US gourmet ice cream chain enters PH market

Right at the peak of this sizzling tropical summer, American gourmet ice cream parlor chain Cold Stone Creamery has announced its entry into the Philippine market as part of its Asian expansion program.

Arizona-based Kahala Corp., the parent company of Cold Stone Creamery, announced on Thursday the signing of a 10-year master franchise agreements with Arizona Ice Cream Corp., a subsidiary of privately-held Trimark Holdings Inc. which manages a portfolio of fashion, restaurant and health clubs in the country.

Capitalizing on increasing consumer affluence in this market with a population base approaching 100 million, the company plans to open 15 Cold Stone stores in the Philippines over the next five years, with the first location to be launched in mid-2013.

“As the premier American ice cream concept, Cold Stone Creamery promotes and encourages a fun and friendly experience through personalized ‘Creations.’ We are proud and privileged to have the brand coming soon to the Philippines,” said Yuki Rosenfeld, representative of Arizona Ice Cream.

This chain calls each ice cream it serves a “creation”—a work of art. It sells freshly made, smooth, creamy ice cream blended on a frozen granite stone with a variety of mix-ins such as fruits, nuts, candy, cookies and brownies.

Cold Stone Creamery is seen competing with the likes of Cold Rock Ice Creamery, an Australian-based ice cream parlor chain that likewise offers customized ice cream products.

The American ice cream chain has been making “strategic” moves into the international market in recent years. Simultaneous with its announcement to enter the Philippine market, it also announced the signing of a franchise deal with a local group in Bangladesh, Olive Tree Foods. This expansion will bring to 22 the number of countries the group operates in.

In Bangladesh, the plan is to open the first Cold Stone Creamery store this 2013 with the goal of opening a total of four stores within the next four years.

“We are pleased to continue our international presence and growth in Asia,” said Michael McGill, president of international business at Kahala. “Our ongoing development in key growth markets speaks to the ability of our global partners to create a unique and memorable Cold Stone Creamery experience with customers around the world. In partnering with Olive Tree Foods and Arizona Ice Cream Corp., we have again teamed up with two first class organizations that are going to take the brand to new heights in their respective markets. We are extremely excited for what lies ahead in Bangladesh and the Philippines.”

The international growth of Cold Stone Creamery began in November 2005 when the company opened its first international store in Tokyo, Japan. Today, Cold Stone Creamery stores are operating in more than 420 international locations and in 20 countries including China, Singapore, South Korea, Canada, Nigeria, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.