Mister Softee China
Mister Softee Inc. is a family-owned U.S. franchisor of mobile soft ice cream trucks, founded in 1956 and headquartered in New Jersey. It licenses approximately 625 trucks operated by 350 franchisees across 18 states, and sells branded merchandise through an online store to consumers and event hosts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1956
- HeadquartersRunnemede, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Mister Softee China does
Mister Softee Inc. is a privately held, family-owned franchisor of mobile soft ice cream trucks, headquartered in Runnemede, New Jersey. Founded in 1956 by William and James Conway in Philadelphia, the company pioneered the mobile soft-serve format and has operated continuously under Conway family ownership, currently co-owned by cousins Jim Conway Jr. and John Conway. It is positioned as America's oldest and largest franchiser of soft ice cream trucks, with approximately 625 franchised trucks operated by 350 independent franchisees across 18 U.S. states.
The company's core product is the branded mobile soft ice cream truck, supported by an iOS and Android application that enables consumers to locate trucks and receive notifications, and a direct e-commerce storefront selling branded merchandise including apparel, accessories, and collectibles. Distribution operates through franchisee-owned trucks serving neighborhoods and events, fixed retail stands in select markets, an online merchandise store, and party/catering bookings routed to local franchisees. Revenue is generated from franchise fees and royalties, sale of trucks/parts/supplies to franchisees, and direct merchandise sales through the online store.
The business model is asset-light at the parent level: Mister Softee Inc. monetizes a brand asset through licensing, supply chain capture, and franchise services rather than direct retail operations. Customer segments span individual consumers and families (direct truck sales and merchandise), event hosts and party planners (catering bookings), and aspiring franchise entrepreneurs (franchise sales). The company has remained privately held with no disclosed institutional funding or external investors, and reports no subsidiaries or material M&A activity.
Mister Softee China firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mister Softee China
- Legal name
- Mister Softee Inc.
- Website
- https://mistersoftee.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1956
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Mister Softee Inc. is a family-owned U.S. franchisor of mobile soft ice cream trucks, founded in 1956 and headquartered in New Jersey. It licenses approximately 625 trucks operated by 350 franchisees across 18 states, and sells branded merchandise through an online store to consumers and event hosts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mister Softee China industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile Ice Cream Franchise
- NAICS
- Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (31152)
- SIC
- Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024), Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mobile Dessert Vendors (Ice Cream/Dessert Trucks & Carts) (THAFAHAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Soft-Serve & Custard Stands (THAFAGAC), Soft-Serve Ice Cream Mix Manufacturing (AFAHAEAB)
Keywords
Where Mister Softee China is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Runnemede
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Mister Softee China business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Franchise Fees and Royalties: Mister Softee generates revenue through franchise relationships, providing franchisees with brand rights, training, supplies, and operational support in exchange for franchise fees and ongoing royalties
- Merchandise Sales: Direct e-commerce sales of branded merchandise including apparel, toys, and accessories through the online store. Products include t-shirts, hoodies, truck banks, musical trucks, beach towels, and bags
- Truck and Supply Sales: Sale of ice cream trucks, parts, and supplies to franchisees through the franchise program
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Apparel items (face masks, shirts, hoodies) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Toys and collectibles |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mister Softee Beach Towel |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Mister Softee China product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mister Softee is America's oldest and largest franchiser of soft ice cream trucks, founded in 1956. The company operates a franchise model with approximately 625 mobile soft ice cream trucks across 18 states, sold and operated by 350 independent franchisees. In addition to core ice cream sales, the company sells branded merchandise (apparel, toys, accessories) via an online store and offers party and catering services for corporate events, fairs, birthday parties, and fundraisers.
