An 80-year-old ice cream concept is making its debut in the state next year.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is officially coming to the suburbs. The plan is for new locations in Algonquin, Elgin and the Geneva–St.Charles area. Firm opening dates have not yet been announced, but the first ice cream spot will debut by next winter.
The ice cream franchise operates over 170 locations throughout the U.S., with humble beginnings in Youngstown, Ohio. Popular flavors include birthday cake, cotton candy, chocoholic chunk and chocolate pecan. Shops are of course known for their scoops, while also serving ice cream sandwiches and handel pops, which are ice cream scoops covered in hardened chocolate on a stick.
For the new Illinois shops, the company is sticking to their Youngstown roots as the newest franchisee, Castro Rafeedie, is from the city. He recently signed for the multi-unit deal, and is excited to bring the desserts to this new market. Rafeedie and his team first need to pinpoint the first location in the suburbs.
“Once we find the location we will have a better idea about the opening dates,” Rafeedie said.
This is not the only state that Handel’s is expanding into, as 20 new franchise agreements have been signed for Arizona, California, Tennessee, Texas, Oregon and Colorado, per a report from The Daily Herald. If all goes well, the company could become another ice cream staple in Chicagoland.
For more information on Handel’s Homemade and future locations, visit their website.
