How Marble Slab Creamery Launched the Fan-Favorite Hand-Mixed Ice Cream Category

Marble Slab Creamery®, the beloved ice cream franchise with 133 stores across 23 states, has been serving up hand-mixed premium ice cream live in front of customers for 38 years. A practice that has now become world famous.

“As the gourmet ice cream category becomes increasingly competitive and crowded, Marble Slab Creamery continues to lead the charge as a top purveyor of premium, hand-mixed ice cream,” said Chris Cheek, chief development officer of FAT Brands, Quick Service Restaurant Division, the multi-brand franchisor behind Marble Slab Creamery. “The brand has nearly 40 years of history and experience in this space and, as a result, has created a craveable product that resonates with customers of all ages and demographics.”

Founded in 1983, Marble Slab Creamery decided to go beyond simply shaking a few sprinkles or putting fudge on top of an ice cream sundae. Early on, the brand understood that customization makes the ice cream experience special, paired with a high-quality product and an interactive experience unlike anything else. And it’s a model that has proven to make people of all ages smile.

In fact, the craveable, indulgent dessert is the perfect comfort food for the whole family. As a proverbial cherry on top, the brand offers unlimited mix-ins and doesn't “sprinkle and dime” the customer, which kept sales high despite the global pandemic. The franchise has meticulously priced its treats to perfection and strategically placed the storefronts in high-traffic areas. As a result, even when many of these popular destinations closed for the pandemic, Marble Slab Creamery’s stores were able to leverage the draw of a hand-mixed made in-store ice cream that provides customers with a product unlike anything else they can get at home. Now, as more Americans begin to venture back outside and revisit their favorite pre-pandemic destinations, the brand is seeing a rebound in sales.

How Marble Slab Invented A Category

Everyone already screams for ice cream, but before Marble Slab Creamery chilled a stone slab and got to hand mixing, there was nothing else like it in the marketplace. Since then, the process has become popularized by other national brands but the original idea, and taste, remains unbeaten.

“The hand-mixed ice cream technique has become popular practice at many ice cream chains across the country but only Marble Slab Creamery offers a fully immersive and transformative experience. Getting ice cream should be a treat for all of the senses and it’s an experience that has proven to be pandemic-proof,” said Damico.

There’s something to the performance aspect of seeing a Marble Slab Creamery employee mix in toppings until the ice cream becomes rich with flavors and textures. The event has become beloved by children, families, college students and adults alike and has allowed the brand to weather years as challenging as 2020.

With literally endless possibilities of ice creams, shakes, sundaes and toppings, fans of the brand constantly come back for a taste of something new. Additionally, the brand began integrating with FAT Brands, Quick Service Restaurant Division sister brand, Great American Cookies, in 2015 for a co-branded store experience. The ultimate sweet spot, the combined storefronts currently boast 145 locations nationwide with continued plans to grow.

“Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery offer a natural partnership,” said Cheek. “The fusion of gourmet cookies and premium ice cream offers continued opportunities for growth for both brands and we look forward to expanding into new markets this year.”

The brand plans to open 32 new locations this year. Startup costs range from $316,285 to $409,935.

Learn more about franchise opportunities at: https://www.marbleslabfranchise.com/. 

About Marble Slab Creamery®

Marble Slab Creamery, a leading purveyor of chef created super-premium hand-mixed ice cream and the innovator of the frozen slab technique, was founded in 1983. Every batch of Marble Slab Creamery ice cream is fresh made in small batches in store using dairy from local farms and flavor ingredients from around the world. Today, Marble Slab Creamery is enjoyed by consumers across the globe with locations in Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Singapore, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the United States.