Polly Ann Ice Cream

What Polly Ann Ice Cream does

Polly Ann Ice Cream is a privately held, San Francisco-based artisanal ice cream parlor that has operated continuously since 1955. The company produces handcrafted ice cream in unique and Asian-inspired flavors (including Taro, Durian, Pistachio, Salted Caramel, and Coffee and Bourbon) using traditional methods, and sells primarily by the scoop, with the distinctive option to split a single scoop into two flavors. Its core product is supplemented by items such as the Brownie Sundae. The company distributes only through physical storefronts (its flagship at 3138 Noriega Street in Outer Sunset and a second location at 120 Pine Street in the Financial District, both operating 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM daily) and a Square-powered online ordering channel for takeout; there is no wholesale, no e-commerce shipping, and no third-party delivery integration evidenced in the source data.

The business runs a direct-to-consumer, one-time-transaction retail model with no subscription, contract, or recurring revenue layer. Pricing is not publicly disclosed on the website. Marketing is minimal and primarily organic: word-of-mouth, physical-store visibility near Golden Gate Park and in the Financial District, organic social media, and residual brand lift from a past feature on Anthony Bourdain's television program. Customers are individual consumers (local residents, tourists, beachgoers, Golden Gate Park visitors, and downtown office workers) rather than enterprise accounts, and the company explicitly addresses consumer decision fatigue through an interactive spin-wheel flavor selector.

The company is independently owned, with no disclosed parent, institutional investors, venture funding, M&A activity, leadership changes, partnerships, patents, certifications, or regulatory actions in the available data. Operational technology is intentionally minimal: Square for online ordering and Google Maps for directions are the only named integrations. Headcount is reported in the 11-50 band across the two storefronts, consistent with a small, owner-operated multi-site retail food business rather than a scaled franchise or chain.

Name

Polly Ann Ice Cream

Legal name

Polly Ann Ice Cream

Website

https://pollyann.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Polly Ann Ice Cream is a privately held San Francisco artisanal ice cream parlor, operating two storefronts since 1955 (Outer Sunset and Financial District), serving handcrafted ice cream in unique and Asian-inspired flavors to local residents, tourists, and downtown visitors via walk-in and Square-powered online takeout orders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts

NAICS

Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (31152), Other Specialty Food Retailers (44529)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Ice Cream & Gelato Shops (THAFAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Ice Cream & Refrigerated Desserts (CRADACAE)

Keywords

• Handcrafted ice cream
• Ice cream parlor
• Artisanal frozen desserts
• Asian-inspired flavors
• Dessert retail

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Retail Ice Cream Sales: Direct retail sales of handcrafted ice cream to consumers at physical storefront locations. Customers purchase single scoops or multiple scoops in-person. One-time transaction-based purchases. No subscription or recurring revenue model.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Polly Ann Ice Cream produces and retails handcrafted artisanal ice cream in unique and Asian-inspired flavors from two physical storefronts in San Francisco. Customers can purchase single or multiple scoops with the option to split a scoop between two flavors, and takeout orders are accepted online via Square. The business has operated continuously since 1955 in the Outer Sunset neighborhood and added a Financial District location in 2024.

Product overview

Polly Ann Ice Cream is a small ice cream parlor operating two San Francisco locations since 1955, offering handcrafted artisanal ice cream as its core product. The company provides ice cream in unique and Asian-inspired flavors, including options like Salted Caramel, Coffee and Bourbon, Taro, Durian, and Pistachio, with the distinctive feature of allowing customers to split a single scoop into two flavors. The product portfolio centers on the Handcrafted Ice Cream core offering, supported by specialty items like the Brownie Sundae and an online ordering service powered by Square for takeout operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Handcrafted Ice Cream Artisanal ice cream in unique and Asian-inspired flavors (including Taro, Durian, Pistachio, Salted Caramel, and Coffee and Bourbon), sold by the scoop at two San Francisco storefronts with the option to split a single scoop into two flavors. Targeted at individual consumers seeking distinctive dessert experiences.
• Brownie Sundae A dessert menu item combining brownie with ice cream, featured in product imagery on the About page and sold at the storefronts alongside handcrafted scoops.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Bi-Rite Creamery: San Francisco-based artisanal ice cream shop with multiple locations and a strong local brand. Most directly comparable peer: same city, same format (handcrafted scoops at retail storefronts), same target customer (SF residents and tourists seeking premium ice cream).
• Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams: Nationwide artisanal ice cream scoop shop chain with strong brand and packaged pint distribution. Comparable in craft positioning and experiential retail, but operates at significantly greater scale than Polly Ann.
• Humphry Slocombe: San Francisco artisanal ice cream maker known for unconventional flavors. Closely comparable to Polly Ann's Asian-inspired, boundary-pushing flavor philosophy and small-batch craft production model.
• Salt & Straw: Artisanal ice cream brand with multiple scoop shops across the West Coast and beyond, known for unusual small-batch flavors. Comparable to Polly Ann in craft positioning and flavor experimentation, though at much larger scale.
• McConnell's Fine Ice Creams: Santa Barbara-based artisanal ice cream maker with scoop shops and wholesale distribution. Comparable in small-batch craft production, heritage branding, and premium positioning.
• Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous: Small San Francisco artisanal ice cream maker with one location, known for unique flavors and craft production. Closely comparable to Polly Ann in scale, format, and Bay Area craft positioning.

Regional players

• Mitchell's Ice Cream: Long-running San Francisco Bay Area ice cream parlor chain with multiple locations and a similar heritage story to Polly Ann. Comparable in format and customer base, serving the same regional market.
• Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop: Iconic San Francisco chocolate and ice cream brand with retail locations, primarily serving tourists at Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Square. Comparable as a destination SF dessert experience targeting tourist traffic.

Broad incumbents

• Ben & Jerry's: Nationally recognized premium ice cream brand with scoop shops and grocery presence. Comparable in ice cream category and brand-driven positioning, but competes through mass-market distribution rather than artisanal craft.
• Häagen-Dazs: Global premium ice cream brand with retail scoop shops and grocery distribution. Comparable in ice cream category leadership but at vastly larger scale, primarily competing through packaged grocery and café channels rather than craft positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/pollyannicecream
• Facebookfacebook.com/pollyannicecream

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Polly Ann Ice Cream