Longford's Ice Cream

What Longford's Ice Cream does

Longford's Ice Cream is a small-batch, hand-crafted premium ice cream producer founded in 1992 by Nolan and Patricia West. The company manufactures ice cream, sorbet, gelato, and frozen yogurt in over 90 active SKUs (60+ ice cream, 30+ sorbet and gelato), with a vegan coconut-based line and a custom ice cream cake offering. Production uses a proprietary two-person technique in which variegates such as dulce de leche and chocolate fudge are hand-squeezed into ice cream as it exits the maker, and finished product is shipped in company freezer trucks on short turnaround from the Stamford, CT kitchen. Output is approximately three million scoops per year.

The business operates a hybrid go-to-market across three revenue streams: wholesale supply to the tri-state (NY/CT) hospitality industry in 2.5-gallon tubs and 5-quart containers; a brand-licensing program (no franchise fees, no royalties, $150K-$250K investment, one-time license fee) that has produced five independently owned scoop shops in Rye NY, Larchmont NY, Armonk NY, Greenwich CT, and Stamford CT; and direct-to-consumer sales through those scoop shops, a factory outlet in Stamford, a mobile scoop truck, and online cake ordering. Wholesale customers include fine-dining restaurants, private clubs, hotels, caterers, and a handful of third-party independent parlors. Marketing is concentrated in per-location Instagram accounts, the company website, and third-party delivery platforms (Uber, Grubhub at Rye), supplemented by media endorsements from The New York Times, Gannett, and the Culinary Institute of America's pastry chef.

Longford's is privately held, founder/owner-controlled, with Ralph Pietrafesa as President, and operates with an 11-50 employee base concentrated in the northeast US tri-state area. The company has accumulated 20+ industry awards, including over a decade of consecutive 'Best of Westchester' recognition from Westchester Magazine readers. No outside funding, M&A, or institutional investor involvement is disclosed.

Name

Longford's Ice Cream

Legal name

Longford's Ice Cream

Website

https://longfordsicecream.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Longford's Ice Cream is a Stamford, CT-based small-batch premium ice cream, sorbet, and gelato producer founded in 1992, serving tri-state (NY/CT) consumers through five licensed scoop shops, a mobile scoop truck, a factory outlet, and wholesale distribution to restaurants, clubs, hotels, and caterers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Ice Cream

NAICS

Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (31152), Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (311520), Frozen Cakes, Pies, and Other Pastries Manufacturing (311813)

SIC

Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024), Dairy Products (2020)

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)

Keywords

• Small batch ice cream
• Premium frozen desserts
• Handcrafted gelato sorbet
• Wholesale ice cream distribution
• Scoop shop licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Stamford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Licensed Scoop Shop Ownership: Longford's licenses its brand to independent operators who open scoop shops. Operators pay a one-time licensing fee and investment range of $150K-250K. Shops are independently owned and operated.
2. Retail Ice Cream Sales: Direct sales of ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt, custom cakes, and novelties at 5 scoop shop locations and a factory outlet. Also includes mobile scoop shop and catering/events.
3. Wholesale Distribution: Wholesale supply of ice cream, gelato, sorbet and frozen yogurt to the tri-state hospitality industry including restaurants, private clubs, caterers, hotels, and select ice cream parlors. Products sold in 2.5 gallon tubs (10 quarts) and 32 oz quarts for foodservice.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Longford's Ice Cream is a small batch, hand-crafted premium ice cream producer manufacturing over 60 ice cream flavors, 30+ sorbet and gelato flavors, frozen yogurt, custom ice cream cakes, and dairy-free options. The company distributes its products through 5 independently licensed scoop shops, a mobile scoop truck, a factory outlet, and wholesale supply to restaurants, country clubs, hotels, and caterers across the tri-state area, and licenses its brand to scoop shop operators.

