The word ice cream brings a grin to your face, a smile to your lips, and a heavenly taste to your mouth. The favorite dessert is a comfort food meant for every single person out there without a bar on age, time, place or occasion.
The top ice cream brands in the world have made a name for themselves because of their unique flavors and their distinct taste which can be easily differentiated from one brand to another. The sweetened frozen food can be made with and without dairy, with all the fat and richness of milk and also low-calorie to meet the rising demand of health-conscious people. It is available in sizes like single-serving, double-scoop or tub.
It is a fact that the quality and taste of ice creams triumph over other desserts hands down. The top 18 brands in the world include the following names
Table of Contents
Top 18 Ice cream brands in the World in 2023
1. Ben and Jerry’s
- Origin Country: United States
- Founders: Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield
- Founded: 5th May 1978
- Headquarters: South Burlington, Vermont
- Employees: 1,600
- Parent Company: Unilever
- Net Worth: $175 million USD
- Revenue (TTM): $681 million USD
- Net Income (TTM): $50 million USD
- Total Assets: $1.2 billion USD
Ben & Jerry’s is the top ice cream brand associated with the food processing industry. It manufactures sorbet, frozen yogurt as well as delicious ice cream in flavors like chocolate, vanilla etc. Consumers can ask for additional toppings with several desserts. In 2000, Ben & Jerry’s was sold to the multinational conglomerate Unilever but continues to operate as an independent subsidiary.
The best ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s was one of the first to use eco-pint packaging for its products. Since 2013 the brand is committed to manufacturing GMO-free as well as vegan dairy-free ice creams for customers who prefer them above all else
Product Portfolio:
- BEN & JERRY’S CARAMEL ALMOND BITE
- BEN & JERRY’S AMERICONE DREAM
- BEN & JERRY’S THE TONIGHT DOUGH
2. Haagen Dazs
- Origin Country: United States
- Founder: Reuben Mattus and Rose Mattus
- Founded: 1961
- Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
- Net Worth: $750 million USD
- Parent Company: Froneri International (product owner in the US and Canada), General Mills (international brand owner)
- Revenue (TTM): $1.5 billion USD
- Net Income (TTM): $100 million USD
- Total Assets: $2 billion USD
- Employees: 5,000
Häagen-Dazs is an American ice cream brand that was established by Reuben and Rose Mattus in The Bronx, New York, in 1960. Haagen-Dazs is an ice cream brand that started its journey with only three classic flavors like vanilla ice cream, coffee ice cream and chocolate ice cream. The famous company currently has operations through franchises in several countries of the world. Its product portfolio includes ice cream bars, gelato, frozen yogurt, sorbet and ice cream cakes. Häagen-Dazs products are made from the purest and finest ingredients.
Marketed as a super-premium ice cream brand Haagen-Dazs offers mysterious, traditional and delicious flavors to its customers. The products have high butterfat content and do not use stabilizers or emulsifiers other than egg yolks.
Product Portfolio:
- BANANA PEANUT BUTTER CHIP ICE CREAM
- BOURBON PRALINE PECAN ICE CREAM
- CARAMEL CONE ICE CREAM
3. Baskin Robbins
- Origin Country: U.S
- Founder: Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins
- Founded: 1945
- Headquarters: Canton, Massachusetts, United States
- Number of Locations: 8,000+
- Parent Company: Inspire Brands
- Net Worth: $1.1 billion USD
- Revenue (TTM): $2.4 billion USD
- Net Income (TTM): $100 million USD
- Total Assets: $3.5 billion USD
Baskin Robbins is a multinational chain of restaurants dealing in ice creams and speciality cakes. With operations in more than 50 countries, it has the distinction of being the largest chain in the world of ice cream speciality stores. Baskin-Robbins has over 7,800 store locations in more than 50 countries outside the US.
The high profile brand came up with a slogan of “31 flavors” to show that customers could have 31 different flavors of ice cream for thirty-one days straight in a month. Currently, the premium brand boasts 1300+ unique flavors including non-dairy flavors and vegan flavors in its product portfolio which have a high demand in the consumer market.
Product Portfolio:
- JAMOCA ALMOND FUDGE
- PRALINES N CREAM
- COTTON CANDY
4. Walls
- Origin Country: United Kingdom
- Founder: Richard Wall
- Owner: Unilever
- Founded: 1786
- Introduced 1922
Walls is an iconic company that has been in the business of frozen dessert and ice cream for a very long time. It is one of the top 10 ice cream brands in the world and the market leader in the UK with several important products like Cornetto, magnum and Viennetta.
Wall’s ice cream is a global brand that is sold in over 50 different countries around the world. They offer an extensive selection of 40 distinct brands under the Heartbrand logo, and their reach extends to 52 countries across the globe.
The brand offers several variants to ice cream lovers all over the world in pint, scoop, single servings, stick or double-scoop etc. like vanilla ice cream, strawberry ice cream, chocolate ice cream, almond ice cream, mini milk ice cream etc.
