Inspiring SMILES
for more than 80 years.

Since 1934, our guests have craved Carvel®, America’s Freshest Ice Cream®. They love the taste of fresh, handcrafted ice cream, which keeps them coming back for more. It’s a tradition.

That valued tradition is even more important now as the Carvel® brand looks toward the future. Continuing to provide a moment of joy in increasingly hurried and complicated lives, Carvel® will be the #1 frozen dessert franchise opportunity in all markets where we compete.

1906Thomas A. Carvel is born in Athena, Greece on July 14th.

1929Tom Carvel begins selling ice cream from his vending truck.

1934Nation’s first retail ice cream company is founded.

1936Carvel® Corporation is formed. Tom Carvel patents a “no air pump” super low temperature ice cream.

1947Carvel® is the first to franchise a retail ice cream shop in the United States.

1951The brand introduces the flying saucers and celebrates its 100th Shoppe.

1956Carvel® starts selling ice cream novelties at their first ice cream supermarket ever.

1969Carvel® launches a complete line of all kosher products.

2001Carvel® is sold to affiliates of Roark Capital Group.

2002 The company sets the Guinness World Record for Largest Ice Cream Scoop Pyramid.

2004FOCUS Brands® is created and Carvel® is the first brand in their portfolio.

2005Carvel® adds Sundae Dashers to its menu.

2013Branded Sundae Dashers are added to the menu.

2014 The brand celebrates its 80th Anniversary.

2017Fudgie the Whale celebrates his 40th birthday.

Carvel® brings joy to the lives of our franchise owners, their guests, and their staff.

We do this by living our values every day:

Be Passionate

Celebrate Innovation

Respect Traditions

Act with Integrity

Never Give Up

We build our business on these three Pillars:

Carvel® is AMERICA’S FRESHEST ICE CREAM®

Carvel® is one of the few places where you can get freshly scooped, soft serve ice cream and novelties made right in the Shoppe.

Carvel® is your neighborhood ice cream Shoppe

Locally owned. Locally operated. Our Shoppes are an integral part of their neighborhoods. Our franchise owners are able to relate to their guests on a personal level. They are a part of community events, causes, and schools.

Carvel’s® products are always crafted by hand

Our Shoppes handcraft their cakes and novelties daily. Each item can be personalized to our guests’ cravings. It’s a difference our guests can taste and come back for, again and again.