UNL Dairy Store
The UNL Dairy Store is a university-owned retail dairy operation in Lincoln, Nebraska, selling handmade ice cream, artisan cheeses, coffee, and gift boxes produced by UNL food science students. It serves local walk-in customers, nationwide online gift buyers, and community event planners.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1917
- HeadquartersLincoln, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What UNL Dairy Store does
UNL Dairy Store is an auxiliary enterprise of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, operating a single retail location at 1625 Arbor Dr. on the university's East Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska. Founded in 1917 as Varsity Dairy, the store produces and sells handmade ice cream, artisan cheeses (including proprietary Husker and Husker-N-Gold varieties developed at UNL), coffee drinks, and complementary items such as sandwiches, soups, and South American cheese puffs. Production is performed by UNL food science students in an on-site dairy plant that doubles as an educational facility, blending retail operations with academic instruction.
The business operates through multiple channels: walk-in retail at the East Campus store, an e-commerce storefront on the UNL Marketplace that ships cheese gift boxes and branded apparel nationwide, and an event-driven services arm offering ice cream push cart rentals, ice cream social catering, and mobile trailer appearances at community events such as Jazz in June, Celebrate Lincoln, and the Nebraska State Fair. Pricing is unit-based and low-ticket, ranging from $4.00 for a single scoop to $7.64 for a hand-packed pint, with gift boxes priced from $18.99 to $74.99 and event rentals at $100 plus a $75 delivery fee.
The store has no external investors or separate corporate registration; it is wholly owned and governed by UNL's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR). Marketing is conducted primarily through organic social media (Facebook, Twitter), an email newsletter (N-Sider), and community event presence. The Dairy Store is led operationally by Dairy Plant Manager Jonathan Hnosko, with the broader organization staffed at a headcount of 6 alongside student labor.
UNL Dairy Store firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UNL Dairy Store
- Legal name
- UNL Dairy Store (University of Nebraska–Lincoln Dairy Store)
- Website
- https://dairystore.unl.edu
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1917
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The UNL Dairy Store is a university-owned retail dairy operation in Lincoln, Nebraska, selling handmade ice cream, artisan cheeses, coffee, and gift boxes produced by UNL food science students. It serves local walk-in customers, nationwide online gift buyers, and community event planners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UNL Dairy Store industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Artisan Dairy Products
- NAICS
- Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (31152), Cheese Manufacturing (311513)
- SIC
- Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024), Dairy Products (2020)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dairy-Based Frozen Novelties Manufacturing (Bars, Sandwiches, Cones) (AFAHAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Ice Cream & Frozen Dairy Wholesale (AFAIAEAF)
Keywords
Where UNL Dairy Store is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lincoln
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
UNL Dairy Store business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Retail Ice Cream Sales: Walk-in retail sales of handmade ice cream, hard pack, soft serve, sundaes, shakes, and malts at the East Campus location with pricing from $4.00 for single scoop to $7.64 for hand-packed pint.
- Cheese Sales: Sales of handmade cheeses including Husker varieties, Sharp Cheddar, Smoke Cheddar, and New York Cheddar. Available for purchase in-store and online gift boxes.
- Coffee and Beverage Sales: Fresh-brewed coffee drinks including Cafe Latte, Cafe Mocha, Cappuccino, Espresso, Americano, Chai Latte, and Hot Chocolate. Prices range from $2.50 to $4.95.
- Apparel Sales: Branded apparel including t-shirts such as the Dairy Store 90th Anniversary T-Shirt ($20.00) and The Ice-Cream Capital of Nebraska T-Shirt.
- Gift Box Sales: Pre-curated and build-your-own gift boxes featuring premium cheeses and meats. Prices range from $18.99 for #1 Pioneer to $74.99 for #7 The Big Ten Conference Box.
