UNITED STATES
CREAM rising to the top CREAM stands for Cookies Rule Everything Around Me. It’s an evocative message when taken from the viewpoint of the sandwiched ice cream. It’s also an apt description for the continued expansion and success of the brand throughout the United States. While the first store was opened in Berkeley, California in 2010 the seeds of the brand were sown years earlier with a family growing up in the nearby suburb of Millbrae. “My mother would always be baking,” says one of CREAM’s founders Gus Shamieh. “We became known throughout the neighbourhood for my Mum’s famous ice cream sandwiches.” With the fantastic ethos of “serving happiness one ice cream sandwich at a time,” Gus, his sister and their parents opened CREAM with an appealing array of fresh-from-the-oven
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cookies and delicious, indulgent ice cream. Flavours like Cin-Ful Churro, Chocoholic and Banana Walnut Fudge quickly proved a hit, and the allure of the unique ice cream sandwiches was quickly spread by word of mouth. The success of this first venture encouraged the Shamieh family to think bigger and two years later they began to franchise the concept. By 2017 the chain had expanded into Colorado, Florida and Nevada. Despite the big moves the menu has remained true to the original concept. With approximately 20 ice cream varieties to choose from, customers have a choice of brownies, waffles and a donut-croissant hybrid (a ‘Do’sant’) to make their ice cream sandwich from.
Connection ISSUE ONE | 2019
Cones, sundaes, shakes and ice cream tacos round out the menu. Shamieh calls the taco “infamous,” and, with three ice cream flavours and two toppings in a freshly baked waffle cone, its no wonder the taco is a favourite. Such dessert delights have clearly been a recipe for success. Now, with 30 stores covering the nation from the sweltering south to the cooler climes of Anchorage in Alaska, CREAM is ruling more and more happy customers. The chain plans to open five more locations by the end of 2019, with a total of 50 scheduled for 2021. It’s a rapid expansion only possible due to the quality of its menu and the consistency of flavour and service. The company’s core principles; a dedication to quality, affordability, exceptional service and a congenial atmosphere; serve it well.