Neil Hershman Takes the Helm: 16 Handles Poised for National Expansion Under New Leadership

The frozen yogurt and soft serve industry is welcoming a major shift in leadership. Neil Hershman, a proven New York City entrepreneur and the brand’s most successful franchisee, has taken over 16 Handles, marking a significant inflection point for the regional dessert chain. Joining him as Chief Creative Officer is investor and content creator Danny Duncan, whose 1.5 billion YouTube views and $50 million merchandise revenue demonstrate his ability to build consumer brands.

A Proven Operator Steps Into the Role

Hershman’s credentials speak for themselves. Over the past three years, he has built a dessert footprint across Manhattan that extends beyond 16 Handles alone. He currently operates five 16 Handles locations spanning Murray Hill, East Village, Chelsea, Tribeca, and Times Square—including a newly constructed flagship at Times Square. His portfolio has since expanded to include NYC’s first Dippin’ Dots ice cream store in the Flatiron District and Captain Cookie & the Milkman, a cookie and ice cream concept that originated in Washington DC.

This hands-on experience operating multiple locations provides Hershman with deep insights into the business model, supply chain, and customer behavior that will be essential as he steers the brand’s national expansion.

The Market Opportunity Is Clear

The numbers tell a compelling story. 16 Handles, which opened its first store in Manhattan’s East Village in 2008, now operates over 30 locations across five states. The brand commands the highest average unit volume in the frozen yogurt dessert category, with stores averaging $734,451 in annual revenue—a figure that underscores the model’s profitability.

The soft serve and frozen yogurt sector has proven to be an attractive investment thesis for operators seeking high-margin, low-labor business models. What distinguishes 16 Handles in this crowded market is its ability to appeal beyond the traditional kids’ demographic, with strategic partnerships that range from Broadway productions like Dear Evan Hansen to established food brands like Junior’s Cheesecake and Oatly.

Expansion on the Horizon

Under Hershman’s leadership, the brand is positioned to scale nationally. The initial investment threshold to open a 16 Handles franchise ranges from $228,250 to $671,000—an accessible entry point that has attracted interest from would-be franchisees. Duncan has already signaled his personal commitment by announcing plans to open a location in his hometown of Englewood, Florida, while contributing strategic direction to the brand’s national rollout.

“There is tremendous potential for this brand to dominate markets across the country,” Hershman stated, emphasizing the combination of operational maturity and startup agility that the new ownership structure provides. The 16 Handles model—featuring 16 frozen dessert options, 50+ topping combinations, and an expanding range of frozen novelties—offers both flexibility and consistency that franchisees value.

Solomon Choi, the brand’s founder, has expressed confidence in the transition. His vision of building 16 Handles into something iconic has found a natural successor in an operator who understands the brand’s DNA and possesses the ambition to take it national. With Neil Hershman at the controls, 16 Handles appears ready to move beyond its regional roots.