Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is a well-known ice cream brand that started in 2002 with a single scoop shop at the North Market in Columbus, Ohio. The company was founded by Jeni Britton Bauer, who built it around chef-inspired flavors, high-quality ingredients, and a distinct visual identity. Over the years, Jeni’s has grown from a local favorite into a nationally recognized name, known not just for its pints in grocery stores but also for its inviting scoop shops.

As of September 2025, Jeni’s operates about 90 company-run scoop shops across roughly 15 states. The brand has a strong presence in national grocery chains, which has helped it become a familiar name in households across the country. That broad retail footprint supports the physical stores, often allowing the brand to enter new markets through grocery first, then follow up with a local scoop shop as demand builds.

In recent years, Jeni’s has expanded its product lineup beyond pints, introducing items like ice cream sandwiches and, in 2025, its first packaged ice cream bars, J‑Bars. These additions have strengthened its position in grocery freezers and given retailers more reasons to carry the brand. The company continues to release seasonal and limited-time flavors, which keeps the menu fresh and helps drive repeat visits.

One of the more notable shifts in the last few years is that Jeni’s has launched its first franchising program, structured as a Fellowship Model. For the first time, outside operators can open and run Jeni’s locations, with territories mapped across 29 states. The rollout is deliberate, focused on maintaining the brand’s look, feel, and operational standards so that franchise shops closely match the company-owned ones. This move signals a new phase of growth, with more locations expected in Sunbelt and Midwest markets, as well as in select national metro areas where the grocery presence is already strong.

Jeni’s has stayed independent and remains headquartered in Columbus. The brand is known for its attention to food quality, safety, and employee practices, and it has navigated challenges like product recalls and labor developments as it has scaled. For landlords and developers, Jeni’s represents a design-conscious, lifestyle-oriented concept with a proven track record in both retail and grocery, now positioned for broader physical expansion through a structured franchise approach.