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The fastest-growing ice cream franchise inks six-unit agreement with established hospitality group
Cincinnati, OH (RestaurantNews.com) Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, the iconic ice cream franchise founded in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1945, is expanding close to its roots with a six-unit agreement in Cincinnati.
The six new parlors will be developed across the Cincinnati area, with the first slated to open in late summer 2027. The new franchisee at the helm of this multiunit agreement is Royal Scoop, LLC, a group of local, experienced multiunit operators with backgrounds in restaurant and hotel operations.
“What really stood out to us about Handel’s was not only the strength of the brand, but the people behind it,” said Raj Patel, operational principal of Royal Scoop, LLC. “As experienced multiunit operators, we know how important it is to have a strong partner behind us as we grow. The Handel’s team has been incredibly supportive throughout the process, and their commitment to franchisee success gave us a lot of confidence in our decision. We’re excited to bring a product that customers genuinely love to Cincinnati, and we look forward to growing with the brand for many years to come.”
The expansion into Cincinnati also continues the brand’s momentum of entering new markets with multiunit agreements. Earlier this year, Handel’s announced its debut in three key markets: the Chicagoland area, the Rio Grande Valley in Texas and Fort Collins, Colorado.
“Cincinnati holds a special place for us as an Ohio-born brand, and we’re proud to bring Handel’s here,” said Erin Snyder, Vice President of Franchise Development. “We’ve been inundated with inquiries into this market for a long time, which allowed us to be incredibly selective, and we found exactly the right partner in Royal Scoop. Their experience in multiunit restaurants and hotel operations, combined with their passion for community and genuine love for our brand, makes them the ideal franchisee to introduce Handel’s to this city. Cincinnati is a market that has wanted us for a long time, and we’re developing it in a major way.”
Handel’s continued momentum is driven by the brand’s proven business model. Earlier this year, Handel’s published its annual Franchise Disclosure Document, reporting 11 consecutive years of same-store sales increases. The brand’s 2025 AUV of $1.1 million remains among the highest in the ice cream category and one of the highest in the dessert category more broadly, supported by a parlor-level EBITDA of 20.3% in 2024. Existing operators, who account for 60% of Handel’s growth, continue to reinvest at a rate that reflects the strength of the model.
“Experienced multiunit operators are looking into Handel’s like never before,” said Jennifer Schuler, CEO of Handel’s Ice Cream. “It’s easy to see why. Our business model is simpler than most QSR and dessert concepts, and our unit-level economics are among the best in the category. With nearly 200 locations and significant runway still ahead, Handel’s is well-positioned for rapid nationwide expansion.”
About Handel’s Ice Cream
Founded in the summer of 1945, Handel’s began when Alice Handel started serving homemade ice cream from her husband’s gas station in Youngstown, Ohio, using fruit from her backyard and her personal recipes. Her handcrafted creations quickly became a neighborhood favorite, laying the foundation for what would become one of America’s most beloved ice cream brands.
Under the stewardship of Lenny Fisher, Handel’s grew from a single stand to a nationally celebrated franchise, earning generations of loyal fans through its steadfast commitment to quality, tradition and community. Now with nearly 200 locations and 150 flavors that rotate seasonally, the brand still stays true to Alice’s original vision. Each batch of ice cream is still made fresh on-site.
Handel’s is consistently ranked on Franchise Times’ Top 400 list, which recognizes the largest franchise systems in the United States, moving up from 320 to 272 in 2025. The brand is also often included in the publication’s “Fast & Serious,” a list of the smartest-growing franchises for the year, shifting from 24 to 19 in 2025. Handel’s also appeared on Fast Casual’s Movers & Shakers 2025 list, and CEO Jennifer Schuler was named one of the top 25 industry executives, an honor recognizing exceptional leadership and innovation in foodservice. Handel’s is also regularly recognized as a Top 500 Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine.
To learn more about Handel’s franchise opportunities, visit HandelsIceCream.com/handels-franchise/.
Contact:
Betsy DeMik
Champion
972-930-9933
bdemik@championmgt.com
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