When Ken and Sarah Barlow opened a self-serve frozen yogurt shop under the 16 Handles banner in Columbia, South Carolina, they had a simple goal. They wanted to create a place that felt joyful for their community. What followed was a rapid rise that few new franchise locations achieve. Within months of opening their doors in late June 2025, the store surpassed $1 million in total revenue, a milestone driven by strong local support and a steady stream of returning customers.
From the beginning, the couple focused on building relationships beyond the counter. Ken Barlow said the upbeat atmosphere inside the shop helped spark connections with residents, but the deeper impact came from partnerships with schools, sports teams, and local organizations. The store hosted more than 43 fundraising events that generated over $17,000 for community groups. Sarah Barlow described those efforts as one of the most rewarding parts of their journey, noting that the ability to support local causes strengthened the bond between the business and the neighborhood it serves.
That connection translated into strong early momentum. The Columbia location opened with long lines and one of the highest grossing grand opening weekends in the brand’s history. By the end of the year, the business had exceeded $1 million in sales. According to Ken Barlow, the rapid growth allowed the couple to repay their entire SBA loan within five months while still maintaining healthy cash reserves and sharing bonuses with their staff.
The idea for the business began with a small family moment. Their daughter wanted to customize her own frozen yogurt treat, and the couple realized their hometown no longer had a self serve froyo shop. That realization sparked the idea to bring the concept back to Columbia. After researching franchise opportunities, they chose 16 Handles because of its rotating flavors, health conscious options, and customizable customer experience that appealed to families.
Founded in New York City in 2008, 16 Handles has steadily expanded across the United States. The company was acquired in 2022 by franchise veteran Neil Hershman alongside YouTube creator Danny Duncan. Each location offers 16 rotating soft serve flavors that range from frozen yogurt to sorbet and ice cream, complemented by an extensive topping bar that encourages guests to personalize every dessert.
Encouraged by the success of their first location, the Barlows are already exploring the possibility of opening a second store. Ken, a Marine Corps veteran with decades of experience in the technology sector, manages operations inside the shop, while Sarah oversees marketing and administrative responsibilities. Together they say communication and mutual respect have been essential to running both a marriage and a growing business. For them, the secret ingredient behind the numbers is simple: a community that feels welcome every time it walks through the door.