49 Trending Ice Cream Businesses [2024]

Pat Walls

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Updated: July 24th, 2023

Start An Ice Cream Business

If you have ever dreamed of owning an ice cream business, [[current_year]] might be the year to make it happen.

An ice cream shop is the easiest and, if done right, the most profitable business venture you will ever begin. Experts predict the ice cream market size in the coming years will grow at a CAGR of 4.2%.

A few reasons for expanding the market include the availability of innovative flavors and the growing popularity of impulse ice cream products like cones, sandwiches, and pops. Additionally, health consciousness among consumers is likely to increase the demand for premium ice cream brands.

Here are some ice cream business ideas you might consider:

Start an ice cream cone production business
Start a vegan ice cream business
Start an ice cream cookbook business
Start a drive-thru ice cream and frozen yogurt business
Start an ice cream producer business
Start an ice cream spoon manufacturing business
Start an ice cream wholesaler
Start an ice cream truck business

Looking for some examples of a ice cream business?

Interested in case studies of a successful ice cream business? Check out our full list of success stories.

1. Jeni's

Jeni Britton Bauer is the founder and chief creative officer of Jeni's, who started this business in 2002. Jeni's is known for making ice creams with artful attention to detail and amazing customer satisfaction. Her cookbooks have won New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers along with James Beard Award in 2012.

Where they're located: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Website traffic: 290K/month

2. Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream

Official site for Ben & Jerry's super premium ice cream and greek frozen yogurt. Peace, Love, & Ice Cream.

Website traffic: 140K/month

Learn more about starting an ice cream business:

Where to start?

-> How to start an ice cream business?
-> How much does it cost to start an ice cream business?
-> Pros and cons of an ice cream business

Need inspiration?

-> Other ice cream business success stories
-> Marketing ideas for an ice cream business
-> Ice cream business slogans
-> Ice cream business names
-> Ice cream business Instagram bios
-> Ice cream business Instagram captions

Other resources

-> Ice cream business tips
-> Blog post ideas for an ice cream business
-> Ice cream business quotes

4. Nick's Ice Cream

Nick's was founded by Nicolas Luthman in 2014 when he was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. Nicolas shifted his lifestyle to a low-carb and anti-inflammation diet, which led to the development of Nick's. His ice creams have now successfully become a replacement for sugar while being tasty treats.

Website traffic: 90K/month

5. Häagen-Dazs® Ice Cream, Bars and Sorbet

Official website of Häagen-Dazs ice cream, ice cream bars, and sorbet. Simply extraordinary since 1960.

Where they're located: Sacramento, California, USA
Website traffic: 220K/month

6. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream was started by Ben, Pete, and Laura in 2008. The mission of Van Leeuwen is to produce healthy ice creams with simple and easy ingredients.

Where they're located: Manhattan Community Board 1, New York, USA
Website traffic: 60K/month

7. Graeter's Ice Cream

Graeter's Ice Cream is family owned and operated for the last 150 years. It was started by Louis Charles Graeter and his wife Regina in 1870 by selling ice creams on McMillan Street. Four generations of the Graeter family have remained committed to providing handcrafted and indulgent ice cream available.

Where they're located: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Website traffic: 110K/month

8. Rebel Ice Cream

Rebel Ice Cream is founded by Austin & Courtney after they decided to quit sugar and develop healthy eating choices. Rebel Ice Cream has healthy fats, low net carbs, creamy texture, and zero sugar. After collaborating with different food scientists, they have come up with low-carb ice cream recipes.

Where they're located: Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Website traffic: 80K/month

9. Handel's Ice Cream

Handel's Ice Cream started when Alice Handel started selling her homemade ice creams at her husband's gas station. The menu gradually expanded to 100 flavors of her homemade ice cream and yogurt. Handel's Ice Cream uses unique recipes and techniques, which is the secret of their excellence.

Where they're located: San Diego, California, USA
Website traffic: 150K/month

10. Blue Bunny Ice Cream

Blue Bunny was founded in 1935 by Wells Brothers during a contest and has grown rapidly since. The ingredients used come from fresh, local milk with flavors freezer in each bite. They have new see-through packing so you can see the goodness inside.

Where they're located: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Website traffic: 130K/month

11. KetoPint

Keto Pint is a transition to low-fat and sugar-free ice creams. Their purpose is to promote a healthier future with low-sugar products that taste good. Keto Pint uses fresh and sustainable dairy products that are ideal for better health.

12. Bassetts Ice Cream

Since 1861, Bassetts Ice Cream is family owned and operated. The current president and CEO, Michael Strange, is the great-great-grandson of the company's founder, Lewis Dubois Bassett. The company promises taste, authenticity, and exceptional customer service.

Where they're located: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

13. Beckon Ice Cream

Beckon Ice Cream is founded by two friends Katy and Gwen, with a vision to provide the creamiest and healthiest ice creams. Their purpose is to spread joy through a variety of ice cream flavors for everyone.

14. Cado Avocado Ice Cream

Where they're located: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

15. Alden's Ice Cream

Alden's Ice Cream was founded in 2004 with the source of fresh dairy milk. Alden's Ice Cream has no artificial sweeteners, GMO, or antibiotics. Their products are organic and gluten-free.

16. Umpqua Dairy

Umpqua Dairy was founded by Ormond Feldkamp and Herb Sullivan in 1931. Over the years, they have upgraded their dairy products and packing for betterment. Umpqua has preserved its taste and quality since it was founded. The company has won Irving B. Weber distinguished Award for Excellence, and Quality Chek'd Most prestigious award.

