Steven and Kim Studdard knew people were driving from Grovetown and Harlem to Evans to buy frozen desserts at Vampire Penguin, so they decided to launch their own. The couple hopes to open their franchise located at 419 Lewiston Road, Suite 2 in Grovetown later this week. Steven said they’re just waiting for their business license.
Kim got the idea from her friend, who owns the Evans franchise location.
“All this was her idea,” he said. “My wife really fell in love with the idea of opening a Vampire Penguin.”
They chose the location because they used to live in Grovetown and like the area. Steven said getting everything ready has been a challenge, especially with supply chain issues and construction delays.
“Right now, everybody is on a different schedule,” he said.
But there’s one challenge they haven’t had to face: hiring employees. For now, it will be a family-run business.
Vampire Penguin offers decadent desserts in a variety of flavors, including strawberry cheesecake, peach cobbler, and birthday cake. Steven said franchise owners also have the option to develop their own flavor combinations.
The couple hasn’t selected their combinations yet, but they may let their customers decide for them.
“We may get the public to give us opinions and put them on the menu,” he said. “That would be a fun opportunity for the people.”
Other CSRA locations can be found in North Augusta and Aiken. Steven said all local franchisees are independently owned and operated. The Grovetown location was built by Burgh Construction.
The company was founded in California in 2013 and has locations throughout much of the United States. For more information, visit vampirepenguin.com.
