The food industry is mourning the loss of a visionary.

Solomon Choi, who founded the frozen yogurt chain 16 Handles, died June 7, the company's current owner and CEO confirmed. He was 44.

"He was a visionary who came to New York City in his 20s and founded this iconic frozen dessert brand," Neil Hershman, who acquired the company from Choi in 2022, said in a statement to Restaurant Business Online. "16 Handles is where I got my personal start in franchising and I owe so much to Solomon for the opportunities, education, mentorship and friendship he provided me throughout the years."

"Part of the mission statement for 16 Handles is to 'create moments of happiness,'" Hershman continued. "Solomon truly embodied this in his personal and professional life, always sporting a big smile and optimistic outlook."

Choi, whose cause of death was not publicly shared, is survived by his wife Hanna Chang-Choi and their two children Jubilee and Joshua.

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Choi moved to Los Angeles as a teen, ultimately finishing high school in the city before enrolling at the University of Southern California, where he graduated in 2002. And in 2008, he moved to New York City where he founded 16 Handles, the city's first self-serve frozen yogurt store, which has since expanded to over 30 locations in several states.

After selling the company in 2022, Choi, who until his death was CEO of restaurant consulting company Jabba Brands, reflected on its legacy alongside a photo of him outside the shop.

"It all started with a modest investment from my family in 2008 to open it, the experience and the know how to franchise and scale it, and exited in 2022," he wrote on Instagram March 2023. "BTW, I moved to NYC from LA during the sub prime mortgage crisis of ‘08 and bootstrapped this journey w/out additional investment."

But amid his business successes, his loved ones emphasized the multiple facets of who Choi was in his obituary.

"Solomon's legacy will live on forever through the memories of those who had the opportunity to know him and the impact that he had on countless lives," his obituary noted. "Solomon will be remembered for his relentless optimism, his discipline & fearlessness, and his Michael Jackson dance moves. Most importantly, he was committed to loving his wife and children to the best of his ability and will be remembered as the world's best husband and daddy."

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