Mahoning Valley’s own Handel’s Ice Cream recognized by Franchise Times magazine

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, which was founded in 1945 in the Mahoning Valley, was named among the top “fast and serious winners for 2025” by Franchise Times magazine.

According to the report dated Dec. 26, Handel’s has experienced consistent growth in sales and units over the last five years, balancing the need for national standards and local touches.

System-wide sales increased 78.3 percent from $59 million in 2021 to $106 million in 2023. The number of Handel’s ice cream stores nationwide during that period rose from 75 to 124, operating in different states.

Handel’s CEO Jennifer Schuler said the company plans to continue that trend with projection of more than 150 locations nationwide.

Private equity firm ClearLight Partners acquired Handel’s in 2019.

“There’s no shortage of good things you can do to grow a business,” Schuler stated in the report. “We’re always defining what needs to be a local-based decision by ownership, with what will be national standard.”

Handel’s was also honored by other media outlets like Newsweek and 1851 Franchise for the company’s performance in 2024 and its outlook for 2025.

This story was originally published January 7, 2025 at 9:05 AM.