Legacy ice cream brand announces rankings in Franchise Times and Entrepreneur Magazines
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, which has been scooping freshly made ice cream since 1945, is honored to be named to the Franchise Times 2024 Fast & Serious list, as well as Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, the brand remains at the forefront of the franchise landscape, solidifying its position as a trailblazer and a leader among top franchise brands.
“As we embark on the New Year, we are excited to once again be recognized in these rankings. Our success over the past year is a testament to the legacy created by Alice Handel and Lenny Fisher, who founded and grew Handel’s from a single scoop shop into a thriving chain, as well as the commitment of each of our franchisees to make and serve the Best Ice Cream on the Planet to kids, families, and ice cream lovers across the country,” said Andrew Brennan, Board Member and Interim CEO for Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream. “We look forward to bringing our handcrafted flavors and warm hospitality to more communities in the year ahead.”
In 2023, the company welcomed 30 new Scoop Shops with new and existing franchise partners. The brand expanded in key markets including Arizona, California, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and their home state of Ohio.
This marks the second consecutive year the historic brand has made the Franchise Times Fast & Serious rankings, highlighting its enduring success and position among the top 40 smartest-growing franchise brands. Franchise Times determines the Fast and Serious rankings through a proprietary formula that measures growth over a three-year period. Renowned for its comprehensive coverage, the publication offers insightful perspectives on every aspect of the franchising industry.
In addition to the Franchise Times honor, Handel’s also ranked #182 among the top 500 brands in the 2024 Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list, up 100 spots from its ranking in 2023! With 45 years of history, the Franchise 500 is a key benchmark for franchisors and an essential resource for prospective franchisees.
With 125 locations across 12 states, Handel’s is well on its way to becoming a national brand. “While we have grown significantly, we remain focused on serving great ice cream, never skimping, and providing ice cream experiences that delight the kids, families, and ice cream lovers that visit our stores. We still have plenty of room for growth and are always considering new franchisees who buy into our mission and want to make a difference in their communities,” said Brennan.
Handel’s commitment to quality was born in the summer of 1945 by Alice Handel in Youngstown, Ohio. Today, the brand continues to uphold the traditions of Alice by making each batch fresh daily and using her original methods and recipes.
For more information about Handel’s, visit HandelsIceCream.com or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. To learn more about franchise opportunities, visit https://HandelsIceCream.com/franchise/becoming-a-franchise-step-by-step/.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream has been in the business of making and selling fresh ice cream since 1945. Founded in Youngstown, Ohio, by Alice Handel, the company continues the sweet legacy she established from her backyard garden, using fresh ingredients and upholding a commitment to quality. Each batch of Handel’s ice cream is made fresh daily, using Alice’s original methods and recipes. There are 48 flavors available daily and more than 140 flavors that rotate seasonally.
In 2023 and 2024, Handel’s ranked in Franchise Times‘ Top 400 list, recognizing the largest franchise systems in the United States, and its “Fast & Serious,” a list of the smartest-growing franchises for the year. The brand is also recognized by TasteAtlas for one of the top 100 Most Iconic Ice Creams of the World.
Handel’s has been named #1 Ice Cream on the Planet by National Geographic, one of the Top 10 Best Ice Cream Businesses by USA Today, one of the Top 500 Restaurants in America by Nation’s Restaurant News and Top 500 Franchises by Entrepreneur Magazine.
Handel’s currently has 125 locations across 12 states and is growing. To learn more about Handel’s franchise opportunities, visit HandelsIceCream.com/franchise.
Social:
Facebook: @handelshomemadeicream
Instagram: @handelsicecream
LinkedIn: @handelshomemadeicecream
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