Irish frozen yogurt franchise Yogorino Korea has opened its first store in collaboration with a local partner.

Korean rapper Zico helped draw a crowd for the inauguration of the Yogorino store in Seogyo-dong, south-west of Seoul and home of Hongik University. Zico, named Fashion Icon of the Year, has been chosen as Yogorino’s ambassador. He is signing promotional items and customers may have a chance to meet him in one of the stores planned to roll out in Korea.

The new outlet covers two floors, including a spacious seating area. As well as frozen yogurt, Yogorino sells ice cream, coffee and cakes.

For South Korea, Yogorino has signed a master franchising deal with Italyo Korea, which has drawn up a 10-year development plan including about 100 stores, corner shops and shopping -centre kiosks, ready to be set in motion in the next few months.

Yogorino also has branches in Japan and the Philippines.