Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

What Van Leeuwen Ice Cream does

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is a US-based premium ice cream company founded in 2008 in Brooklyn, New York by brothers Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen and Laura O'Neill. The company produces French-style ice cream formulated with twice the egg yolks of standard recipes and built around high-end ingredients such as Madagascar bourbon vanilla, Sicilian pistachios certified by the International Slow Food Institute, and Oregon strawberries. Its core product portfolio includes over 30 rotating classic ice cream flavors in pints, 11 permanent vegan varieties built on oat milk, cashew milk, and coconut cream bases, premium chocolate-coated ice cream bars, ice cream sandwiches, curated shipping bundles, and party packs for events. Manufacturing is anchored by a Research & Development kitchen in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, led by co-founder Ben Van Leeuwen.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market model. Direct-to-consumer distribution runs through over 100 company-owned scoop shops across 14 US states (with New York and California as the deepest markets), an e-commerce channel with nationwide insulated shipping at a $60 order minimum, and local delivery through third-party platforms in cities with scoop shop presence. Wholesale distribution reaches more than 10,000 retail channels including Whole Foods and Sprouts. International expansion is being executed via a master franchise agreement signed in 2026 with A Twosome Place, a Carlyle Group-owned Korean cafe operator, targeting 300 new ice cream shops in South Korea over the next decade. The brand is positioned as a lifestyle symbol supported by a celebrity following (Sabrina Carpenter, Kylie Jenner, Ed Sheeran), recurring cultural-event partnerships (US Open with American Express in its third year), and a steady cadence of co-branded limited-edition launches with Melissa & Doug, King's Hawaiian, Guinness, and Rula. The company is privately held and founder-controlled, with approximately $22.6M raised across two disclosed funding rounds in 2018 and 2020.

Name

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

Legal name

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream LLC

Website

https://vanleeuwenicecream.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is a Brooklyn-founded premium ice cream maker producing French-style ice cream and vegan varieties, selling through 100+ company-owned scoop shops across 14 US states, 10,000+ grocery retail channels, nationwide e-commerce, and a newly launched Korean master franchise with A Twosome Place.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Ice Cream

NAICS

Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (311520), Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (31152)

SIC

Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024)

akta.pro primary industry

Ice Cream, Frozen Desserts & Novelties Manufacturing (AFAKAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ice Cream & Refrigerated Desserts (CRADACAE), Ice Cream & Gelato Shops (THAFAGAA), Plant-Based Frozen Desserts Processing (Non-Dairy Ice Cream, Gelato, Novelties) (AFAHAJAE)

Keywords

• Premium ice cream
• French-style ice cream
• Vegan ice cream
• Artisanal frozen desserts
• Ice cream scoop shops

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Scoop Shop Sales: Company-owned retail scoop shops serving ice cream directly to consumers. Located across multiple US states including New York, California, Texas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Massachusetts, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and Illinois.
2. Grocery Retail Distribution: Distribution through more than 10,000 retail channels including Whole Foods, Sprouts, and other grocery chains. Products sold include pints and ice cream bars.
3. E-commerce and Nationwide Shipping: Direct online ordering with nationwide shipping. Orders require $60 minimum and use insulated packaging with dry ice. Flat-rate shipping based on destination state.
4. Local Delivery: Local delivery through delivery platforms in cities with scoop shop presence.
5. International Franchise Royalties: Master franchise agreement with A Twosome Place for Korea expansion, targeting 300 new shops over a decade.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream manufactures and sells premium French-style ice cream made with twice the egg yolks of standard recipes, using ingredients such as Madagascar bourbon vanilla, Sicilian pistachios, and Oregon strawberries. Its product portfolio spans dairy ice cream pints, plant-based vegan ice cream (oat, coconut, and cashew milk bases), ice cream bars, ice cream sandwiches, and curated bundles, sold through company-owned scoop shops, grocery retail partners, e-commerce shipping, and a growing international franchise footprint.