Product overview
Mister Softee is America's oldest and largest franchisee of soft ice cream trucks, founded in 1956, with approximately 625 franchised trucks operating in 18 states. The company offers three main product/service lines: (1) Core soft ice cream truck franchise operations with mobile trucks available for parties and catering events, (2) An official mobile application for iOS and Android enabling customers to locate trucks and receive notifications, and (3) An e-commerce online store selling branded merchandise including apparel (T-shirts, hoodies, collared shirts, onesies), accessories (face masks, canvas tote bags, beach towels), and collectible toys (Musical Truck, Truck Bank). The company is headquartered in Runnemede, New Jersey and remains family-owned by the Conway family.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mister Softee Mobile App
Companies that use Mister Softee China
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Mister Softee China technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Mister Softee China partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Mister Softee China competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Dairy Queen: Dairy Queen is the dominant soft-serve ice cream QSR brand in the U.S., serving Mister Softee's core product (soft serve) at scale via a brick-and-mortar franchise system. Comparable on product category and franchise model, but operates in fixed retail rather than mobile.
- Friendly's: Friendly's is a long-established U.S. casual-dining chain built around ice cream desserts. Comparable as a heritage American ice cream brand targeting families, though distributed through sit-down restaurants.
- Cold Stone Creamery: Cold Stone is a national franchised ice cream chain specializing in premium hand-mixed ice cream. Comparable on franchise-distributed frozen dessert retail and consumer positioning, though it uses a storefront rather than mobile model.
- Häagen-Dazs Shops: Häagen-Dazs Shops are premium franchised ice cream parlors operated globally. Comparable premium-positioned ice cream brand competing for the same family/impulse dessert occasion Mister Softee targets.
Direct peers
- Carvel: Carvel is a franchisor of soft-serve and ice cream cake shops across the U.S. It is the closest direct competitor to Mister Softee in soft-serve ice cream, with a similar franchise-based model and product focus.
- Bruster's Real Ice Cream: Bruster's is a U.S. franchise chain selling premium hand-dipped and soft-serve ice cream from walk-in stores. Overlaps directly with Mister Softee in soft-serve product and franchise structure, but with brick-and-mortar distribution.
- Rita's Italian Ice: Rita's is a U.S. franchise system selling Italian ice, frozen custard and gelati. It competes with Mister Softee for the same impulse/dessert occasion and shares a similar franchise model targeting warm-weather consumption.
Emerging players
- Snowie: Snowie is a U.S. franchisor of mobile shaved-ice and frozen-dessert carts/trucks. Directly comparable mobile-dessert franchise business model, though focused on shaved ice rather than soft serve.
- Tropical Sno: Tropical Sno is a U.S. franchise of mobile shaved-ice and dessert stands. Comparable in mobile/frozen-dessert franchising model and warm-weather seasonality, serving a similar impulse consumer occasion.
Regional players
- Graeter's: Graeter's is a heritage American ice cream brand with a small franchise footprint concentrated in the Midwest. Comparable as a long-established, family-rooted premium ice cream brand, though operating stores rather than trucks.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Mister Softee China social profiles
Digital presenceMister Softee China financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mister Softee China leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Mister Softee China funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mister Softee China M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Mister Softee China
What does Mister Softee China do?
Mister Softee is America's oldest and largest franchiser of soft ice cream trucks, founded in 1956. The company operates a franchise model with approximately 625 mobile soft ice cream trucks across 18 states, sold and operated by 350 independent franchisees. In addition to core ice cream sales, the company sells branded merchandise (apparel, toys, accessories) via an online store and offers party and catering services for corporate events, fairs, birthday parties, and fundraisers.
Is Mister Softee China a public or private company?
Mister Softee China is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Mister Softee China founded?
Mister Softee China was founded in 1956. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Mister Softee China based?
Mister Softee China is headquartered in Runnemede, United States, in the North America region.
How does Mister Softee China make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Franchise Fees and Royalties are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales and truck and Supply Sales.
Who are Mister Softee China's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Dairy Queen, Friendly's, Cold Stone Creamery and Häagen-Dazs Shops. Direct peers are Carvel, Bruster's Real Ice Cream and Rita's Italian Ice. Emerging players are Snowie and Tropical Sno. Graeter's is listed as a regional player.
Does Mister Softee China have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mister Softee China.
What industry is Mister Softee China in?
Mister Softee China's product category is Mobile Ice Cream Franchise. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFAHAG, Mobile Dessert Vendors (Ice Cream/Dessert Trucks & Carts), with a secondary code of THAFAGAC, Soft-Serve & Custard Stands. Its NAICS code is 31152 and its SIC code is 2024.