Sebastian Joe's

What Sebastian Joe's does

Sebastian Joe's is an independent, family-owned artisanal ice cream company founded in 1984 by three Italian brothers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, named after their grandfather Sebastiano who immigrated from Italy in 1920. The company operates three company-owned scoop shop locations in Minneapolis neighborhoods — Lowry Hill (1007 W Franklin Ave), Linden Hills (4321 Upton Ave S, open since 1984), and Kingfield (4301 Nicollet Ave S, opened 2024) — where customers purchase hand-crafted ice cream, coffee, baked treats, and novelty items directly. Production is centered on small-batch daily ice cream making using natural ingredients, a portfolio of seven signature flavors (Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Chocolate, Pavarotti, Salty Caramel, Vanilla, Oreo, Nicollet Avenue Pothole) complemented by 100+ rotating and seasonal flavors, plus a vegan line, hand-roasted 16 lb batches of single-origin Arabica coffee weekly at Lowry Hill, and baked goods from generational recipes.

The company's go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer retail across three scoop shops with wholesale distribution to more than 20 Minneapolis-area restaurants, hotels, golf clubs, and venues (including Minnesota Zoo, Can Can Wonderland, Gianni's Steakhouse, Parkway Pizza, CRAVE, and Firelake Grill at Radisson Blu), plus a small e-commerce storefront on Square for online ordering of pints, quarts, cakes, and gift cards. Revenue streams are entirely transactional — unit-priced retail sales at the scoop shops, wholesale bulk ice cream to hospitality partners, online orders, and cake/catering orders — with no subscription, licensing, or recurring-revenue components disclosed. The company is privately held by three brothers (Mike, Todd, Tim), employs 11-50 staff with some tenured for nearly 20 years, has no institutional funding, and operates exclusively within the Twin Cities geography, making it a classic lifestyle/lifestyle-scale independent craft food business rather than a venture-backed growth operator.

Name

Sebastian Joe's

Legal name

Sebastian Joe's

Website

https://sebastianjoesicecream.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sebastian Joe's is a family-owned artisanal ice cream company founded in 1984 in Minneapolis, operating three scoop shops and distributing wholesale to 20+ local restaurants and venues, serving Minneapolis consumers with handcrafted ice cream, hand-roasted coffee, and baked goods.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisanal Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts

NAICS

Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (311520), Retail Bakeries (311811), Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (31152)

SIC

Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024), Retail-Eating Places (5812), Bakery Products (2050)

akta.pro primary industry

Ice Cream & Gelato Shops (THAFAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dessert Cafes (Coffee + Desserts) (THAFADAH), Cafe-Bakeries (Bakery + Coffee/Foodservice) (THAFAFAG), Soft-Serve Ice Cream Mix Manufacturing (AFAHAEAB)

Keywords

• Handcrafted ice cream
• Specialty coffee roasting
• Artisanal baked goods
• Scoop shop retail
• Wholesale ice cream distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retail Ice Cream Sales: Direct sales of handcrafted ice cream to consumers at three scoop shop locations in Minneapolis. Includes signature flavors, seasonal rotations, sundaes, shakes, malts, and hand-made ice cream sandwiches.
2. Fresh Roasted Coffee Sales: Sales of freshly roasted whole bean Arabica coffee, including signature blends (Dark Dancer, Trolley Tycoon, Saturday Streetcar, Three Brothers Blend) and single origin varieties (Ethiopian, Colombian). Sold online and in-store.
3. Baked Goods and Treats: Fresh baked treats including scones, dessert bars, chocolate filled croissants, cookies, muffins, popovers, and handmade waffle cones made daily at scoop shop locations.
4. Wholesale Distribution: Bulk ice cream distribution to partner restaurants, venues, and hospitality locations including Minnesota Zoo, Can Can Wonderland, and various restaurants throughout Minneapolis.
5. Catering and Special Orders: Cake orders, bulk ice cream orders, and catering requests for events. Ice cream pints, quarts, pies and sandwiches available for pickup. Custom flavor orders accommodated when possible.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Sebastian Joe's is an independent, family-run ice cream producer and retailer that handcrafts small-batch ice cream, hand-roasts specialty coffee, and bakes homemade treats daily at three Minneapolis scoop shop locations (Lowry Hill, Linden Hills, Kingfield). The company sells its products direct-to-consumer through scoop shops and an online Square storefront, and also distributes ice cream wholesale to local restaurants and hospitality venues throughout the Twin Cities.