- Event Catering Services: Ice cream push cart rentals ($100/event plus $75 delivery fee), ice cream social catering, and bulk ice cream orders for events. Ice cream socials include dishes, cones, spoons, and napkins.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single scoop/dish/cone pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Beverage pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Coffee drink pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift box pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Event catering pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Happy Hour pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
UNL Dairy Store product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UNL Dairy Store is a university-owned retail dairy operation that sells handmade ice cream, artisan cheeses, coffee drinks, lunch items, and gift boxes produced on-site by University of Nebraska-Lincoln food science students. It operates a physical retail storefront on East Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska, an online store with nationwide shipping via the UNL Marketplace, and event catering services including push cart rentals and ice cream socials.
Product overview
UNL Dairy Store is a traditional retail dairy operation offering handmade ice cream, cheeses, and complementary food items, established in 1917 as part of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The product portfolio centers on three core offerings: Ice Cream (in Big 10 core flavors plus seasonal varieties, sold by scoop, shake, sundae, or pint), Cheese (handmade varieties including Husker, Cheddar, and specialty flavors), and Coffee Drinks (espresso-based beverages). The store also operates an e-commerce platform via UNL Marketplace for gift boxes, apparel, and Build Your Own Box customization. Service offerings include event catering (push cart rental, ice cream socials), facility tours, and a lunch counter with sandwiches, soups, and South American cheese puffs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Handmade Ice Cream Handmade ice cream sold in single/double scoops, shakes, malts, sundaes, and hand-packed pints, available in Big 10 core flavors plus rotating seasonal and staff favorites. Targeted at retail consumers and event customers.
- Handmade Cheese Varieties Handmade cheeses including Husker (Monterey Jack style), Husker with Jalapeno, Husker-N-Gold (Colby blend), Husker with Tomato Basil, Husker with Spinach & Artichoke, Sharp Cheddar (aged 12+ months), Smoke Cheddar, and New York Cheddar. For retail consumers and gift box customers.
- Coffee Drinks Espresso-based beverages including Cafe Latte, Cafe Mocha, Cappuccino, Espresso, Americano, Milano, Hot Chocolate, and Chai Latte, available in multiple sizes including iced options. Targeted at walk-in retail customers.
- Pre-Curated Gift Boxes Pre-packaged gift boxes featuring premium cheeses and meats: Pioneer, Little Red, Herbie Husker, Cornhusker, Star City, Original Big 8, and Big Ten Conference Box, ranging from $18.99 to $74.99. For individual and corporate gift buyers nationwide.
- Build Your Own Cheese Box Customizable cheese gift box allowing customers to select their preferred cheese varieties for a personalized assortment, shipped nationwide through UNL Marketplace.
- Ice Cream Push Cart Rental Mobile ice cream cart rental service for events in Lincoln, featuring delivery/pickup, ice cream tubs (3 gallons for 35-40 people at $72), prepackaged cups at $4.00 each, and supplies for self-service.
- Ice Cream Social Catering Full-service ice cream social catering for events including dishes, cones, spoons, napkins, and toppings, staffed by the Dairy Store team. Targeted at event hosts, corporate events, weddings, and community gatherings.
- Ice Cream Trailer Appearances Mobile ice cream trailer serving at community events and festivals including Jazz in June, Celebrate Lincoln, Nebraska State Fair, and other local summer events around Lincoln.
- Branded Apparel Branded clothing items including the Dairy Store Scooper Trooper T-Shirt and The Ice-Cream Capital of Nebraska T-Shirt sold through the UNL Marketplace.
- Dairy Plant Facility Tours Guided tours of the on-site dairy plant for groups, demonstrating cheese-making processes, ice cream production, and the complete dairy product workflow. For school groups, community organizations, and visitors.
- Lunch Counter Items Fresh-made lunch counter items including sandwiches, wraps, salads, gourmet soups, and South American cheese puffs offered at the East Campus Dairy Store alongside dairy products.
Companies that use UNL Dairy Store
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
UNL Dairy Store technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
UNL Dairy Store partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- UNL MarketplacecoreInternal UNL e-commerce platform used for online sales of gift boxes, apparel, and build-your-own cheese boxes. The Dairy Store maintains a storefront on the UNL Marketplace with nationwide shipping capabilities.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
UNL Dairy Store competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Penn State Berkey Creamery: Penn State's on-campus creamery producing handmade ice cream, cheese, and dairy products with student involvement. Operates a retail store and online shipping, closely mirroring the UNL Dairy Store's university-affiliated, student-produced operating model and product mix.
