Ice Cream Wars

The Spring certainly is the Ice Cream growth period. There is a torrid race to brand and capitalize on the publics favorite dessert. Here are some of the current counts:

1. Rita's Italian Ice. Increased recently going from 342-361 units.
2. Maggie Moo's. Increased recently going from 181-190 units.
3. Cold Stone Creamery now has 1300 locations.
4. Marble Slam Creamery now has 326 locations.
5. Friendly's currently has 530 locations.
6. Baskin Robbins has more than 5600 locations.

I have also heard of a concept called Ray's Italian Ices which operates mostly in the NE who is so popular there's a never ending waiting list to become a franchisee. They are very hard to track down. I believe they have more than 50 locations.

Chains Expanding

Here is a list of some recent expansions by restaurant chains over the most recent four month period:

Buffalo Wild Wings increased 34 units. From 350-384 units.
Bob Evans/Mimis increased 7 units for their Mimi's concepts. From 96-103 units.
Juice it up increased 7 units. From 92-99 units.
Fox & Hound increased 3 units. From 65-68 units.
Logan's Roadhouse increased 7 units. From 153-160 units.
Philly's best increased 3 units. From 18-21 units.
Wing Zone increased 6 units. From 74-79 units.