Product overview

Sebastian Joe's is an independent, family-run ice cream company founded in 1984 by three Italian brothers. They operate three scoop shops in Minneapolis (Lowry Hill, Linden Hills, and Kingfield) and offer a portfolio of ice cream products centered around their seven signature flavors (Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Chocolate, Pavarotti, Salty Caramel, Vanilla, Oreo, and Nicollet Avenue Pothole) complemented by over 100 rotating seasonal flavors and vegan options. The product portfolio extends to hand-roasted coffee blends (Espresso, Dark Roast, Light Roast, Medium Roast, and Single Origins), freshly baked treats (scones, biscotti, croissants, cookies), specialty drinks like Affogato, and take-home options including pints, quarts, and custom ice cream cakes. Wholesale distribution to local restaurants and venues, online ordering through Square, and a community donation program round out their service offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Signature Ice Cream Flavors Seven flagship ice cream flavors (Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Chocolate, Pavarotti, Salty Caramel, Vanilla, Oreo, and Nicollet Avenue Pothole) that are always available and handcrafted in small batches daily for retail and wholesale customers.
• Seasonal and Rotating Ice Cream Flavors Over 100 additional rotating seasonal and limited-edition ice cream and sorbet flavors (including Badger Hill Foundation Stout, Bailey's Coffee Chip, Coconut Cream Pie, Apple Crisp, Kingfield Crunch, Kingfield Sweet Deal, and various sorbets) offered in addition to the seven signature flavors.
• Vegan Ice Cream Line Plant-based ice cream options including Vegan Apple Cinnamon Walnut, Vegan Blueberry Pomegranate, Vegan Chocolate, Vegan Cookie Dough, Vegan Oreo, and Vegan Strawberry, handcrafted alongside the dairy flavors.
• Hand-Roasted Coffee (Blends and Single Origin) Coffee program featuring four signature blends (Dark Dancer espresso, Trolley Tycoon dark roast, Saturday Streetcar light roast, Three Brothers Blend medium roast) and single-origin varieties (Ethiopian, Colombian); hand-roasted weekly in 16-pound batches from sustainable, single-origin, organic, fair-traded Arabica beans sourced from regions over 1,300 meters altitude.
• Homemade Baked Treats Handmade baked goods baked fresh daily at the Linden Hills and Lowry Hill locations, including scones, dessert bars, chocolate-filled croissants, biscotti (based on a family recipe and a replica of the Italian grandmother's recipe), rolls, turnovers, breakfast breads, cookies, popovers, and muffins.
• Custom Ice Cream Cakes Custom ice cream cakes available for ordering through the company's online cake order form for celebrations, birthdays, and special events; customers can specify flavor and design preferences.
• Wholesale Ice Cream Distribution Bulk ice cream distribution to over 20 wholesale partner restaurants, steakhouses, golf clubs, hotels, and event venues throughout the Minneapolis area, including partners such as Minnesota Zoo, Can Can Wonderland, Gianni's Steakhouse, Parkway Pizza (all locations), CRAVE, Sea Salt Eatery, 6Smith, JD Hoyts, Big Bowl, Firelake Grill at Radisson Blu, Nicollet Island Inn, Rush Creek Golf Club, Bearpath Golf & Country Club, Cottagewood General Store, Tommy's Tonka Trolley, The Hilltop, Jakeeno's Pizza & Pasta, Niko Niko at ESC, Boketto, Scoops Ice Cream and More, Chloe by Vincent, and Mason Jar Kitchen & Bar.
• Take-Home Ice Cream (Pints and Quarts) Take-home ice cream available in pint and quart sizes via online Square storefront ordering, with the option to order specific flavors not currently in rotation since all ice creams are made daily.
• Scoop Shop Retail Experience (Sundaes, Shakes, Malts, Ice Cream Sandwiches, Affogato) In-store dessert offerings prepared from handcrafted ice cream at three Minneapolis scoop shops, including sundaes with classic toppings, shakes and malts, handmade ice cream sandwiches, Joe's Brrr Bars, and Affogato (espresso poured over ice cream).

