News

Cold Stone Creamery expands into South Africa

September 6, 2013

Cold Stone Creamery continues to expand its footprint, with South Africa becoming the 26th country the brand has entered. Kahala, Cold Stone's Creamery's parent company, has signed a master franchise agreement with Wilshire Foods SA LTD, according to a company press release.

Kahala co-CEO Kevin Blackwell said Wilshire brings more than a decade of experience across several South African industries, including technology, real estate and mining, as well as strong food and beverage experience and expertise, including a large F&B foothold across the United Arab Emirates. Wilshire's businesses include real estate development, mining, engineering consulting, green energy development, commercial development and software development, the release said, and the company is also a supplier of snacks and FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) to some of the largest high-end supermarket chains in South Africa. Wilshire also owns a five-star resort and various multi-unit residential properties and developments, and holds an extensive land bank across South Africa and India.

"We are very excited about our new partnership and to have the opportunity to introduce The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience to the ice cream lovers of South Africa," said Ridwaan Gouse, executive chairman of Wilshire Foods. "Cold Stone Creamery offers the freshest, highest quality ice cream products and allows its customers to combine the ice cream with a variety of mix-ins, offering a theater-like experience for consumers. As we have grown to know the Cold Stone Creamery brand, we feel they are in the business of making people happy, which is right in line with our business philosophy."

Blackwell said the blueprint to Cold Stone Creamery's global success over the last eight years "has been our ability to partner with world-class organizations. Partnering with such a diverse and respected company as Wilshire Foods strengthens the portfolio of our brand and aligns us with an organization that has played an integral role in South Africa's growth. South Africa is an exciting and emerging market, whose consumers appreciate high quality brands."

Read more about growth.