NEW YORK — Soup Kitchen International, creators of the soups of Al Yeganeh, the legendary soup man who inspired the "Soup Episode" on Seinfeld, today announced they have partnered with Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Cold Stone Creamery, to create a co-branded franchise prototype.
The prototype will feature both Cold Stone's super premium ice cream and The Original SoupMan's world renowned soups.
The companies have collaborated to develop two versions of the dual branded model: one offering the full menu of The Original SoupMan soups, salads, sandwiches, and smoothies; and another offering soup only.
Seven of the Cold Stone-SoupMan "soup-only" stores will open by the end of May, including locations in Tempe, Ariz., Chicago, and Long Island, N.Y.
"The union of Cold Stone Creamery and The Original SoupMan represents two premium brands coming to together to create the ultimate guest experience in quick serve," said John Bello, chairman and chief executive of Soup Kitchen International Inc. Bello founded the South Beach Beverage Co., makers of the SoBe line of nutritional beverages, which he sold to PepsiCo Inc. for $370 million in 2001.
