Yard Milkshake Bar set to open Friday in long-vacant BK Whopper Bar at Power & Light
March 12, 2025 | Startland News Staff
Kansas City is gaining a new sweet spot as the acclaimed dessert startup The Yard Milkshake Bar opens its first metro location this week in the Power & Light District — filling a long-standing hunger for the right flavor of business at PNC Plaza.
The Heart of KC Shake, available exclusively at the he Yard Milkshake Bar’s new space in the Power & Light District; courtesy photo
“Our team works hard to curate the District with amenities that enhance the downtown experience so that it is an appealing destination for both residents and visitors alike,” said John Moncke, president of the Kansas City Power & Light District. “This unique concept will be a great addition to our neighborhood, and adding this specialty dessert location will make the lives of our residents, tenants, and visitors a little sweeter.”
The franchise location officially opens Friday, March 14 at 1350 Walnut St., with a grand opening planned for March 21-23. The latter event is expected to feature giveaways, special promotions, and a Build-Your-Own Milkshake Contest, where guests can submit their dream milkshake design. The winning shake will be featured on the location’s secret menu, and the winner will receive a free shake.
The Yard Milkshake Bar’s new space replaces the former Burger King Whopper Bar, which opened in 2011, but later closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alabama-built The Yard Milkshake Bar launched in 2017. After its debut on the reality TV show “Shark Tank,” the brand expanded into franchising and is now open in 30 locations across the country.
The new Power & Light location will offer seasonal milkshakes and a special Kansas City-exclusive shake, the Heart of KC Shake, that can only be found in The District and is crafted to celebrate local flavors. Inspired by the Parade of Hearts annual art installation, the franchise plans to donate a portion of its proceeds to the Love Fund, supporting local children.
The Yard Milkshake Bar will also feature its other famous, over-the-top milkshakes piled high with toppings.
Friday’s opening follows a number of other high-profile debuts near The District’s PNC Plaza, including Modern Market Eatery and Homegrown.
“This exciting new addition only adds to the growing momentum of The District and Downtown Kansas City, in what continues to be one of the most ambitious urban revitalization projects in the country,” the District said in a press release.
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
KCMO reveals seven innovation partners and inaugural demo day
Mayor Sly James on Tuesday announced seven partners for the 2016 Innovation Partnership Program and the program’s new accelerator-like approach. Now in its second year, the IPP provides select startups with city data and infrastructure at no cost and the opportunity to develop, test and demonstrate innovative solutions for the city. For the first time, the…
With traction in tow, Super Dispatch is a model ‘lean startup’
Super Dispatch began like every tech startup: with a good idea. But as founder Bek Abdullayev will tell you, it takes more than that to be successful. In 2013, Abdullayev founded Super Dispatch, a software-as-a-service platform for the trucking industry intended to eliminate paperwork. Super Dispatch streamlines the communication of documents between truckers and their…
‘Makerspace in the ‘Hood’ wants to smother poverty and crime with creativity
Every successful entrepreneur is born with a seed of opportunity. It is impossible for one person to be successful on their own; whether you extend gratitude to your family for their support, your university for its resources, or the angel investor who believed in you when nobody else did. Now imagine you grew up in…
Pipeline Entrepreneurs accepting applicants for 2017 fellowship
Ahead of its first adventure abroad, Pipeline Entrepreneurs is accepting applications for its fellowship program that not only affords entrepreneurial education but also a network of powerful business leaders. The 2017 class will mark the organization’s 11th-annual program in which Pipeline accepts at least 10 entrepreneurs from the around the region to participate in a…