Latest news with #Handel's
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nostalgic treat makes ice cream debut at Handel's
(WKBN) — A childhood favorite snack is getting chilly this summer at Handel's. Read next: Champion fire dept. warns of gas leak The local ice cream company announced Monday that this summer's special flavor will be Frosted Animal Cookie. This limited-time flavor is part of its 80th anniversary summer kickoff. 'Frosted Animal Cookie takes a beloved childhood treat and transforms it into a scoop that's both playful and nostalgic,' said Hillary Frei, Chief Marketing Officer of Handel's Ice Cream. 'As we celebrate 80 years of Handel's, there's no better time to share a joyful flavor that captures the spirit of summer and brings out the kid in all of us.' The flavor is a playful twist on a classic treat that's sure to spark childhood memories, featuring a cake-flavored ice cream base with a vanilla frosting ripple and frosted animal cookies mixed in. It becomes available at participating locations beginning Tuesday, June 3. The idea for the new flavor came from franchisee Joseph Ogden, who owns and operates the Thousand Oaks and Oxnard locations in California. During his training in Ohio, he pitched the concept for Frosted Animal Cookie, inspired by his childhood field trips to the zoo and the frosted cookies his grandmother used to share with him. 'I wanted to create something that felt like a bite of childhood,' said Ogden. 'Frosted Animal Cookie is fun, colorful, and packed with nostalgic flavor. It reminds me of the cookies my grandma used to give me after a day at the zoo. I'm proud to see it come to life and be part of Handel's 80th anniversary celebration.' Handel's regularly showcases franchisee-submitted flavors, kicking off 2025 with Sticky Fingers and Raspberry Dream Cream. Kristy Regula contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time Out
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Handel's Ice Cream is opening in Burbank—and offering free scoops for a year
For eight decades, Ohio-born ice cream chain Handel's Ice Cream has been satisfying sweet tooths with its freshly made scoops and more than 100 flavors (from Banana Cream Pie to Blueberry Cheesecake Chunk, from Caramel Pretzel Crunch to Cinnamon Graham Cracker). In fact, Handel's is so beloved, it was named "No. 1 Ice Cream on the Planet" by National Geographic. So imagine our excitement when we heard that not only Handel's Ice Cream would be opening a new parlor in Burbank, but that they'll be celebrating the store opening with free ice cream—for an entire year. Yes, a new Handel's Ice Cream location will be churning away at 353 N. Pass Ave. in Burbank, CA beginning on Thursday, May 15, coinciding with the brand's 80th anniversary. Led by husband-and-wife team Phil and Molly Kaye, the 2,100-square-foot new outpost will offer Handel's signature ice cream made freshly on premises, with 48 rotating flavors including seasonal selections and beloved classics like Black Cherry, Blue Monster, Butter Pecan and Rocky Mocha Blast. 'We opened our first location a year ago in Los Feliz, within walking distance from our home, and we loved it so much, that we wanted to do it again,' said Phil Kaye, co-owner of the Burbank Handel's Ice Cream. 'Molly and I are finding new things to love in every step of the process. We have an amazing team that's excited to make and scoop ice cream. They're just as enthusiastic as we are about connecting with customers and bringing a little simple pleasure and happiness into whatever is happening in their lives.' And speaking of simple pleasures, to celebrate the grand opening, the first 50 guests to arrive at the Burbank location will receive a special offer of free ice cream for a year. Yes, a whole year. (Some fine print: Sorry kiddos, you must be 18 years or older to receive the free ice cream for a year offer.) Operating hours for Handel's new Burbank location are Sunday through Wednesday from noon to 10pm, and Thursday through Saturday from noon to 11pm, so make sure to set that early reminder for free ice cream on Thursday!