Where they're located: Anchorage, Alaska, USA

17. EDY'S® Ice Cream

EDY'S® Ice Cream was founded by Joseph Edy and William Dreyer in 1928, with a vision to spread flavor and smiles. EDY's now makes more than three million gallons of ice cream in a single year. Each batch is made with attention to detail and filled with flavors.

Where they're located: Tampa, Florida, USA

18. Cauldron Ice Cream

Cauldron Ice Cream is a handcrafted blend of flavors, which started in Orange County, California back in 2014. Over the years, it has expanded over 10 different locations with the aim to deliver the best. Each batch consists of all-natural, handmade ice cream with nutrients packed inside.

Where they're located: San Diego, California, USA

19. Philadelphia Water Ice Factory

Philadelphia Water Ice Factory was formed in 1988 in Philadelphia by Ronald Kaleck and his son Robert. They made each product by themselves with utmost care and detail. Robert hired his long-term friend Steve Matthews in the business, and they both made the company what it is today.

Where they're located: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

20. Hammond's Gourmet Ice Cream

Where they're located: San Diego, California, USA

21. Swensen's Home Page

Where they're located: Phoenix, Arizona, USA

22. Hakuna Brands

Where they're located: Los Angeles, California, USA

23. Skinny Cow®

Skinny Cow® believes dessert is meant to be eaten. Indulge in all its chocolatey and caramely glory today

24. New Orleans Ice Cream Co.

Our hand crafted ultra premium ice cream uses all natural flavors and the freshest local ingredients. New Orleans Ice Cream is available in good grocery stores everywhere, and in some great restaurants, ice cream shops, coffee shops, hotels and diners too.

Where they're located: Los Angeles, California, USA

25. CHURN

Where they're located: Phoenix, Arizona, USA

26. Koolfi Creamery

Indian inspired kulfi ice creams made California style with fresh, local Straus organic dairy and coconut milk dairy-free frozen desserts . Find us at food businesses near you, catering or order online here

Where they're located: San Jose, California, USA

27. Brics

The place to chill in Broad Ripple. Brics, the Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station, is where you can enjoy premium, hand-dipped ice cream in a historic train depot turned charming ice cream shop open year round that also serves fair-trade coffee, sundaes, shakes & malts, and many other creations.

Where they're located: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

28. Stella Jean's

Where they're located: San Diego, California, USA

29. Mike's Ice Cream

Where they're located: Nashville, Tennessee, USA

30. Kula Ice Cream

Kula is a plant-based vegan ice cream made to be shared, no matter your allergy, preference or beliefs. Local, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free, Kula allows everyone to celebrate the sweetness without sacrificing taste.

Where they're located: San Diego, California, USA

31. Oregon Ice Cream

Creators of extraordinary frozen desserts since 1938. We believe in doing life together while making quality frozen desserts available to everyone.

Where they're located: Aurora, Colorado, USA

32. Homemade Brand Ice Cream

At Homemade Brand we have had a simple philosophy from the very beginning: the very best ingredients make the very best ice cream.full

Where they're located: Jacksonville, Florida, USA

33. Yumi World Class DSD

Where they're located: San Antonio, Texas, USA

34. magnolia

35. Steve’s Ice Cream: Unique Ice Cream and Dairy-Free Flavors Inspired by the World Over.

This is Steve’s Ice Cream: handcrafted, globally inspired ice cream and dairy-free flavors. Crave the Unexpected.

Where they're located: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

36. Scoop San Diego · Ice Cream Festival

Southern California's original and only ice cream festival benefitting undeserved communities in San Diego

Where they're located: San Diego, California, USA

37. Midnight Kitchen Tools

How much they make: $780K/year
Where they're located: South Lyon, MI, USA
How much did it cost to start: $25K
Current team size: 4

How This NASA Engineer Built A $65K/Month Kitchen Tools Business

Midnight Kitchen Tools founder Michael Chou shares how he identified a need in the market for ergonomic kitchen tools, and built a successful business through Kickstarter campaigns, e-commerce capabilities, and partnerships with other companies.

About

Michael started Midnight Kitchen Tools about 10 years ago

Revenue

Michael grew the business to $65K/month

Costs

It cost Michael $25000 to start the business

Read this case study

Read by 1,642 founders

38. Mayfic Ice Cream Truck is an Ice Cream Van in San Diego, CA

Where they're located: San Diego, California, USA

39. SITE NOT FOUND

Where they're located: San Diego, California, USA

40. San Diego Ice Cream Truck, Dessert Trucks Special Events & Catering

Southern California's premier Ice Cream Truck & Dessert Truck Catering Service! Let us make your next Corporate, Wedding or Special Event a memorable one.

Where they're located: San Diego, California, USA

41. El Paraiso Ice Cream

Where they're located: San Antonio, Texas, USA

42. Mayday Ice Cream

Where they're located: Jacksonville, Florida, USA

43. Little Moons

Little Moons Mochi - Ice cream from another world. Available in Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Amazon Fresh, Deliveroo and UberEats.

44. Ice Cream Sociables

Where they're located: Phoenix, Arizona, USA

45. Wholesale Ice Cream Distributor

Where they're located: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

46. the-plush-horse

The Plush Horse offers delicious homemade ice cream with a historic flair. Eat inside, and experience the nostalgia of yesteryear or stroll outside to our beau

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Starting An Ice Cream Business: Everything You Need To Know

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48. Cold Stone Creamery

Cold Stone Creamery offers the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience. Ice Cream, Ice Cream Cakes, Shakes, and Smoothies the Way You Want It.

Where they're located: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Website traffic: 1.24M/month

49. HALO TOP

Halo Top is light ice cream that actually tastes like ice cream.

Where they're located: San Antonio, Texas, USA