Handels Ice Cream signs 20 franchise agreements, expands to 175+ locations

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• An 80-Year Legacy Built on Fresh, Handmade Quality
• Q1 2026: Accelerated Growth Through Multi-Market Strategy
• Market Dynamics: Premium Ice Cream Franchise Growth Accelerates
• Strategic Growth: Quality Franchisee Partners and Market Selection
• What Comes Next: Reaching 250+ Locations by 2027?
  • Will Handel’s Expansion Continue to Outpace Industry Growth?
  • Sources

Handel’s Ice Cream continues its remarkable expansion trajectory with 20 new franchise agreements signed in Q1 2026, bringing the legendary brand to 175+ locations across 20 states. The 80-year-old ice cream company, which sold $146 million in products during 2024, demonstrates the strength of its franchise model as demand for premium, handmade ice cream accelerates nationwide.

An 80-Year Legacy Built on Fresh, Handmade Quality

Handel’s traces its roots to 1945, when Alice Handel began making ice cream in her home and serving it to neighborhood children. The brand remained a regional treasure for decades before shifting to a franchise model that has accelerated expansion significantly. 2025 marked a milestone anniversary year, with the company closing the year on an exceptionally strong note.

The franchise model has proven particularly effective because it maintains the brand’s core promise: fresh ice cream made daily on-site. Unlike competitors relying on centralized production and delivery, each Handel’s location produces its own batches, ensuring quality consistency and supporting the “homemade” positioning that resonates with consumers across diverse markets.

Q1 2026: Accelerated Growth Through Multi-Market Strategy

The 20 franchise agreements signed in Q1 2026 represent continuity with strong 2025 momentum. Last year, the brand signed nearly 60 franchise agreements, opened 20 new parlors, and entered three new states. This year’s pace already signals sustained interest from franchisees seeking proven business models with strong unit economics.

According to recent franchise data, average unit volumes exceed $1 million, placing Handel’s among the highest-performing ice cream franchises nationally. More significantly, 60% of new franchise growth in 2025 came from repeat franchisees—a critical indicator that existing operators trust the system enough to expand further. This internal expansion strategy reduces acquisition costs and improves franchisee satisfaction metrics.

CEO Jennifer Schuler has articulated a “measured approach” to scaling the brand, emphasizing partnership selection and market quality over speed. Recent expansion targets include Rio Grande Valley, Texas and Fort Collins, Colorado—strategic markets showing strong demographic alignment with the brand’s customer base.

Market Dynamics: Premium Ice Cream Franchise Growth Accelerates

Handel’s expansion occurs within a favorable industry environment. The global ice cream shop franchise market reached $21.4 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $38.6 billion by 2034, growing at a 6.8% compound annual growth rate. This expansion reflects broader consumer demand for artisanal, premium ice cream experiences over mass-produced alternatives.

Metric	2024	2025	Q1 2026
Annual Sales	$146M	Est. $200M+	On pace for $250M+
Total Locations	~150	175+	New agreements: 20
States Operating	17	20	Continued expansion
Avg Unit Volume	$800K-$900K	$1M+	$1M+
Franchisee Repeat Rate	50%	60%	TBA

The $146 million sales figure in 2024 represented a 77.2% increase over three years (from $82 million in 2022), demonstrating consistent double-digit growth even as the chain expands. This revenue trajectory reflects both same-store sales growth at existing locations and aggressive unit expansion, a combination few franchisors achieve simultaneously.

“We want to make sure that with every scoop we serve, we’re upholding the values that Alice Handel established 80 years ago—crafting fresh, handmade ice cream and serving it with genuine hospitality and community connection.”

— CEO Jennifer Schuler, Handel’s Ice Cream Leadership Statement

Strategic Growth: Quality Franchisee Partners and Market Selection

Unlike rapid expansion chains that prioritize franchisee recruitment volume, Handel’s emphasizes strategic partner selection. The brand’s leadership team explicitly focuses on “high-demand markets” and franchisees who share commitment to quality and community engagement. This selectivity explains why 60% of new deals involve existing franchisees—they understand the operational complexity of making fresh ice cream daily.

The Rio Grande Valley, Texas expansion exemplifies this approach: the region shows strong demographic appeal and seasonal tourism, making it ideal for premium ice cream. Similarly, Fort Collins, Colorado represents a college-town market with high purchasing power and established demand for specialty frozen desserts.

Recent restaurant chain consolidations and strategic closures across the U.S. have shown that franchise expansion requires operational excellence and market fit. Handel’s success metrics—particularly repeat franchisee growth and consistent unit volumes—distinguish it from chains struggling with unit economic sustainability.

What Comes Next: Reaching 250+ Locations by 2027?

If Handel’s maintains current expansion velocity, reaching 250+ locations by end of 2027 appears feasible. At $1M+ average unit volumes, this would position annual system-wide sales at $250+ million, placing Handel’s among the fastest-growing regional ice cream franchises nationally.

Key catalysts for continued growth include: proven unit economics that attract franchise capital, brand recognition strengthening across existing and new markets, and supply chain sophistication that supports daily production at scale. The brand’s 80-year heritage provides competitive advantages against newer ice cream concepts lacking operational history.

However, challenges include labor cost inflation affecting hand-production premium, real estate competition in desirable retail locations, and seasonal demand variability that requires careful unit placement and staffing. Geographic diversity across 20 states may mitigate seasonal risk compared to regional chains concentrated in cold-weather climates.

Will Handel’s Expansion Continue to Outpace Industry Growth?

The ice cream franchise sector grows at 6.8% annually, while Handel’s is expanding units at roughly 15-20% annually. This performance significantly exceeds category norms, suggesting either market share capture from competitors or entry into underserved geographic markets. The brand’s repeat franchisee strength suggests it is doing both—deepening presence in established markets while entering adjacent regions.

Franchisees considering Handel’s should monitor: same-store sales trends at existing units (confirming customer retention), labor availability in target markets (critical for hand-production model), and capital requirements for build-out of proprietary production infrastructure. The brand’s success hinges on executing the handmade-daily production promise consistently across expanding geography.

Sources

• Restaurant News – Handel’s Ice Cream franchise growth and Q1 2026 updates (April 28, 2026)
• Fast Casual – Q1 2026 financial performance and market expansion details (April 29, 2026)
• Franchising.com – Multi-state expansion and franchise signing announcements (April 28, 2026)
• QSR Magazine – 2025 year-end performance and historical context (February 17, 2026)
• Fox Business – CEO Jennifer Schuler expansion strategy interview (April 25, 2026)
• Franchise Times – Sales data, growth analysis, and industry positioning (January-September 2025)
• DataIntelo & Grand View Research – Ice cream franchise market size and growth projections (2026)