Background & History

In the 1980s, Donald and Susan Sutherland being ice cream lovers themselves searched for an ice cream that was smooth and creamy. Having not found anything that fit their standards of quality, flavor, consistency and variety, they opened the first Cold Stone Creamery in Tempe, Arizona in 1988.

At each location, Cold Stone Creamery "crew" members handcraft ice cream fresh

Cold Stone Creamery was founded by Donald and Susan Sutherland in 1988 who sought ice cream that was neither hard-packed nor soft-served. It operates as an independently owned franchise system of ice-creameries headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. There are currently more than 900 stores across 47 states in the US, including Alaska and Hawaii, and in the Caribbean and Guam.

They also operate from over 25 countries in addition to 10 other countries where they operate through their franchisees.

In 2007, Kahala Brands acquired Cold Stone Creamery.

Kahala Brands is a family of brands that aims to provide its customers with a memorable and comfortable in-store experience with the best in customer service by utilizing fresh and quality ingredients.

Kahala Brands' vision is to be the largest franchise company in the world by being the best franchisor in the industry. It currently owns a portfoilio of 14 brands including that of Cold Stone Creamery.

daily. Customers can choose their "creations" from an assortment of flavors and mix-ins, which the crew blends to order on a granite stone. Serving sizes range from the size of a tennis ball to the size of a softball and are called "Like It," "Love It," and "Gotta Have It."