Product overview

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is a New York-born premium ice cream company founded in 2008, offering French-style ice cream made with twice the egg yolks of standard recipes. The product portfolio centers on Classic Ice Cream pints (30+ rotating flavors like Honeycomb, Cookies & Cream, Sicilian Pistachio), Vegan Ice Cream pints (11 plant-based flavors using oat/cashew milk), Ice Cream Bars (coated in milk chocolate), Ice Cream Sandwiches (cookies with ice cream filling), and Ice Cream Bundles for shipping. The company operates over 100 company-owned scoop shops across 14 US states and distributes through 10,000+ retail channels. Additional offerings include Party Packs for events (serving 10-12 people), Events & Catering with mobile trucks/carts, Local Delivery through third-party platforms, and branded merchandise including cookbooks, Van Loot Coins, apparel, and hats. The company has expanded internationally with franchise partnerships in South Korea.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Classic Ice Cream French-style ice cream made with twice the egg yolks of standard ice cream, featuring premium ingredients like Madagascar bourbon vanilla. Available in pints in over 30 rotating flavors including Honeycomb, Cookies & Cream, Earl Grey Tea, and Sicilian Pistachio for individual consumers seeking premium-quality ice cream.
• Vegan Ice Cream Plant-based ice cream made with oat milk, cashew milk, and coconut cream bases. Features 11 permanent flavors including Vegan Sicilian Pistachio, Vegan Cookies & Cream Caramel Swirl, and Vegan Banana Bread Pudding with Fudge Swirls. All vegan flavors contain tree nuts and target vegans and dairy-free consumers who do not want to compromise on taste or quality.
• Ice Cream Bars Premium ice cream bars coated in milk chocolate with various toppings. Includes Toffee Brown Sugar (brown sugar ice cream with toffee pieces) and Vanilla Caramel Swirl varieties, plus vegan bar options like Vegan Brown Sugar Honeycomb and Vegan Triple Chocolate Swirl for individual consumer snack and on-the-go consumption.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 company-owned scoop shops and 10,000+ retail channels
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Melissa & DougminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 June 2026Limited edition collaboration launching ice cream-themed wooden pretend-play sets for summer coinciding with National Ice Cream Month. Includes Scoop Shop Ice Cream Counter Play Set (29 pieces), Scoop Pack Ice Cream Play Set, and special Berry Good Imagination flavor at select locations in NY, NJ, CT, and PA.
• RulaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026Launched 'Therapy in a Pint' collaboration for Mental Health Awareness Month. First-ever 'empty' pint containing QR code redeemable for therapy session instead of ice cream. Bundle available at select scoop shops nationwide for $7.95. Collaboration addresses mental health care gap.
• A Twosome PlacecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2026Master franchise agreement signed for Korea expansion. A Twosome Place is a Korea-based cafe operator owned by Carlyle Group. Plans to open first store near Gangnam Station on July 3, 2026, with target of 300 new ice cream shops over next decade. Will create custom flavors for Korean market.
• King's HawaiianminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Limited-time Ube Coconut frozen treats collaboration. Purple-hued ice cream and ice cream sandwiches made with King's Hawaiian Ube Coconut Sweet Rolls. Available exclusively at Van Leeuwen scoop shops.
• GuinnessminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 July 2025Launched 'Lovely Day for a Guinness' limited-edition ice cream blending Guinness flavor with ice cream. Included sampling events across US and $20,000 donation to Surfrider Foundation.
• American ExpressminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 August 2024Limited-edition ice cream flavor and pop-up truck collaboration at US Open tennis tournament. Third year of US Open partnership continuing into 2025.
• Kraft Macaroni & CheeseminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 July 2024Brand collaboration creating ice cream innovation leveraging the Kraft brand for buzz and audience expansion.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams: Premium scoop shop and pint ice cream brand with direct overlap in product positioning (artisanal, ingredient-forward), retail channel mix (scoop shops + grocery + online), and target consumer (lifestyle-conscious, premium buyers).
• Salt & Straw Ice Cream: Direct premium ice cream competitor operating scoop shops plus grocery pint distribution, with a similarly innovation-heavy flavor rotation and aspirational/lifestyle brand positioning.
• Talenti Gelato: Premium gelato and ice cream sold primarily through grocery retail channels; competes head-to-head in pint distribution at similar price points, including vegan and flavor-innovation SKUs.
• McConnell's Fine Ice Creams: California-based premium ice cream maker with scoop shop and grocery presence; comparable on ingredient-quality positioning, craft brand narrative, and direct-to-consumer shipping.
• Coolhaus: Premium architecturally-branded ice cream sold via scoop trucks, retail, and grocery — comparable in creative-flavor and lifestyle-brand positioning, though at smaller scale.

Broad incumbents

• Ben & Jerry's: Iconic Unilever-owned premium ice cream brand with deep grocery distribution, dedicated scoop shops, and a flavor innovation pipeline — overlapping with Van Leeuwen on product, channel, and consumer, but at significantly larger scale.
• Häagen-Dazs: Nestlé-owned super-premium ice cream brand with global scoop shop and retail footprint; competes on the premium tier and provides scale benchmarks for retail distribution and pricing.
• Tillamook: Farmer-owned dairy brand with a growing premium ice cream line; competes via grocery distribution, ingredient-quality positioning, and an expanding national footprint.

Regional players

• Van Leeuwen Distribution Partner — A Twosome Place: Korea's Carlyle-backed cafe chain and Van Leeuwen's master franchise partner — relevant as the channel through which Van Leeuwen's brand enters APAC, but operates complementary rather than competitive offerings.

Others

• Blue Star Donuts / Other Premium Lifestyle F&B Brands: Premium lifestyle-adjacent food and beverage brands with comparable celebrity-driven, Instagram-first marketing playbooks — useful as a brand-equity comparable even though not directly in ice cream.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/vanleeuwenicecream
• Instagraminstagram.com/vanleeuwenicecream
• TikToktiktok.com/@vanleeuwenicecream
• Xx.com/vlaic

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Van Leeuwen Ice Cream