CINCINNATI—Here’s the scoop—Graeter’s ice cream is going national.
Officials with the family owned Cincinnati company said Thursday they are moving ahead with plans to build a new plant to help production and distribution for new markets.
Graeter’s national profile has risen in recent years after praise by Oprah Winfrey and other celebrity fans, including “Sex and the City” star Sarah Jessica Parker and soap opera star Susan Lucci. The iconic Cincinnati brand dates to 1870.
The company uses a “French Pot” method that produces particularly thick ice cream, which comes in flavors such as black raspberry chip and butter pecan.
“Our goal is to bring the irresistible taste of Graeter’s ice cream to new friends through expanded distribution across the USA,” Richard Graeter, president and CEO, said in a statement. “This expansion means that we need additional capacity here in Cincinnati.”
The company expects to begin building the 28,000-square-foot, $11 million plant in April, pending finalization of local incentive packages and government approvals.
With stores and franchises around Ohio and Kentucky, Graeter’s last year launched sales in Colorado in King Soopers grocery stores, owned by Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. Kroger spokeswoman Meghan Glynn said there have been talks with Graeter’s on bringing the brand to Kroger-owned stores in Texas and into other markets.
“It has been successful in the Denver area and we know Graeter’s has fans across the country,” Glynn said.
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