Earnest Ice Cream

What Earnest Ice Cream does

Earnest Ice Cream is a Vancouver-based artisan ice cream producer founded in 2012 by co-founders Erica Bernardi and Ben, operating four company-owned scoop shops (Fraser St, Quebec St, Frances St, and North Van) along with a centralized production facility at 1485 Frances St in East Vancouver. The company's core product is handcrafted ice cream made from local, seasonal, organic, and fair-trade ingredients, offered in over 20 rotating flavors including a parallel vegan line built on coconut milk, oat-coconut blends, and house-made nut milks. Beyond scoop and pint sales at the four retail locations, the company distributes pints through more than 40 grocery retailers across Metro Vancouver (Nesters, Fresh St, Stong's, plus specialty grocers) and via online delivery partners Spud.ca and Legends Haul, while also serving event catering, an ice cream truck at farmers markets, gift cards, and branded merchandise.

The business model is a multi-channel consumer retail operation: in-store unit pricing ($6 single scoop, $8.40 double, $13 pint including a refundable $1 jar deposit), wholesale pint margins through grocery channels, event catering with 5L/11L self-scoop tubs ($88-$147), and a recurring jar-return loop that drives repeat visits. Its proprietary technology differentiators are operational rather than digital: it was the first ice cream company in Canada to pack pints in refillable glass jars with a $1 refundable deposit, recorded 254,977 jar returns in the most recent year, and powers its production facility with 100% renewable natural gas from Bullfrog Power under Climate Smart certification.

Customer segmentation is horizontal across consumers, event planners, and grocery channel partners; go-to-market is community-led and product-led, leveraging farmers markets, local events, donated scoops (12,192 in 2024), and a 1% of revenue donation program to seven named community organizations as brand-building infrastructure rather than as standalone revenue drivers. The company is privately held and bootstrapped, with no disclosed external funding and ownership remaining concentrated with the original co-founders.

Name

Earnest Ice Cream

Legal name

Earnest Ice Cream

Website

https://earnesticecream.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Earnest Ice Cream is a Vancouver artisan ice cream producer founded in 2012, operating four scoop shops and distributing pints through 40+ grocery retailers across Metro Vancouver, with a focus on local seasonal ingredients, refillable glass jar packaging, and community partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisan Ice Cream

NAICS

Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (311520)

SIC

Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024)

akta.pro primary industry

Ice Cream, Frozen Desserts & Novelties Manufacturing (AFAKAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ice Cream & Gelato Shops (THAFAGAA), Ice Cream & Refrigerated Desserts (CRADACAE), Ice Cream & Frozen Dairy Wholesale (AFAIAEAF)

Keywords

• Artisan ice cream
• Vegan frozen desserts
• Scoop shop retail
• Ice cream catering
• Refillable jar packaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Retail scoop shop sales: Direct in-store sales of scoops, pints, sundaes, and ice cream sandwiches at four Vancouver scoop shop locations and one North Vancouver location.
2. Event catering: Event catering services including scoop stands, self-scoop tub rentals, and ice cream sandwich orders for weddings, parties, and corporate events.
3. Farmers market and mobile truck sales: Mobile ice cream sales at Vancouver farmers markets and events via an ice cream truck.
4. Retail grocery distribution: Wholesale distribution of pints through over 40+ grocery retailers across Greater Vancouver, including Nesters Market, Fresh St Market, Stong's, and specialty grocers.
5. Online delivery: Online ordering and delivery through Spud.ca and Legends Haul grocery delivery platforms.
6. Gift cards and merchandise: Physical and digital gift cards sold at scoop shops and online; merchandise (hoodies, apparel) sold at scoop shops.
7. Donation program: Donates 1% of revenue to community organizations and causes aligned with environmental and social values.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Earnest Ice Cream manufactures and sells handcrafted artisan ice cream in scoops and pints at four Greater Vancouver scoop shops and through 40+ grocery retailers. The product line includes over 20 rotating flavours spanning traditional dairy and vegan bases (coconut milk, oat-coconut blend, house-made nut milks), packaged in refillable returnable glass jars, alongside sundaes, ice cream sandwiches (sammies), event catering (scoop stands, 5L/11L self-scoop tubs), gift cards, and branded merchandise. Production is concentrated at the Frances St facility powered by 100% renewable natural gas.