Product overview

Longford's Ice Cream is a small batch ice cream producer established in 1992, offering a portfolio of hand-crafted frozen desserts including over 60 ice cream flavors, 30+ sorbet and gelato flavors, and frozen yogurt. The company operates through multiple channels: 5 independently owned scoop shop retail locations (Rye NY, Greenwich CT, Larchmont NY, Armonk NY, Stamford CT), a mobile scoop shop truck for events, a factory outlet in Stamford, and a wholesale program serving the tri-state hospitality industry with 2.5 gallon and 5-quart containers. Specialty offerings include custom ice cream cakes, frozen yogurt (Fryo), and vegan/dairy-free coconut-based options. The company also offers a scoop shop licensing program for entrepreneurs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ice Cream Small batch, hand-crafted premium ice cream available in over 60 rotating flavors, including seasonal favorites. Made with finest cream, imported vanilla, and premium ingredients, targeting both retail consumers and wholesale hospitality customers.
• Sorbet Fresh fruit sorbet and dairy-free options available in 30+ flavors including Black Currant, Blood Orange, Coconut, Mango, Passion Fruit, and Raspberry, sold in 5-quart containers for foodservice and at retail.
• Gelato Authentic Italian-style gelato offered in 5-quart containers featuring flavors such as Caramel, Chocolate, Nutella, Pistachio, and Tahitian Vanilla, sold to hospitality customers and at scoop shop retail.
• Frozen Yogurt (Fryo) Low-fat frozen yogurt options including Cappuccino Chunk Yogurt and Vanilla Chip Yogurt with active cultures, available to retail and wholesale customers.
• Ice Cream Cakes Stock ice cream cakes in 7-inch (serves 8-10) and 9-inch (serves 10-15) sizes, plus custom cakes in 10-inch (serves 15-20) and 12-inch (serves up to 30) with advance notice, for celebrations and events.
• Vegan/Dairy-Free Ice Cream Dairy-free coconut base ice cream options including Cookies and Cream and German Chocolate, sold in 10-pack format for retail and wholesale distribution.
• Mobile Scoop Shop Mobile ice cream truck available for event catering and parties, bookable through longfordsmobile.com for private events.
• Scoop Shop Licensing Program Licensing opportunity for entrepreneurs to open independently owned and operated scoop shops under the Longford's brand, with a $150K-250K investment range, one-time licensing fee, brand training, and ongoing support without franchise fees or royalties.
• Wholesale Distribution Bulk ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and frozen yogurt in 2.5 gallon (10 quart) tubs and 5-quart containers supplied to tri-state hospitality businesses including restaurants, private clubs, hotels, and caterers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3 million scoops served per year
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Restaurants (Tri-State Area)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLongford's supplies super premium ice cream, gelato, sorbet and frozen yogurt to fine dining restaurants throughout the tri-state hospitality industry. Products are served as signature desserts.
• Private Clubs (Tri-State Area)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLongford's serves exclusive private clubs with their award-winning frozen desserts, providing members with premium ice cream, gelato and sorbet options.
• Hotels (Tri-State Area)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLongford's provides ice cream and frozen desserts to tri-state hotels for room service, events, and dining establishments.
• Caterers (Tri-State Area)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLongford's supplies catering companies with premium frozen desserts for events, weddings, corporate functions and private parties.
• Select Ice Cream ParlorsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent ice cream parlors including Cookies n Cream (Bronxville, Yonkers, Queens), Cups N' Cones (Old Greenwich), Frannie's Goodie Shop (Mt Kisco, Chappaqua), and others serve Longford's products.
• Mobile Scoop Shop PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMobile scoop shop available for events and parties. Can book the ice cream truck or cart for private events.
• Uber and GrubhubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRye NY location is available on Uber and Grubhub for delivery and pickup orders, expanding reach to online ordering customers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Bassetts Ice Cream: Philadelphia-based heritage ice cream brand with a long-standing scoop shop and wholesale presence in the Mid-Atlantic. Comparable as a Northeast regional premium ice cream peer, though operating in a different geographic territory than Longford's tri-state focus.

Broad incumbents

• Wells Enterprises (Blue Bunny / Blue Ribbon Classics): Large U.S. ice cream manufacturer producing Blue Bunny and other premium and mainstream frozen dessert brands, supplying grocery and foodservice at national scale. Comparable as an ice cream manufacturer serving both retail and foodservice, though at a vastly different scale and brand portfolio breadth.
• Friendly's Ice Cream: Long-standing American restaurant and ice cream chain with a broad regional Northeast footprint. Comparable on ice cream category and dine-in scoop shop experience, though it operates a full-service restaurant model rather than Longford's licensed scoop shop approach.
• Ben & Jerry's: Unilever-owned super-premium ice cream brand with signature flavors, mix-ins, and a global scoop shop footprint. Comparable as a premium ice cream manufacturer and scoop-shop operator, though at vastly greater scale and brand reach than Longford's.
• Häagen-Dazs: Iconic super-premium ice cream brand owned by General Mills, sold across grocery, foodservice, and scoop shops globally. Comparable as a premium-positioned ice cream manufacturer with scoop-shop retail, but operates at significantly larger scale and broader distribution than Longford's.

Direct peers

• Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams: Direct-to-comparator premium artisanal ice cream brand known for small-batch production and distinctive flavors, operating company-owned scoop shops and wholesale. Highly comparable to Longford's on product positioning, small-batch craft process, and shop-plus-wholesale model.
• Graeter's Ice Cream: Family-owned, multi-generational premium ice cream maker using a small-batch French pot process, with scoop shops, wholesale, and grocery distribution. Highly comparable to Longford's on craft process, family ownership, and shop-plus-wholesale channel mix.
• Salt & Straw Ice Cream: Small-batch craft ice cream maker with a chef-driven, seasonal flavor program and scoop shop retail. Comparable to Longford's on hand-crafted production, premium ingredient focus, and signature/seasonal flavor innovation.
• Amy's Ice Creams: Texas-based premium ice cream brand with rotating flavors, signature mix-ins, and a strong scoop shop identity. Comparable to Longford's on small-batch craft production, novelty mix-ins, and shop-centric retail model.
• Van Leeuwen Ice Cream: Premium artisan ice cream brand with a focus on high-quality ingredients, vegan options, and a growing scoop shop and grocery footprint. Comparable to Longford's on premium positioning, craft production, and inclusion of dairy-free SKUs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/longfordsarmonk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/longfords-ice-cream-ltd

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 Longford's Ice Cream