It’s not only burgers, escape rooms and zipline roller coasters bringing the boys (and girls) to the yard of Lumberjack Square in Pigeon Forge this month.
Cue the music. The Yard Milkshake Bar is now open in Pigeon Forge.
Best known for their crazy creations, The Yard Milkshake Bar is a specialty dessert and ice cream shop that serves (literally) over-the-top shakes and sundaes.
A grand opening for the location in the Smoky Mountains was held on April 1, 2022.
How much does The Yard Milkshake Bar cost?
The Yard can teach you about their milkshakes, but naturally, they have to charge.
The gram-worthy milkshakes that make The Yard famous cost $17 for a pint. These massive milkshakes are works of art that are topped with an entire extra dessert, like a whole slice of cheesecake, a cookie or a cupcake.
If you’re not quite ready to fork over nearly $20 for a gigantic milkshake, you can start smaller.
For example, specialty ice cream bowls are $12, which offer smaller versions of the larger works of art.
If you want an even smaller taste, you can try a Calf Cup (one scoop) for $4, a Half Pint (two scoops) for $6 or a Boss Bowl (3 scoops) for $8.
You can also make your own exclusive concoction. Simply choose a flavor of ice cream and then select toppings.
There are dozens of toppings to choose from. Most toppings are 75 cents each. Specialty toppings, like a donut or mermaid tail, are $2 each.
The Yard is also famous for its edible cookie dough, which is available in a pint jar ($15) or as a cookie dough pop ($4).
Remember, prices are subject to change.
Do you keep the jar at The Yard Milkshake Bar?
If you order one of the specialty milkshakes for $17, the souvenir jar is included.
Also, you can add a souvenir mason jar to other pint-size orders for $3.
What’s on the menu at The Yard?
The Yard is best known for its specialty milkshakes and sundaes. They also offer edible cookie dough, scooped ice cream, floats, dough pops and bowls.
The Pigeon Forge location even offers an exclusive menu item inspired by Dolly Parton herself.
The Dolly has strawberry ice cream with rainbow marshmallow drizzle in a chocolate iced jar, rolled in rainbow sprinkles with pretzels, rainbow whipped cream and colorful white chocolate butterflies.
Other popular menu items include the Birthday Cake, which features birthday batter ice cream in a vanilla iced jar, rolled in sprinkles and topped with whipped cream and a whole cupcake.
Another beautiful work of art is The Unicorn, featuring cotton candy ice cream with purple marshmallow drizzle in a marshmallow cream dipped jar, rolled in sprinkles and topped with whipped cream, cotton candy clouds, a sour rainbow and a sugar cone unicorn horn.
Additionally, The Yard also has a handful of gluten-free and lactose-friendly options. Be sure to ask your server about any dietary restrictions or allergies.
Read Also: Downtown Flavortown Pigeon Forge opening date, menu and more
What ice cream flavors does The Yard have?
The Yard offers about 30 flavors of ice cream.
They offer anything from classics like chocolate, birthday cake, cookie dough or strawberry, to specialty flavors like Marshmallow Overload, Cinnamon Bun, Graham Central Station and Caramel Cheesecake Cookie Monster.
You can view the Yard’s menu here.
Is The Yard Milkshake Bar a franchise?
Yes, The Yard Milkshake Bar is a franchise with multiple locations in the United States. The location in Pigeon Forge is the first store in Tennessee.
The Pigeon Forge franchise will be locally operated and owned by Stacy Babin.
“I have such wonderful memories of family vacations from my childhood so of course I continued the tradition and took my children so they would have those same memories,” said Babin in a statement.
“I feel so blessed to start my business with The Yard in such a special place.”
Was The Yard Milkshake Bar on Shark Tank?
Yes, The Yard appeared on Shark Tank and grabbed the nation’s attention in 2019 in season 11, episode 7.
The Yard was the brainchild of husband and wife duo Logan and Chelsea Green. Chelsea’s family business was an ice cream shop, and in 2017, the couple opened their first milkshake specialty restaurant in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
The duo appeared on Shark Tank and pitched the franchise side of the business. They received offers from Lori Greiner, Kevin O’Leary and Mark Cuban.
Ultimately, they walked away with a deal from Cuban, who offered $400,000 for 22%.
Read Also: 6 crazy desserts you have to try on your next trip to the Smokies
Why is it called The Yard Milkshake Bar?
While the website makes no official mention of the song “Milkshake” by Kelis, I think it’s safe to bet that the name of the specialty dessert shop was inspired by the famous lyrics.
“When brainstorming name ideas one night in their living room ‘The Yard’ was born”, The Yard website says.
The reference was mentioned on the Shark Tank episode, when O’Leary made an offer for the entire business, instead of just the franchise, referencing the “whole milkshake” since that’s what “brings them to the yard”.
Sections of the lyrics are also included throughout the branding, including the phrase “Our milkshakes bring everyone to The Yard” and “My milkshake is better than yours”.
Plus, I’ve had that catchy tune stuck in my head ever since I started writing this article. That’s proof, right?
Where is The Yard Milkshake Bar in Pigeon Forge?
This new location is located at the Lumberjack Square, at 2530 Parkway #5 Pigeon Forge, TN.
Have you been to this milkshake shop in the Smokies yet? Let us know in the comments below.
