requiring preparation. It needs temperature-controlled storage and careful handling to maintain product quality and food safety.

UHT liquid mix: A shelf-stable alternative that can be used directly from its packaging, subject to the manufacturer’s instructions. Availability depends on the supplier.

Taylor Frozen Yopiu Powder

Taylor UK supplies Frozen Yopiu, a professional powdered mix manufactured in Italy by Comprital.

It offers a convenient way to prepare a smooth, tart dessert with consistent results.

The standard preparation uses:

1.5kg Frozen Yopiu powder + 6 litres of skimmed milk

Some milk can be replaced with natural yogurt or water to adjust the flavour and texture, following the recommended recipe.

Powdered ingredients also make stock management simpler, allowing operators to prepare quantities based on expected demand.

Is selling frozen yogurt profitable?

Frozen yogurt can be a profitable addition to a foodservice menu, particularly when operators control portion sizes, ingredient costs and wastage.

Toppings also create opportunities to increase the average transaction value.

Your potential return depends on the selling price, daily sales, operating expenses and equipment investment.

To estimate your gross contribution per serving, subtract the direct costs of the yogurt mix, toppings, packaging and other variable costs from the selling price excluding VAT.

You should then account for staff, electricity, cleaning, maintenance and other overheads when calculating profitability.

Try Our Profit Calculator

Cleaning and maintaining your equipment

Regular cleaning is essential for food safety, reliable operation and consistent product quality.

The Taylor models highlighted above have a three-day cleaning schedule specified on their product pages. Operators must follow the instructions for their particular machine, chosen mix and food safety procedures.

Daily cleaning of dispensing areas, correct temperature control and regular inspection of components are also important.

Plan for routine servicing and replacement of wear parts to maintain performance and reduce avoidable downtime.

Don’t forget allergen management. Milk is a common ingredient, while toppings may introduce nuts, cereals containing gluten and other allergens. Businesses must provide accurate allergen information to customers.

View the Taylor Soft Serve Operator Training Videos Here >>>

The Taylor UK Customer Service & Support Centre is open seven days a week, 364 days of the year to provide technical advice, arrange spare parts and consumables, or to organise a reactive service engineer visit as required. Call 01473 350047 or email service@taylor-company.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

Can you use an ice cream machine to make frozen yogurt?

Yes. Many commercial soft serve ice cream machines can dispense frozen yogurt. The equipment must be compatible with the chosen mix and configured to deliver the correct freezing consistency.

How much does a commercial frozen yogurt machine cost?

Prices vary depending on capacity, number of flavours, feeding system and machine features. Installation requirements and ongoing operating costs should also be considered. Contact Taylor UK for a recommendation and quotation based on your business.

Can one machine serve different flavours?

Yes. Twin-flavour models can dispense two separate flavours and a combined twist. Single-flavour machines can also serve different products at separate times, provided they’re compatible and the equipment is correctly cleaned and configured.

Is frozen yogurt healthier than ice cream?

Not necessarily. Some varieties contain less fat, but sugar and calorie levels depend on the recipe and toppings. Always check the nutritional information before making specific health or nutrition claims.

Can I use the same machine for frozen yogurt and soft serve ice cream?

Potentially, yes. However, different mixes may require changes to the machine settings. Cleaning and reconfiguration may also be necessary when switching products.

Find the right frozen yogurt machine with Taylor UK

Whether you’re introducing frozen yogurt to an existing business or opening a dedicated shop, Taylor UK can help you choose equipment that suits your menu, space and expected demand.

Our team provides practical advice on machine selection, product compatibility, installation and ongoing support.

Speak to our equipment specialists about your requirements.

Call 0800 838 896, email sales@taylor-company.co.uk, or complete our online enquiry form to arrange a consultation.