Solomon Choi, who founded Latest York City’s self-serve frozen yogurt concept 16 Handles in 2008, died on Friday at 44. No reason for death was listed in his obituary.
16 Handles grew to 40 locations internationally before Choi sold the franchise in 2022 to its largest franchiser, Neil Hershman, in response to Restaurant Business Online.
“We’re deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of 16 Handles’ founder and former CEO Solomon Choi,” Hershman said in an announcement. “He was a visionary who got here to Latest York City in his 20s and founded this iconic frozen dessert brand. 16 Handles is where I got my personal start in franchising and I owe a lot to Solomon for the opportunities, education, mentorship and friendship he provided me throughout the years.”
“A part of the mission statement for 16 Handles is to ‘create moments of happiness,’ and Solomon truly embodied this in his personal and skilled life, all the time sporting an enormous smile and optimistic outlook,” Hershman said. “Our hearts exit to his family, friends and all those that loved him and worked with him during this incredibly difficult time.”
Choi also founded Greeno Products, a supplier of custom disposables for the food service industry, and commenced Jabba Brands in 2019 to advise, invest and operate food service corporations, in response to his obituary.
Solomon Choi, who founded Latest York City’s self-serve frozen yogurt concept 16 Handles in 2008, died on Friday at 44. Solomon Choi/Instagram
16 Handles grew to 40 locations internationally before Choi sold the franchise in 2022 to its largest franchiser. Solomon Choi/Instagram
He was also an Angel Squad member at Hustle Fund, a enterprise capital firm that invests in early-stage startups.
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Choi moved to the US and graduated from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business in 2002.
He was born in Seoul, South Korea, and lived in Manhasset, Latest York, on the time of his death.
Choi met his wife, Hannah Chang Choi, in 2015 at a 16 Handles location on the Upper West Side, per the obituary.
Along with his wife, Choi is survived by his 7-year-old and 4-year-old children, his parents and two sisters.
Along with his wife, Choi is survived by his 7-year-old and 4-year-old children, his parents and two sisters. Solomon Choi/Instagram
Choi posing for an image with Shaquille O’Neal. Solomon Choi/Instagram
He was scheduled to seem on a panel concerning the way forward for digital transformation within the limited-service segment, in response to his LinkedIn.
“Solomon’s legacy will survive eternally through the memories of those that had the chance to know him and the impact that he had on countless lives,” his obituary noted. “Solomon will likely be remembered for his relentless optimism, his discipline and fearlessness, and his Michael Jackson dance moves. Most significantly, he was committed to loving his wife and kids to the perfect of his ability and will likely be remembered because the world’s best husband and daddy.”