Product overview

Earnest Ice Cream is a Vancouver-based ice cream company founded in 2012, operating four scoop shop locations and a production facility. The core product offerings include handcrafted ice cream in scoops and pints featuring over 20 rotating flavours (both dairy-based and vegan), ice cream sandwiches (sammies) in multiple varieties, sundaes, and event catering services. The company also sells merchandise and gift cards. All ice cream is produced at their Frances St location in East Vancouver.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Artisan Ice Cream (Scoops and Pints) Handcrafted ice cream made with local, seasonal ingredients, available in scoops at four Vancouver scoop shops and in 500 mL refillable glass jar pints at retail prices of $13 each (includes a $1 refundable jar deposit). The line offers over 20 rotating flavours including both traditional dairy-based options and plant-based options.
• Vegan Ice Cream Plant-based ice cream range using coconut milk, oat milk, and house-made nut milks as bases, available in flavours such as Vegan Cookies + Cream, Vegan Raspberry, Vegan Blueberries & Cream, Vegan Toasted Coconut, Vegan Mango, and Vegan Key Lime Pie. Sold alongside dairy ice cream at scoop shops and grocery retail.
• Ice Cream Sandwiches (Sammies) Ice cream sandwiches featuring house-made cookies and cake, sold at scoop shops for $8 per sandwich. Offerings include Classic Sammie (vanilla with chocolate cake and fudge), Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Sammie, Coffee Toffee Sammie, Vegan Cookie Butter Sammie, and Vegan Turtles Sammie.
• Sundaes Pre-made sundae cups available at scoop shop locations, featuring ice cream with various toppings and sauces, priced at $8.15–$8.75 depending on size and style.
• Event Catering Catering service for weddings, corporate events, and private parties, including three offerings: Scoop Stand (2 hours of service, 3 flavours, minimum 100 guests at variable pricing), Self-Scoop tubs (5 L serving 25–30 scoops at $88; 11 L serving 50–60 scoops at $147), and Ice Cream Sammies for ready-to-eat events. Pickup-only ordering.
• Gift Cards Physical gift cards available at all four scoop shop locations and digital gift cards available online through Square for redemption across scoop shops and online orders.
• Branded Merchandise Branded apparel and merchandise including hoodies and other items, sold at all four scoop shop locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 254,977+ glass jars returned and reused in one year, eliminating equivalent packaging waste
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bullfrog PowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBullfrog Power provides 100% renewable natural gas to power Earnest Ice Cream's production kitchen at the Frances St facility, enabling carbon-neutral operations.
• Hives for HumanityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing community partnership supporting urban beekeeping and food security initiatives in Vancouver.
• East Van RoastersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing community partnership with a local social enterprise creating employment opportunities for people affected by the opioid crisis.
• QmunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership supporting Vancouver's queer resource centre and LGBTQ+ community programs.
• Rainbow RefugeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership supporting LGBTQ+ refugee sponsorship and settlement programs.
• Fresh to FamiliesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership supporting local food access and fresh produce distribution to families in need.
• Backpack BuddiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership supporting food-insecure children and families with weekend meal programs.
• Raven TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership supporting Indigenous-led conservation and education initiatives.
• Harmony PacificminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction company that built Earnest Ice Cream's Frances St production facility.
• Janks Design GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAward-winning interior design firm that designed the Quebec St scoop shop in the Olympic Village.
• Rachel AsheminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal artist who created custom artwork for the Fraser St scoop shop.
• Batard BakeryminorOthersLocal artisan bakery on Fraser St that supplies rye cookies used in Earnest Ice Cream's Salted Chocolate Rye Cookie flavor.
