Franchising

Jeremiah's Italian Ice builds brand momentum

Photo: Provided.

February 26, 2021

Jeremiah's Italian Ice will open 35 new locations in Texas, Georgia, Florida and North Carolina, as well as open its first locations in Louisiana and Colorado in the year ahead, according to a news release. This is a 250% increase from 10 stores the company opened last year.

"The resiliency of the Jeremiah's concept has been clear throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, which has positioned us for even further growth in 2021," Nicole DiPietro, vice president of Jeremiah's Italian Ice, said in the release. "Our continued success has attracted a lot of new franchise partners, and we are eager to build on the momentum we built in 2020, and share our delicious Italian ice and soft ice cream with new communities across the country."

In addition to its increased growth projections for 2021, Jeremiah's Italian Ice said it will serve its products at eight different events at the Daytona International Speedway this coming year.

"We are always looking for new and exciting ways to enhance the fan experience at all the events we host here at World Center of Racing," Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile said in the release. "We already know about the delicious treats at Jeremiah's Italian Ice because they have a location at One Daytona, across the street from the speedway. They are a great addition to the already incredible lineup of food offerings and we are excited about the partnership."

To continue its growth momentum despite a national pandemic, Jeremiah's quickly pivoted to a virtual Discovery Day format in just under two weeks early 2020. This quick adaptation allowed the brand to award 20 new units in March and April of 2020 at the pandemic's onset, as well as to surpass its number of units awarded in the previous year. To help guide the brand's rapid expansion, Jeremiah's Italian Ice partnered with Pivotal Growth Partners, as well.

"Our ability to adapt our processes during COVID-19 has prepared us for further success in 2021," Cameron Cummins, Pivotal Growth Partners co-founder and Jeremiah's chief development officer, said in the release. "Throughout 2020, the Jeremiah's Italian Ice model continued to prove why it is a frozen force to be reckoned with in the QSR space, and that has positioned us for additional growth and development."

Jeremiah's Italian Ice awarded a total of 101 units across 35 franchisee groups in 2020. Jeremiah's has been able to continue its rapid growth pace by signing 21 multi-unit agreements throughout 2020. In addition to the 101 units awarded to franchisees, Jeremiah's also awarded an additional 162 units among six area representative groups, which will help the brand expand its presence in states including Louisiana, Georgia, and North Carolina, among others.

With more than 30 locations throughout Florida, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas, Jeremiah's is now offering franchises across the southern United States, with an initial focus on Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Arizona, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, New Mexico, Nevada, and Mississippi.