Suzy's Swirl, LLC

What Suzy's Swirl, LLC does

Suzy's Swirl, LLC is a privately held, family-owned frozen dessert retailer operating two co-located storefronts in Lake County, Illinois (Lake Bluff inside Donati's Pizza; Lake Forest inside Duffers Pub), founded by Kathleen Wood and Joe Tierno in 2011 and opened to customers on August 4, 2012. Its core offering is customizable soft-serve frozen yogurt, ice cream, sorbetto, and gelato with unlimited topping combinations, supported by proprietary formulations developed with an artisan producer, a single-serve catering system, and the Suzy's Pies take-home product line. The business monetizes through per-cup in-store sales, online ordering via Toasttab, third-party delivery on UberEats, DoorDash, and ez-cater, in-store gift cards (Suzy Bucks), and episodic event catering for 10 to 10,000 guests. A retail packaged product line (Suzy's Swirl Frozen Happiness) is distributed through Compass Group beginning in 2018, and the company holds ACDBE, DBE, and WBE certifications supporting institutional procurement access. Customer segments are individual consumers and families in Lake County plus event hosts for catering, with community giving programs (Cups for a Cause, Big Joe Challenge, annual American Heart Association fundraising) functioning as a key brand and engagement driver.

Name

Suzy's Swirl, LLC

Legal name

Suzy's Swirl, LLC

Website

https://suzysswirl.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Suzy's Swirl, LLC is a family-owned frozen dessert retailer operating two co-located storefronts in Lake County, Illinois, serving customizable frozen yogurt, ice cream, sorbetto, and gelato to local consumers and event catering clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Frozen Dessert Retail

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

Frozen Yogurt Shops (THAFAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Soft-Serve & Custard Stands (THAFAGAC), Ice Cream & Gelato Shops (THAFAGAA), Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts Wholesale (AFAIAHAC)

Keywords

• Frozen yogurt shop
• Frozen dessert retail
• Soft serve ice cream
• Catering services
• Event dessert catering

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Bluff

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Retail Storefront Sales: In-store sales of frozen yogurt, ice cream, sorbetto, and gelato at two Lake County, Illinois locations. Customers customize orders with unlimited topping combinations. Transaction-based per-cup pricing with volume discounts available.
2. Online Ordering: Online orders placed through Toasttab platform for pickup at Lake Bluff location. Customers can order ahead for convenient fulfillment.
3. Third-Party Delivery: Delivery services through UberEats and DoorDash platforms, offering Edible Cookie Dough, Ice Cream Sandwiches, pints and quarts of craft flavors delivered to customer doorsteps.
4. Suzy Bucks Gift Cards: Physical gift cards sold in $10 increments with $5 denominations for in-store use only. Provides prepaid revenue and customer retention.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Buy a Heart Save a Heart donations supporting American Heart Association annual fundraising goals of $5,000. Community-driven giving program.
6. Catering and Events: Full-service catering for weddings, birthdays, corporate events, and gatherings. Options include single-serve bars, Suzy's Pies, and full-service setup. Accommodates 10 to 10,000 guests with pickup, drop-off, or complete service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Suzy's Swirl operates two retail storefronts in Lake County, Illinois, selling customizable soft-serve frozen yogurt, ice cream, sorbetto, and gelato with unlimited topping combinations. The company also provides frozen dessert catering services for events of 10 to 10,000 guests and offers third-party delivery of retail packaged items such as edible cookie dough, ice cream sandwiches, pints, and quarts.

Product overview

Suzy's Swirl is a frozen dessert retailer offering soft-serve frozen yogurt, ice cream, sorbetto, and gelato products through two Illinois locations (Lake Bluff and Lake Forest). The core offering centers on customizable frozen yogurt with unlimited topping combinations. The product portfolio includes a catering services division (Suzy's Catering and Events) providing single-serve frozen dessert bars for events of 10 to 10,000 guests, a delivery service through third-party platforms (Uber Eats, DoorDash, EZ Cater) offering edible cookie dough, ice cream sandwiches, and pints/quarts, and Suzy's Pies frozen take-home desserts. The company also maintains a retail product line (Suzy's Swirl Frozen Happiness) distributed through Compass Group. Additional offerings include Suzy Bucks gift cards and the Big Joe Challenge fundraising event benefiting the American Heart Association.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Big Joe Challenge: A fundraising challenge honoring Joe Tierno, where participants consume 64 ounces of yogurt and 8 ounces of toppings in 20 minutes or less to raise funds for the American Heart Association.

