OPINIONFood

How we all came to scream for ice cream

Restaurant Rewind: 'Tis the season to break out the sprinkles and split a few bananas. Join us as we look at the origins of ice cream and how it evolved to the sales-driver it is today.

With summer just a few heatwaves away, the restaurant business is within a Maraschino cherry toss of prime ice cream season. Is there any better time to retrace how a treat that began as honeyed snow has morphed into an all-American restaurant staple?

This week’s episode of Restaurant Rewind is betting “no.” The installment looks back at the origins of the frozen treat and its twisty evolution over the centuries that followed. In what other account might Nero, Thomas Jefferson and Howard Johnson all play memorable roles?  

So scoop yourself a bowl of rum raisin, bury it in whipped cream and press Play.

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Financing

Consumers are leaving their cars and going into restaurants

The Bottom Line: Drive-thru traffic has steadily fallen since the pandemic, even as other off-premise channels remain strong. That traffic has shifted back to the restaurants. Did the industry overdo the drive-thru?

Financing

In the 10 largest restaurant chains, signs of the industry’s evolution

The Bottom Line: Only 14 chains have been on the list of the 10 largest concepts over the past two decades. But that doesn’t mean that it hasn’t changed with consumer demand.

Emerging Brands

Olive & Finch lets diners dictate how they want to experience the brand

This growing premium fast casual out of Denver is expanding with an all-day menu priced no higher than $20. Part of the value offering is giving guests options for how they use the concept.

Trending

More from our partners