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Just the beginning': Handel's gets ready to turn 80
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) – A local and beloved ice cream shop continues its celebrations leading up to a big anniversary this summer. Read next: WKBN announces 2025 Remarkable Women winner Handel's Ice Cream will turn 80 years old in July. The beloved ice cream shop started when Alice Handel began making ice cream out of her Youngstown home in 1945. What was once just a small corner ice cream shop near the intersection of Market Street and Midlothian Boulevard in Youngstown is now a national brand. A group gathered at Handel's Creekside location in Boardman on Tuesday with WKBN to film segments for their 80th-anniversary campaign. One of those in the group was Leonard Fisher, president and chairman of Handel's Homemade Ice Cream, who says the company is showing no signs of stopping. 'I've been associated since 1985 when I first purchased Handel's, and we had the one location on the south side of Youngstown,' said Fisher. 'It has grown from one location in 1985 to approximately 155 locations now coast to coast. By the end of the year, we should have 170 locations.' When Fisher started, he says he knew the brand was definitely going to expand because it was such a loved product locally. 'Well, actually, this is just the beginning. I would say by the end of 2027, we should have 235 locations,' said Fisher. 'And then from there we're going to grow exponentially because everybody loves our product. It's homemade, made fresh on the premises. People love it.' Handel's Ice Cream will celebrate its 80th anniversary in July, and while Fisher says what they're planning for the big day is still a surprise, he credits the success of 80 years back to the woman who started it all. 'It all goes back to Alice Handel. You know, she started making ice cream one batch at a time, using strawberries from her own backyard. She had one machine making two quarts at a time,' said Fisher. 'She loved the product. She loved the community. She actually loved what she was doing. And when I met her, she said, 'Lenny, do me one favor. Don't ever change anything.' And I never did. It's just a great brand, a great community. Without Youngstown, we wouldn't be where we are today. It's a community ice cream that has grown to be a national brand.' Locally, Handel's has locations in Poland, Canfield, Boardman, Youngstown, Austintown, Liberty, Columbiana, Niles, and Hermitage. To learn more, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
27-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Handel's Swirls Up New Berrylicious Flavor Created By California Franchisee
Raspberry Dream Cream Launches April 1 YOUNGSTOWN, OH, UNITED STATES, March 27, 2025 / / -- Just in time for spring, Handel's Ice Cream, the brand serving handmade ice cream since 1945, is introducing a new flavor that's ripe for the picking. Raspberry Dream Cream is the brainchild of west coast franchisee Keith Kesler and features raspberry sherbet mixed together with the brand's signature vanilla ice cream. Guests can enjoy this limited-time, sweet sensation from April 1 through May 15 at participating locations, while supplies last! 'Raspberry Dream Cream bursts with bright, fruity flavor that blends perfectly with our classic vanilla ice cream,' said Hillary Frei, Chief Marketing Officer of Handel's Ice Cream. 'As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we're excited to continue delighting our guests with seasonal flavors that match their tastes and cravings.' Dream Team A longtime franchisee and ice cream lover, Keith Kesler was the creator of this new flavor. In addition to being a franchisee, Kesler is a Professor of Communication and is passionate about experimenting with new flavors. Kesler and his team experimented with various sherbets in their stores and discovered that blending them with the brand's creamy vanilla ice cream created one of their favorite combinations. 'I eat ice cream all over the world and am constantly trying new flavors and then experimenting to improve the taste,' said Kesler. 'Our sherbets are fantastic, and our vanilla is the best out there. The two come together beautifully in Raspberry Dream Cream.' Kesler opened his first shop in Laguna Niguel, California, and added another just three months later. Today, he and his partner's portfolio include locations in Temecula, Newport Beach, Laguna Nigel, Oceanside, Vista and beyond. 'Our first Handel's was the 39th store for the brand, and now there are more than 150 locations. We love being fully immersed in the brand and involved in each of our locations. I was a fan long before becoming a franchisee. Handel's is an authentic, beloved brand with quality ingredients and flavors that simply taste amazing,' he added. Raspberry Dream Cream marks Handel's second new flavor release in 2025. Earlier this year, the company launched Sticky Fingers, another franchisee-developed flavor. Handel's launches franchisee submissions as new flavors. Guests can enjoy the new flavor and other Handel's favorites by the dish, cone, or in a shake. For those looking to take some home, Handel's also offers its ice cream in pints, so fans can enjoy it later. For more information, including the latest news on the 80th anniversary, visit or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. About Handel's Homemade Ice Cream Handel's Homemade Ice Cream has been in the business of making and selling fresh ice cream, handmade in stores every day, since 1945. Founded in Youngstown, Ohio, the Handel's legacy was created by Alice Handel and Lenny Fisher, who grew the brand from a single Scoop Shop into a flourishing chain 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 over 150 locations across 15 states and is growing. To learn more about Handel's franchise opportunities, visit
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Handel's unveils new flavor, this year's first
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Handel's comes up with new flavors every year and Tuesday is the debut of this year's first one. It's called Sticky Fingers. It's peanut butter ice cream with a caramel ripple, brownie pieces and sea salt truffles. It's the creation of Bruce Hill, an East Palestine native who's also a Handel's franchisee of the Canfield location and one in Stowe. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Smores and Caramel Apple flavors. Sticky Fingers is his newest development. 'I think it'll be super popular. I mean, who doesn't love peanut butter, chocolate, brownies and caramel? It'll take a while for people to figure it out. You'll see it in the windows, on the flavor slots. They follow us on social media. It's posted all over that. So it should be, should be a hit,' said Leslie Christiansen. Sticky Fingers is a limited-time flavor and it's timed up to help Handel's celebrate 80 years of making scoops of excitement. There could be three more flavors making their debut later this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
