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
Coming UMKC innovation center to serve students, entrepreneurs
With funding shored up from private and public donors, the University of Missouri-Kansas City is planning to move ahead with its plan to build the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center to support students and entrepreneurs. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced Tuesday that the state is allocating $7.4 million to the center, which represents half…
Security firm Nodal nabs $100K, ramps up hiring
Good news is stacking up for Kansas City-based Nodal Industries. The security hardware tech company recently snagged $100,000 in seed funding as part of an opportunity to participate in the 500 Startup accelerator program, based in Mountain View, Calif. The funding will allow Nodal to hire up to eight people, as well as ramp up production…
Play-It Health lands in top-ranked digital health accelerator
As with many successful startups, the idea for Play-It Health was born out of personal experience with an unsolved industry need. Kim Gandy, a former clinician and now the founder and CEO of Play-It Health, recognized that patients were having trouble engaging and adhering to their medical regimen. In the worst cases, this led to…
LaunchKC, Techweek to welcome 10 tech firms to KC in style
In roughly four months, Kansas City will welcome a crop of tech startups bolstered by thousands of dollars in funding and a rockstar arrival. Kansas City’s LaunchKC competition — which aims to attract 10 tech firms to relocate to KC with $50,000 grants — has partnered with national tech conference Techweek to offer the winners…