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving dozens of daring ice cream flavors daily across three locations
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Minnesota ZoominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Minnesota Zoo for visitor concessions and events
• Can Can WonderlandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Can Can Wonderland amusement venue
• Gianni's SteakhouseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Gianni's Steakhouse for dessert service
• Parkway PizzaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to all Parkway Pizza locations
• CRAVEminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to CRAVE restaurant
• Sea Salt EateryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Sea Salt Eatery
• 6SmithminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to 6Smith restaurant
• JD HoytsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to JD Hoyts venue
• Firelake Grill at Radisson BluminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Firelake Grill at Radisson Blu
• Big BowlminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Big Bowl restaurant
• Nicollet Island InnminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Nicollet Island Inn venue
• Rush Creek Golf ClubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Rush Creek Golf Club
• Bearpath Golf & Country ClubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Bearpath Golf & Country Club
• Cottagewood General StoreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Cottagewood General Store
• Tommy's Tonka TrolleyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Tommy's Tonka Trolley
• The HilltopminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to The Hilltop venue
• Jakeeno's Pizza & PastaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Jakeeno's Pizza & Pasta
• Niko Niko at ESCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Niko Niko at ESC
• BokettominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Boketto restaurant
• Scoops Ice Cream and MoreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Scoops Ice Cream and More
• Chloe by VincentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Chloe by Vincent restaurant
• Mason Jar Kitchen & BarminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale ice cream distribution to Mason Jar Kitchen & Bar

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Salt & Straw: Multi-city artisanal ice cream shop known for small-batch, imaginative flavors similar to Sebastian Joe's rotating menu. Comparable in product craft, retail experience, and positioning in the premium scoop-shop category.
• Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams: Artisanal scoop shop chain with a similarly positioned small-batch, flavor-forward product and direct-to-consumer retail. Comparable to Sebastian Joe's in handcrafted premium positioning, signature-flavor-driven marketing, and specialty mix.
• Mitchell's Ice Cream: Independent multi-location scoop shop with a long operating history and old-fashioned, handcrafted ice cream positioning. Comparable in craftsmanship, flavor heritage, and retail format to Sebastian Joe's.
• McConnell's Fine Ice Creams: Independent scoop shop and producer making small-batch ice cream from natural ingredients. Directly comparable to Sebastian Joe's on craft production, premium retail pricing, and direct-to-consumer focus.
• Ample Hills Creamery: Independent scoop shop chain offering premium small-batch ice cream with neighborhood retail locations. Closely comparable to Sebastian Joe's in craft production, café-style retail, and flavor-portfolio breadth.
• Izzy's Ice Cream: Twin Cities scoop shop founded in the same era as Sebastian Joe's, offering handcrafted ice cream in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Direct competitor in the local Minneapolis premium ice cream category with overlapping flavors and neighborhood café positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Cold Stone Creamery: National ice cream franchise chain. Comparable on ice cream shop format and trade dress, but operates at a mass-market, mid-tier scale and price point that contrasts with Sebastian Joe's premium artisanal positioning.
• Blue Bunny (Wells Enterprises): Large-scale ice cream manufacturer with Iowa-based operations. Represents the mass-market grocery CPG alternative to Sebastian Joe's retail scoop business and a potential wholesale/distribution landscape competitor.

Regional players

• Grand Ole Creamery: Minneapolis-based ice cream shop and producer operating in the same Twin Cities market. Directly competes for local Minneapolis ice cream demand and has similar small-batch craft positioning.
• Sonny's Ice Cream: Long-running independent Minneapolis ice cream shop. Direct local competitor in the Twin Cities scoop shop category with similar neighborhood, family-friendly positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SebastianJoes
• Instagraminstagram.com/sebastianjoes

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 Sebastian Joe's