The History of Cold Stone Creamery

Cold Stone Creamery was founded in 1988 by Donald and Susan Sutherland in Tempe, Arizona. The couple had traveled all over the world searching for the best ice cream options, but were unimpressed with those available near their home, so they decided to make their own. They developed a super-premium ice cream recipe (super-premium is a label for offerings that feature 12% – 14% butterfat) and decided that each flavor would be made in-house daily rather than brought in from an outside vendor. Cold Stone went on to introduce many innovative flavors, including fan favorites such as Cake Batter Ice Cream. The Sutherlands also borrowed the concept for the chain's iconic mix-ins from Steve Herrell, who invented the idea at his Boston ice cream parlor, Steve's Ice Cream, in 1973. However, they took the concept to a whole new level, even using chilled granite slabs to mix the various candies, nuts, and fruits into customer orders. Cold Stone Creamery expanded quickly after opening its doors. By 2000, the chain was already featured on Entrepreneur’s “101 Fastest-Growing Franchises in America” list at No. 94 and boasted over 100 locations; five years later, the franchise had claimed the No. 12 spot and had grown exponentially. Today, Cold Stone Creamery remains an indulgent favorite for many, and the chain has even participated in a variety of partnerships that resulted in offerings like Cold Stone-themed jelly beans and even a Nintendo Switch game!