A
Ample Hills Creamery
Originally a Brooklyn-based startup from 2011, Ample Hills is famous for storytelling through ice cream. Their fun flavors, like 'It Came from Gowanus' often feature mix-ins like cookies, brownies, and candy, all made in-house.
- “Ice Cream” not prominent. Marquee lights.
- No flavor differentiation in packaging.
Architecture, though!
B
Coolhaus
Founded in 2009 in Los Angeles, Coolhaus started as a food truck and grew into a national brand known for creative, architecturally inspired flavors. Recently acquired by The Urgent Company, it's now focused on using animal-free dairy via precision fermentation.
- Uncertain what this logo’s about, but great name to be sure. Maybe inspired by drips? Happy it’s custom.
- Clear flavor differentiation in packaging.
- Grabbing hand is fun.
- Grabbing hand still fun.
- Older branding (I think), but still good.
One of the few names that directly alludes to ice cream. Good mix of illustration and photography.
C
Halo Top
While no longer a startup, Halo Top's recent rise as a "healthy" ice cream brand with high protein and low sugar made it a disruptor. It's especially popular with calorie-conscious consumers seeking indulgence without the guilt.
- Cool metallic lid edge, playing off name. Competent design, but somehow super generic. No logo to speak of, just out of the box typeface.
Curious if the name or lid came first.
D
Hellenika Cultured Creamery
Established in 2023 in Seattle, Hellenika offers cultured gelato with tangy, probiotic-rich bases. Known for unique flavors like coconut ube and London fog, their minimalist shops emphasize clean ingredients and modern aesthetics.
- “Cultured Creamery” a bit punny. Modern aesthetic.
- Clear packaging aids in flavor differentiation.
E
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Started in Ohio in 2002 but gained major traction over the past decade, Jeni's offers artisan ice creams made with whole ingredients and no synthetic flavoring. They're known for unique seasonal flavors and bold combinations like Goat Cheese with Red Cherries.
- I guess the circle is a scoop of ice cream. Script implies casual friendliness.
- Color and illustrations, for flavor differentiation.
F
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
Though founded in 1949, McConnell's has had a resurgence thanks to a growing fanbase for its small-batch, Central Coast California creamery offerings. They use grass-fed milk and local ingredients, giving a super creamy, dense texture.
- Interesting abbreviated version of name and logo. Is that a cow on a roof? Fancy script.
- Primarily type-driven branding.
G
Nico's Ice Cream
Started in 2021 as a food cart in Portland, Nico's serves New Zealand-style soft serve-blending fresh fruit with vanilla ice cream in a swirling, creamy texture. They've now opened shops in Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz, CA.
- Vintage vibe. Modern colors. Marquee lights.
- Cool mascot. Could be drawn better, and more distinctive.
- Owner is prominent.
H
Salt & Straw
Founded in Portland in 2011, Salt & Straw is known for its wildly creative flavors using locally sourced ingredients. Each store often partners with community producers, and flavors range from bone marrow to strawberry honey balsamic with black pepper.
Salt & Straw got its name from the traditional method of making ice cream, where salt is used to pack ice around the ice cream base to freeze it. This technique, known as "salt and straw," was historically used before modern refrigeration methods became common. The founders chose this name to evoke a sense of traditional craftsmanship and quality in their ice cream production. It's a nod to both the history of ice cream making and the artisanal approach they take in creating their flavors.
- Old-timey wood sign. Old-timey distressed type.
- Cone-inspired wallpaper and wood parquet.
- Good use of scale to push the rather limited brand palette.
I
Seemingly Overzealous
Launched in 2023 in Charlotte, NC, this allergy-friendly brand serves ice cream free from dairy, gluten, and eggs. With fun branding and local collaborations, it's rapidly growing and opening new shops around the city.
- Wacky logo. Name is cool though.
J
Wanderlust Creamery
Launched in 2015 in Los Angeles, Wanderlust specializes in travel-inspired ice creams. Flavors like White Rabbit candy, sticky rice mango, and ube malted crunch reflect different cultures and destinations worldwide.
- Two stock typefaces, plus mark for logo.
- Cart.
- Great cone sleeve paper.
- Nice ice cream coloring.
- Fun photography.
K
Stragglers
- Nice painterly type logo.
- Cool color on cool color.
- Interesting rhythmic grid.
- - 6. Vintage Baskin Robbins