• Chasers JuiceminorOthersLocal juice supplier providing lemon juice and zest for the Fresh Lemon ice cream flavor.
• Mandair FarmscoreOthersFamily-run local farm supplying locally sourced raspberries and strawberries harvested at peak season for Earnest Ice Cream's Raspberry, Strawberry, Vegan Raspberry, and seasonal flavors.
• PonthierminorOthersSupplier of mango puree for Earnest Ice Cream's Vegan Mango flavor. Ponthier is described as an impact-driven company with a sustainability mission.
• AiyaminorOthersJapanese matcha green tea powder supplier from a family-owned and operated farm in Nishio, Japan, for 125 years. Aiya is dedicated to reforestation of mangrove and mahogany forests in Southeast Asia.
• Vancouver Island Sea Salt Co.minorOthersSupplier of sea salt used in Earnest Ice Cream's Salted Caramel flavor, sourced from Vancouver Island.
• Spud.caminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline grocery delivery platform that carries and delivers Earnest Ice Cream pints to customers in Greater Vancouver.
• Legends HaulminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGrocery delivery service that offers Earnest Ice Cream products for online ordering and delivery.
• Foglifter CoffeeminorOthersCoffee brand served at the Fraser St scoop shop, enhancing the customer experience at that location.
• LOCO BCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliation with LOCO BC (local economy advocacy organization) as part of Earnest's commitment to strengthening local food systems.
• Climate SmartminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimate Smart certification program that Earnest Ice Cream is affiliated with as part of its carbon-neutral operations and sustainability reporting.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Coolhaus: Architecturally branded artisan scoop shop and pint brand focused on unique flavor combinations and grocery/CPG distribution - a comparable premium craft peer with similar channel mix.
• Sweet Rose Creamery: Small-batch artisan scoop shop and pint producer with locally-sourced dairy and seasonal flavors, also distributing through grocery - directly comparable craft and retail model to Earnest.
• Salt & Straw: Multi-location artisan scoop shop chain operating its own production kitchens with a rotating, small-batch, locally-sourced flavor program and strong community/values branding - directly comparable operating model to Earnest Ice Cream at a larger US footprint.
• Van Leeuwen Ice Cream: Premium scoop shop and pint brand with own production, broad grocery distribution, and a notable vegan/cashew-milk range that parallels Earnest's plant-based emphasis and zero-waste-adjacent positioning.
• Ample Hills Creamery: Artisan scoop shop chain with on-site production, locally-sourced ingredients, and broad flavor innovation - comparable in craft, scale, and multi-channel retail distribution to Earnest.
• Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams: Premium artisan scoop shop and pint brand with its own central production, widely distributed through grocery and DTC, built on direct-sourced, seasonal ingredients - the closest US analog to Earnest's positioning and multi-channel model.

Regional players

• La Casa Gelato: Long-running Vancouver-based artisan gelato/ice cream shop with a famously broad flavor selection and tourist traffic - the closest direct local competitor to Earnest's scoop shops in the Vancouver market.
• Bella Gelateria: Vancouver-based artisan gelateria with award-winning craft positioning and multiple locations - competes directly for premium scoop shop traffic and on local retailer shelves in Greater Vancouver.

Broad incumbents

• Ben & Jerry's: Mass-market premium ice cream brand owned by Unilever, distributing pints nationally and operating franchised scoop shops - represents the scaled incumbent benchmark for pricing, distribution, and category leadership that Earnest competes against.
• Häagen-Dazs: Global premium ice cream brand with broad grocery distribution and scoop shop presence - the long-established premium incumbent that defines the upper pricing tier Earnest also targets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/EarnestIceCream
• Instagraminstagram.com/earnesticecream
• TikToktiktok.com/@earnesticecream
• Xx.com/Earnesticecream
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/earnest-ice-cream

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Earnest Ice Cream