Cold Stone Creamery, the fastest-growing ice cream franchise in the nation, plans two stores on Kaua’i, with the Waipouli, Kauai Village location expected to open in December. By the spring of next year, a Kukui Grove Center location should be
Cold Stone Creamery, the fastest-growing ice cream franchise in the nation, plans two stores on Kaua’i, with the Waipouli, Kauai Village location expected to open in December.
By the spring of next year, a Kukui Grove Center location should be operational, according to the Scottsdale, Ariz. home office and Kaua’i franchise holders Barbie and Don Taylor.
The franchise has over 285 stores in 31 states, and plans to have 1,000 stores by 2004.
Cold Stone Creamery has three stores on O’ahu, and they all rank in the top five or 10 highest-grossing stores in the nation.
Cold Stone Creamery’s culture is based on its ice cream, yogurt and Italian sorbet, all made daily in every store.
The products for sale are called “Creations,” with each blended to order on served on a frozen granite stone, with the customer’s choice of mix-ins.
The mix-ins include fresh-baked chocolate brownies, fruits and pie fillings, chocolate bars, sweet candies, cookies and nuts, and other selections.
Giant homemade waffle cones and bowls are also available.
Barbie and Don Taylor recently moved to Kaua’i from the San Francisco Bay Area, and have been awarded the franchise rights to the two Kaua’i stores.
“We have always been interested in owning our own business, along with a desire to live on Kaua’i,” said Barbie Taylor.
“Cold Stone Creamery emerged as the perfect fit: great-quality, super-premium ice cream, mix-ins, smoothies and ice cream treats, fantastic customer service, and a fun customer experience,” she said.
Consequently, the couple decided to leave the high-tech corporate world of telecommunications and finance, and moved the family to Kaua’i.
They plan to make Cold Stone Creamery a favorite place for both locals and tourists in Kaua’i.
“There is no limit to your ice cream choices at Cold Stone Creamery,” said Don Taylor. “Customers have the freedom to make any Creation they want. One of my favorites is the ‘Founders Favorite,’ made with sweet cream ice cream, caramel, fudge, brownies, and pecans, while Barbie enjoys ‘Strawberry Shortcake,’ made with sweet cream ice cream, strawberries, sponge cake and whipped cream.
“It truly is the ultimate ice cream experience, and we are happy to be able to offer this to the garden isle,” he said.
Each Cold Stone Creamery will employ about 20 people. Dramatic talent will be a plus to potential employees, the couple said, since workers are often encouraged by customers to perform special, ice cream-themed songs, chants, or dances.
The Cold Stone Creamery area developer for Hawai’i and owner of the Kihei store on Maui, Karen Kozen-Ryder, has identified 25 to 28 premiere locations across the state she expects will eventually host Cold Stone Creamery locations.
Cold Stone Creamery was developed by two ice cream lovers who dreamed of creating the perfect ice cream experience.
Specializing in providing “The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience,” Cold Stone Creamery begins handcrafting its secret recipe for super-premium ice cream, yogurt and sorbet, by making them fresh daily in each store daily.
Guests can then customize their ice cream with a variety of mix-ins including fruits, nuts and candies, all blended-to-order and served on a frozen granite stone.
For more information about Cold Stone Creamery, visit the company’s Web site, www.coldstonecreamery.com.