Products and services

• Frozen Yogurt Soft-serve frozen yogurt available in rotating flavors with unlimited topping combinations; the primary offering at both Lake Bluff and Lake Forest locations.
• Sorbetto Frozen fruit-based dairy-free dessert offered as an alternative to frozen yogurt in rotating flavors including Acai, Island Oasis, Nemo Orange, and Mango Dole Whip.
• Gelato Italian-style craft frozen dessert available in chocolate and vanilla at the Lake Forest location, produced through a partnership with an artisan producer.
• Suzy's Pies Frozen single-serve pies combining Suzy's frozen yogurt or gelato with a graham cracker or Oreo cookie crust and customer-selected toppings; serves approximately 6 people and ready in 30 minutes or less.
• Catering Services Full-service frozen dessert catering for weddings, birthdays, bar mitzvahs, baby showers, and corporate gatherings. Includes single-serve bars, Suzy's Pies, and complete setup service for events of 10 to 10,000 guests with pickup, drop-off, or on-site service options.
• Suzy Bucks Gift Cards Physical gift cards sold in $10 increments fulfilled in $5 Suzy Bucks denominations for in-store use only, functioning as the company's prepaid gifting mechanism.
• Frozen Happiness Retail Line Retail packaged frozen dessert products including craft yogurt, gelato, sorbetto, and Mega Ice Cream Sandwiches distributed through Compass Group for at-home consumption.

Quantifiable outcome

• $3,515 raised for American Heart Association in 2023 through community fundraising
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• TDN2K (Global Best Practices Conference)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Sponsored the premiere conference for restaurant and hospitality industry. Shared Cups with a Cause program at the Global Best Practices Conference.
• Compass GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018First distribution point for Suzy's Frozen Happiness retail product line launched in 2018. Compass Group, a major foodservice company, distributes Suzy's retail frozen dessert products.
• JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Annual JDRF Walk participant and supporter. Community partnership through fundraising events and donations.
• College of Lake CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Sponsor of Big Ideas entrepreneurial student competition. Donated over $2,000 since 2015 to help young entrepreneurs grow their ideas. Supports student innovation and business development.
• American Heart AssociationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Long-term charitable partnership through Big Joe Challenge (named after co-founder Joe Tierno who passed from heart failure) and annual Buy a Heart Save a Heart fundraiser. Raised $3,515 in 2023 with goal of $5,000 annually.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Partnership through Suzypalooza fundraiser supporting childhood cancer research. Hosts special edition swirl events featuring Alex's Lemonade flavors.
• No Kid HungrycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Supported through Suzypalooza fundraiser to help end childhood hunger. Partnership leverages frozen yogurt events to raise funds and awareness.
• Craig Stelz (Chicago Bears)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2013Chicago Bears player joined the team to support the Big Joe Super Challenge in 2013, providing celebrity endorsement for the fundraising event.
• White House (Women in Foodservice)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2013Kathleen took Suzy's Story to the White House to promote women in foodservice industry, gaining national visibility for the brand.
• Donati's PizzacoreOthersCo-location partner housing Suzy's Swirl Lake Bluff location inside Donati's Pizza restaurant at 209 Waukegan Rd.
• Duffers PubcoreOthersCo-location partner housing Suzy's Swirl Lake Forest location inside Duffers Pub at 950 N Western Ave.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• 16 Handles: Self-serve frozen yogurt concept with rotating flavors and toppings — same product category and customization mechanic as Suzy's Swirl, with a smaller but geographically distributed footprint.
• sweetfrog Premium Frozen Yogurt: Self-serve frozen yogurt franchise with toppings bar and rotating flavors. Closely mirrors Suzy's operating model while operating at greater scale across multiple U.S. states.
• Pinkberry: Premium frozen yogurt chain with rotating flavors and toppings bar. Comparable to Suzy's in offering a customizable froyo experience, though positioned at a higher price tier with brand-driven store design.
• Yogurtland: Self-serve frozen yogurt chain with rotating flavors and toppings, similar core product experience. National footprint and loyalty program set the competitive benchmark for independent operators like Suzy's.
• Menchie's Frozen Yogurt: Large self-serve frozen yogurt franchise offering rotating flavors and unlimited toppings — directly comparable model to Suzy's Swirl, scaled nationally with hundreds of locations.

Regional players

• Oberweis Dairy: Illinois-based ice cream and dairy producer with retail scoop shops. Comparable as a regional frozen dessert brand in the same Chicago-area geography, though distributed through grocery in addition to stores.

Emerging players

• Salt & Straw: Craft ice cream brand emphasizing small-batch, seasonal, and storytelling-driven flavors. Comparable to Suzy's premium craft positioning and willingness to differentiate through non-traditional flavor profiles.
• Insomnia Cookies: Late-night dessert delivery brand offering cookies, ice cream, and related treats. Comparable on delivery-channel-driven frozen dessert adjacency and catering/event offerings similar to Suzy's.

Broad incumbents

• Cold Stone Creamery: National ice cream chain offering customized mix-ins on a frozen granite stone — broader frozen dessert portfolio but overlapping customization mechanic and family/celebration use cases with Suzy's.
• TCBY (The Country's Best Yogurt): Pioneering frozen yogurt chain now offering broader frozen desserts including ice cream and sorbet. Larger, established player in the same category, with broader menu and franchise reach than Suzy's.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SuzysSwirl
• Facebookfacebook.com/SuzysSwirl
• Instagraminstagram.com/suzysswirl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Suzy's Swirl, LLC