Hospitality remains at the forefront for Handel's, with the company maintaining its emphasis on this crucial aspect.
In the heart of Youngstown, Ohio, Handel's Homemade Ice Cream, founded in 1945, continues to serve up scoops of deliciousness with a side of warm hospitality. The brand, known for its extensive menu of ice cream flavors, has been thriving for decades, and its success can be attributed to a focus on human connection rather than technology.
Jennifer Schuler, the CEO of Handel's Homemade Ice Cream, explained in a podcast episode of A Deeper Dive, that while some technology can be useful behind the scenes, too much can "write us to death" in the restaurant and cause the brand to miss meaningful guest interactions. Guests primarily come for the personal connection and hospitality, so Handel's focuses on that rather than on digital ordering apps or kiosks.
This focus on hospitality contributes to a brand's success by creating a deeper connection with customers, making their experience memorable and emotionally satisfying, which encourages loyalty and repeat visits. Brands that thrive often do so because they excel in human connection alongside product quality.
Despite not having its own mobile app, Handel's Homemade Ice Cream has found a balance between hospitality and modern convenience. Customers can still order their ice cream conveniently through third-party delivery services like UberEats in some locations.
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream is a franchise business that trains its franchisees to make ice cream on site. The brand has been franchising for decades, and this hands-on approach ensures consistency in quality and experience across all locations.
The podcast A Deeper Dive, hosted by a longtime industry journalist with a focus on quick-service restaurants, provides insights into the strategies of Handel's Homemade Ice Cream brand. The conversation in the podcast features Jennifer Schuler, CEO of Handel's Homemade Ice Cream, discussing the importance of hospitality in the ice cream business.
Subscriptions to Restaurant Business provide exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all content. For those interested in learning more about Handel's Homemade Ice Cream and its approach to business, A Deeper Dive is available for subscriptions on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Last year, Handel's Homemade Ice Cream saw a significant increase in sales, with a 38% rise. Although the podcast does not provide information on the financial performance of Handel's Homemade Ice Cream, the rise in sales is a testament to the brand's successful strategy.
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream is not associated with Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn, and the podcast episode does not discuss any association with these platforms. The brand's commitment to hospitality extends to its digital presence, choosing to prioritise human connection over social media engagement.
In a competitive market where over-reliance on technology can sometimes make experiences feel impersonal, Handel's Homemade Ice Cream stands out as a brand that values human connection above all else. Its success serves as a reminder that in business, hospitality can be just as important as product quality.
- The podcast A Deeper Dive, which focuses on quick-service restaurants, delves into the strategies of Handel's Homemade Ice Cream, highlighting its CEO, Jennifer Schuler, discussing the importance of hospitality in the ice cream business.
- Despite not having a mobile app, Handel's Homemade Ice Cream harmonizes hospitality with modern convenience, allowing customers to order through third-party delivery services like UberEats in some locations.
- The brand's franchising model, which trains franchisees to make ice cream on-site, ensures consistency in quality and experience, contributing to Handel's Homemade Ice Cream's success in the food-and-drink business and lifestyle industry.
