Things are shaking up in Pleasant Grove as a new dessert shop is open and ready to satisfy your sweet tooth.

The Pennsylvania-based MilkShake Factory has launched its first Utah location in the Valley Grove district adjacent to I-15 at Pleasant Grove Boulevard.

The origins of the MilkShake Factory date back more than 100 years to 1914 when a family of Greek immigrants opened a chocolate shop in Pittsburgh.

“It’s truly like a true American story,” said Micah Keith, franchise owner of the MilkShake Factory in Pleasant Grove.

Charlie and Orania Sarandou settled in the U.S. and did the one thing they know how to do: make sweets. “So they sold sweets on the street until they could finally buy their first milk or their first chocolate shop,” Keith said.

In 2003, the family’s fourth generation renamed the business to the MilkShake Factory and began expanding to nearly a dozen locations in the Pittsburgh area. In 2023, the company partnered with private equity firm Fanworth to expand across the country through franchising.

Keith attended college in Pittsburgh and worked in the food and beverage industry during his time there. Through his connections made during time spent in the area, Keith was one of the first to learn about the opportunity to own a MilkShake Factory franchise.

Keith grew up in Arizona but spent time going to high school in Southern Utah. His wife grew up in Orem. After building their family and living in various places throughout the country, they decided to settle in Utah County and thought it would be the perfect place to open a MilkShake Factory.

“There’s just so much growth, a lot of people I know love having treats and things like that, and I felt like, oh, this would be such a good fit for this area,” Keith said.

As the first official franchisee, Keith knew it was important to situate the MilkShake Factory in a visible area frequented by individuals and families.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

“We have awesome restaurants all around. We’ve got The Grid, Airborne and other kinds of family attractions nearby, and I thought, oh, this is going to be a really good spot for my first location,” Keith told the Daily Herald.

The Pleasant Grove MilkShake Factory will feature the brand’s signature milkshakes like Campfire S’mores and Chocolate Dipped Strawberry. Its gourmet menu includes Bananas Foster and Peanut Butter Brownie. It also has dairy-free options, or, for a non-ice cream treat, there’s a host of fine chocolates on the menu.

While the MilkShake Factory has been open since the middle of June, its grand opening celebration will be held Saturday, July 13, at 876 S. North County Blvd., Suite E, Pleasant Grove.

Keith said this is the first of six locations he’s planning to build and open in the area, but he mentioned other franchisees are exploring other locations in the state.

“I personally think it’s going to be kind of the next Crumbl [Cookies] in terms of excitement and build and growth,” Keith said.

For more information, visit milkshakefactory.com.