8 Sweet Secrets: Why Handel's Ice Cream Is Dominating 2025 And Beyond
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream is not just a nostalgic treat; as of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the brand is solidifying its position as one of the fastest-growing and most highly-rated dessert franchises in the United States. Following a record year of growth in 2024, the company is celebrating its 80th anniversary with massive expansion plans, significant industry recognition, and the launch of exciting new flavors that keep its dedicated customer base—and new fans—coming back for more.
The secret to Handel's success lies in its unwavering commitment to making every batch fresh daily, a tradition started by its founder almost a century ago. This dedication to quality, combined with a strategic national franchising model, has allowed the Youngstown, Ohio-based company to scoop up national awards and open its 150th location, proving that the demand for truly homemade, high-quality ice cream is stronger than ever.
Handel's Ice Cream: A Sweet Company Profile & History
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream is an iconic American dessert franchise with a rich history rooted in a simple, homemade philosophy. The company's profile is a testament to how a local favorite can successfully scale while maintaining its core commitment to quality.
- Founder: Alice Handel
- Founding Year: 1945
- Original Location: Youngstown, Ohio
- Founding Philosophy: Alice Handel began making ice cream using fresh fruit from her backyard garden and her own original recipes, selling it from her husband's gas station.
- Franchising Began: 1989
- Current CEO: Jennifer Schuler
- Current Status (2025): Celebrating its 80th Anniversary and operating over 150 locations across the United States.
- Signature Offering: Over 140 rotating flavors, with 48 flavors available daily at most locations, all made fresh daily on-site.
The 8 Reasons Handel's Is The Ice Cream Brand of 2025
The current buzz around Handel's is driven by a combination of strategic growth and continuous industry praise. Here are the top factors proving Handel's is a dominant force in the frozen dessert market.
1. Celebrating 80 Years of Homemade Excellence
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Handel's Homemade Ice Cream. This milestone is a rare achievement in the highly competitive food industry, underscoring the enduring appeal of the original recipes created by Alice Handel in 1945. The company’s longevity is directly tied to its commitment to making ice cream fresh every day, a process that ensures a superior, homemade taste that differentiates it from mass-produced competitors.
2. The Highly Anticipated "Sticky Fingers" New Flavor
Kicking off its 80th year, Handel's released its first new flavor of 2025: "Sticky Fingers." This decadent creation was developed by Ohio franchisee Bruce Hill and immediately generated local and national excitement. The flavor profile is complex and rich, consisting of a peanut butter ice cream base, swirled with caramel sauce or ripple, and loaded with brownie pieces and sea salt caramel truffles or chocolate truffles. Launching a unique, high-quality flavor is a key strategy for maintaining consumer interest and topical authority.
3. Rapid and Strategic National Expansion
Handel's expansion is accelerating, with the company coming off a record year of growth in 2024. The brand recently celebrated the historical opening of its 150th scoop shop. Looking ahead, Handel’s has ambitious plans for continued brand expansion in 2025, with at least 30 more new shops slated to open. This aggressive but smart growth is laying the foundation for a much larger national footprint, with new locations like Prosper, Texas, scheduled for a Spring 2025 opening.
4. Consistently Ranked Among America's Best
Handel’s has racked up an impressive collection of awards, cementing its reputation for world-class quality. The brand was famously voted the #1 ice cream on the planet by National Geographic. More recently, it secured the number two spot in the ice cream and frozen yogurt category in a Newsweek ranking of the "Best of the Best." These accolades are powerful LSI signals that boost the brand's authority and consumer trust.
5. Industry Recognition for Smart Growth
Beyond product quality, the business model itself is being celebrated. Handel's was named to the Franchise Times’ 2024 "Fast & Serious" list, which recognizes the smartest-growing franchises of the year. The company also appeared on Entrepreneur Magazine's prestigious Franchise 500 list and Fast Casual’s "Movers & Shakers 2025" list, where CEO Jennifer Schuler was named one of the top 25 industry executives. This recognition highlights the strength of the Handel's franchise system.
6. The Unmatched 140+ Flavor Portfolio
A key differentiator for Handel's is its massive, rotating menu. While most locations offer 48 flavors daily, the total portfolio includes over 140 different seasonal and specialty flavors. This ensures that customers always have something new to try, driving repeat business and curiosity. Signature and popular flavors that have become entities in their own right include:
- Buckeye: A fan-favorite peanut butter and chocolate combination.
- Spouse Like A House: A unique blend of vanilla ice cream, peanut butter, and butterscotch.
- Banana Cream Pie
- Black Raspberry Chunk
- Key Lime Pie
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie
7. Dedication to the Daily Homemade Process
The core of Handel’s success is its operational model: making the ice cream fresh daily in-house at every single location. This is a labor-intensive process that many competitors have abandoned in favor of central manufacturing. By using fresh ingredients and making small, daily batches, Handel's ensures a consistently high-quality, creamy texture and intense flavor that customers can taste.
8. A Robust Franchise Opportunity in 2025
For entrepreneurs, Handel's represents a compelling investment. The company has demonstrated over a decade of positive system-wide growth and continues to attract industry leaders to its corporate team. The strong brand recognition, combined with the proven success of the franchise model—which began in 1989—makes it a sought-after business opportunity in the food industry for 2025.
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