- University of Wisconsin Babcock Hall Dairy: UW-Madison's campus dairy producing ice cream and cheese with student involvement in production. Operates a retail store and provides a near-identical model to UNL Dairy Store in terms of university affiliation, student labor, food science integration, and product offering.
- Graeter's: Regional specialty ice cream brand with strong regional loyalty, traditional small-batch production methods, and retail store presence. Comparable to UNL Dairy Store's emphasis on traditional handmade ice cream but operates at larger scale with broader regional distribution.
- Washington State University Creamery: WSU's campus creamery producing Cougar Gold cheese and Ferdinand's ice cream with student-made products. Operates a retail store with similar university-affiliated, student-produced model and direct-to-consumer focus as UNL Dairy Store.
- Iowa State University Dairy Store: Iowa State's campus dairy producing handmade ice cream and cheese with student involvement. Operates a retail location in Ames, Iowa, closely matching the UNL Dairy Store's Big Ten university-affiliated, student-produced operating model and geographic Midwest positioning.
- Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams: Specialty premium ice cream brand with retail scoop shops and nationwide shipping. Comparable handmade premium positioning and direct-to-consumer shipping model to UNL Dairy Store's online gift box business, but operates at significantly larger scale with national brand recognition.
- Michigan State University Dairy Store: MSU's on-campus dairy store producing ice cream, cheese, and other dairy products with student-produced goods. Operates a retail store and online ordering, directly comparable to UNL Dairy Store's Big Ten university-affiliated operating model, scale, and product mix.
Broad incumbents
- Tillamook: Major dairy brand producing cheese, ice cream, and other dairy products with strong regional identity (Oregon). Comparable traditional dairy focus and cheese expertise to UNL Dairy Store's Husker Cheese line, but operates at much larger scale with national distribution.
- Oberweis Dairy: Small regional dairy operation producing ice cream and milk with home delivery service. Comparable traditional handmade approach to dairy products with broader Midwest geographic reach, similar in scale to UNL Dairy Store.
- Blue Bell Creameries: Major regional ice cream manufacturer with strong brand recognition in the Midwest and beyond. Comparable product category to UNL Dairy Store but operates at significantly larger scale with extensive retail distribution and grocery store presence.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
UNL Dairy Store social profiles
Digital presenceUNL Dairy Store financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UNL Dairy Store leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
UNL Dairy Store funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UNL Dairy Store 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 UNL Dairy Store
What does UNL Dairy Store do?
UNL Dairy Store is a university-owned retail dairy operation that sells handmade ice cream, artisan cheeses, coffee drinks, lunch items, and gift boxes produced on-site by University of Nebraska-Lincoln food science students. It operates a physical retail storefront on East Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska, an online store with nationwide shipping via the UNL Marketplace, and event catering services including push cart rentals and ice cream socials.
Is UNL Dairy Store a public or private company?
UNL Dairy Store is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was UNL Dairy Store founded?
UNL Dairy Store was founded in 1917. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is UNL Dairy Store based?
UNL Dairy Store is headquartered in Lincoln, United States, in the North America region.
How does UNL Dairy Store make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Retail Ice Cream Sales are the primary driver. The others are cheese Sales, coffee and Beverage Sales, apparel Sales, gift Box Sales and event Catering Services.
Who are UNL Dairy Store's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Penn State Berkey Creamery, University of Wisconsin Babcock Hall Dairy, Graeter's, Washington State University Creamery, Iowa State University Dairy Store, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams and Michigan State University Dairy Store. Broad incumbents are Tillamook, Oberweis Dairy and Blue Bell Creameries.
Does UNL Dairy Store have an API?
No public API is recorded for UNL Dairy Store.
What industry is UNL Dairy Store in?
UNL Dairy Store's product category is Artisan Dairy Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAHAEAG, Dairy-Based Frozen Novelties Manufacturing (Bars, Sandwiches, Cones), with a secondary code of AFAIAEAF, Ice Cream & Frozen Dairy Wholesale. Its NAICS code is 31152 and its SIC code is 2024.