Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt has been serving fresh, handcrafted ice cream since 1945, when Alice Handel opened the original stand in Youngstown, Ohio, using fruit from her own backyard. Over the decades, the company has grown from a single neighborhood favorite into a nationally recognized ice cream brand, while continuing to make its ice cream fresh daily in every location.

As of November 2025, Handel’s operates 129 stores across 14 states, with a particularly strong presence in Ohio, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, Florida, and Nevada. The company’s growth over the past five years has been marked by an accelerated pace of new store openings, driven by a franchise model that has attracted more than 65 franchisees. Handel’s has expanded its reach by adapting to a range of real estate formats, including walk-up stands, in-line stores, and drive-thru locations, allowing the brand to fit into both traditional shopping centers and non-traditional sites in high-traffic areas.

A notable milestone in the company’s evolution came with the appointment of CEO Jennifer Schuler, who brought experience in scaling foodservice concepts and has overseen significant innovation in both store formats and product offerings. Today, Handel’s is known for its extensive menu, often featuring more than 100 flavors, and its reputation for quality and consistency has earned it a loyal customer base in both established and new markets.

Handel’s continues to prioritize expansion, with a robust pipeline of new stores in development and a flexible approach to site selection. The brand’s credibility, operational track record, and willingness to adapt to a variety of retail environments make it a compelling tenant for landlords, brokers, and developers seeking a proven operator with a national footprint and ongoing growth momentum.