The One-of-a-Kind Story of Cold Stone Creamery's Rise to Fame

The Origins of Cold Stone Creamery

Cold Stone Creamery opened its first ice cream shop in Tempe, Arizona in 1988. Founders Donald and Susan Sutherland sought to create an ice cream experience that was both indulgent and interactive. Their idea was to serve premium ice cream made with fresh ingredients and mix-ins, while allowing customers to participate in the ice cream creation process. This was a new concept in frozen desserts at the time.

Offering Mix-ins and Ice Cream Creations

What set Cold Stone apart from other ice cream shops was their signature style of allowing customers to choose from a variety of mix-in ingredients like fruit, nuts, cookies, candies, and more to be blended into the freshly made ice cream. The Cold Stone Creamery founders invited patrons to step behind the granite stone countertop and watch as their personalized ice cream creation was made on the spot.

This interactive experience brought theatre and excitement to the dessert experience in a way no other ice cream shop had done before. The mix-in concept allowed customers to have complete customization over their preferred ice cream flavor profiles.

Using Only Premium Quality Ingredients

Central to the Cold Stone mission was using only the best ingredients in their ice cream. They sourced only premium quality cream, milk, and sugars to craft their signature Sweet Cream ice cream base. From there, ice cream masters would blend in real ingredients like strawberries, brownies, apple pie filling, and anything else a customer might desire.

The focus on premium, fresh ingredients set Cold Stone Creamery apart as an elevated ice cream experience compared to standard ice cream chains. Their unique style of customization and high-quality ingredients were key to the rapid success and expansion of Cold Stone locations nationwide.

The Cold Stone Creamery Experience

From the beginning, the atmosphere inside Cold Stone Creamery shops was designed to feel friendly, welcoming, and fun. Their style of allowing customers to choose their own ice cream experience helps fuel a sense of adventure. Patrons get to unleash their creativity and become ice cream innovators.

Trying Creative and Unique Flavor Combinations

With a long list of potential mix-in ingredients and unlimited flavor combinations, Cold Stone Creamery encourages experimentation. Some of their shops hold special events where customers can try unique or even bizarre ice cream concoctions. Food challenges invite patrons to try mixes with unusual ingredients like jalapenos, cayenne pepper, ghost pepper salsa, pickle brine, and more.

These types of events generate buzz and reinforce the Cold Stone identity built around fun, excitement, and absurd flavor possibilities. Even during regular operations, shops allow customers to get as creative as they want with their personalized frozen treat.

Signature Items on the Cold Stone Menu

While flavor experimentation draws interest, Cold Stone Creamery does have some legendary signature items on their menu. Top sellers include flavors like Sweet Cream, Chocolate Devotion, Strawberry Passion, Coffee Lovers Only, andMint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip.

They also have signature ice cream cakes perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or just because. Famous signature creations include combinations like the Cookie Doughnut, Apple Pie a la Cold Stone, Strawberry Blonde Brownie, and Chocolate Extreme.

The Nationwide Success of Cold Stone Creamery

From that first Cold Stone Creamery location in Arizona in 1988, the chain rapidly expanded in the 1990s and 2000s. The unique customer experience and premium quality ice cream resonated with consumers nationwide.

Becoming an International Brand

In addition to over 1,500 locations across the United States, Cold Stone Creamery expanded internationally as well. They opened shops in Egypt, Puerto Rico, Guam, China, South Korea, Mexico, and more. Their signature style was transportable to different cultures around the globe.

The participatory experience of watching ice cream artisans blend each order to order suited both American and international customers. It created a personal touch in an increasingly impersonal, fast-paced world. The premium quality of Cold Stone ice cream also holds universal appeal worldwide as consumers seek out quality flavors.

Financial Difficulties and Re-Emergence

Despite rapid growth through the first decade of 2000, Cold Stone Creamery did hit some bumps in the road in the 2010s. High real estate costs and falling sales during the Great Recession led to some store closings. In 2019, the parent company Kahala Brands sold Cold Stone to its current owners at FAT Brands. Under new leadership, Cold Stone stabilized with around 1,400 store locations and re-emerged as a beloved brand.

Their devotion to quality ingredients and delivering the ultimate ice cream experience continues today. Cold Stone Creamery invented a way of selling ice cream that delighted customers with creativity and indulgence. That legacy endures decades later as Cold Stone celebrates innovations in delivering frozen confections with warmth, care, and just a bit of madness.

FAQs

What mix-in ingredients does Cold Stone Creamery offer?

Cold Stone allows customers to choose from mix-in ingredients like candy pieces, cookies, brownies, fruit, nuts, and more. Some of their most popular mix-ins are cookie dough, chocolate chips, caramel, strawberries, cheesecake bits, and peanut butter cups.

Does Cold Stone serve ice cream cakes?

Yes, Cold Stone Creamery is famous for its signature ice cream cakes. Some popular flavors include Cookie Doughnut, Strawberry Blonde Brownie, Chocolate Extreme, and Apple Pie a la Cold Stone.

What is Cold Stone's most popular ice cream flavor?

Sweet Cream is Cold Stone's signature ice cream base used in many of their creations. Other top-selling flavors include Sweet Cream, Chocolate Devotion, Strawberry Passion, Coffee Lovers Only, and Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip.

Does Cold Stone have any food sensitivity or allergy information?

Yes, Cold Stone Creamery provides a full allergen guide on their website listing all major food allergens contained in their products, like eggs, dairy, wheat, peanuts, and soy. They encourage customers with food restrictions or sensitivities to review the information before ordering.