Product Portfolio:
- WALL’S MINI BITES VANILLA 10MP
- CORNETTO MINIATURE CHOCOLATE & VANILLA
- MAGNUM BITES CLASSIC ALMOND WHITE 12MP
5. Dairy Queen
- Origin Country: U.S
- Co-Founders: John Freemont McCullough, Sherb Noble and Alex McCullough
- Founded: 22nd June 1940
- Headquarters: Minnesota, U.S.
- Employees: 10,000+
- Parent Company: Berkshire Hathaway
- Net Worth: $2.5 billion USD
Dairy Queen is an American chain of soft serve ice cream and fast food restaurants. It was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Dairy Queen have gained immense popularity as one of the best ice cream brands in the world.
The brand is known to produce some of the most expensive, affordable and high-quality ice creams. Their specialities include soft-serve ice creams, Blizzard which is so thick that it can be served upside down to the customers, healthy options with 5% butter and low fat and mouthwatering frozen yogurts.
Some popular Blizzard Treat flavors include Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Turtle Pecan Cluster, and Choco Brownie Extreme.
Product Portfolio:
- DAIRY QUEEN TWIST CONES
- DAIRY QUEEN STRAWBERRY TWIST CONES
- DAIRY QUEEN BLACK RASPBERRY
6. Nestle
- Origin Country: Switzerland
- Founder: Henri Nestle
- Founded: 1866
- Headquarters: Vaud, Switzerland
- Net Worth: $94.33 billion USD
- Employees: 374,000
- Factories: 467
- Operations: 190 countries
Nestle is associated with the food processing industry and has the distinction of being the world’s largest food company by revenue. Although it has a wide range of products in its kitty the most popular is no doubt ice cream as it is considered one of the best ice cream brands in the world.
The brand offers gourmet rich, soft, creamy flavors, no sugar, lactose-free and low calorie treat to meet the healthier and tastier choices of ice cream lovers all over the world. Flavors include Gumstick, vanilla, chocolate chip, French vanilla and extra creamy whereas vital ingredients include nuts, fruit, and milk (skimmed/ wholesome-full cream).
Product Portfolio:
- NESTLE COUNTRY FRESH
- NESTLE LA CREMERIA INDULGENT PEANUT BUTTER PINTS
- NESTLE KIT KAT GOLD ICE CREAM
7. Blue Bell Creameries
- Origin Country: U.S.
- Founder: R.H. “Ricky” Dickson
- Owner: Blue Bell Creameries, L.P.
- Founded: 1907
- Headquarters: Brenham, Texas, U.S.
- Employees: 1,200+
- Net Worth: $1.75 billion USD
- Revenue (TTM): $500 million USD
- Net Income (TTM): $50 million USD
- Total Assets: $1.2 billion USD
Blue Bell Creameries is an American food company that manufactures ice cream. It was founded in 1907 in Brenham, Texas. Blue Bell Creameries is one of the best ice cream brands in the world known for its authentic taste, fresh flavors and innumerable unique varieties. In the beginning, the company was involved in the manufacturing of both ice creams and butter but later decided to stick with only ice creams. Since 2015 Blue Bell Creameries is the third-largest ice-cream seller in the United States.
The company has 250 varieties of frozen products in its portfolio amongst which 66 are ice cream flavors offered year-round and seasonal offers.
Product Portfolio:
- BLUE BELL COOKIE DOUGH OVERLOAD
- BLUE BELL HOMEMADE VANILLA
- BLUE BELL BUTTER CRUNCH
8. Turkey Hill
- Origin Country: United States
- Founder: Armor Frey
- Previous Owner: Kroger
- Current owner: Peak Rock Capital since 2019
- Founded: 1931
- Introduction of Ice Cream: 1954
- Headquarters: Conestoga Pennsylvania, U.S.
Turkey Hill is one of the top 10 ice cream brands in the world associated with the frozen beverage industry. It primarily deals in products like ice cream, iced tea and frozen dessert throughout the United States and other international markets. The company is headquartered in Conestoga, Pennsylvania, and was a subsidiary of Kroger from 1985 until it was sold to private equity firm Peak Rock Capital in 2019.
Turkey Hill is managed independently by Turkey Hill Minit Markets which is a chain of convenience stores that carry its products. The brand offers 72 limited edition and full-time ice cream flavors like vanilla, ice cream and chocolate ice cream, sherbet and frozen yogurt in 1-US-pint sizes, 48-US-fluid-ounce and 3-US-gallon sizes for use. Its product line includes No-Sugar-Added, Light Recipe, All-Natural Ice Cream, Premium Ice Cream and Stuff’d.
Product Portfolio:
- TURKEY HILL ALL-NATURAL ICE CREAM- RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP
- TURKEY HILL VANILLA BEAN
- TURKEY HILL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH
9. Blue Bunny
- Origin Country: U.S.
- Founder: Fred H Wells Jr
- Founded: 1935
- Headquarters: Iowa, U.S.
Blue Bunny is a brand of ice cream produced by Wells Enterprises, Inc., an American food company based in LeMars, Iowa. Wells Enterprise is the largest family-owned and managed company and the second-largest ice cream manufacturer in the United States.
The name Blue Bunny was derived from a “Name That Ice Cream” contest held in Sioux City. Since that time the world-famous brand brings its offerings with Snackable Ice Cream Treats, Prepared Portions, Bars, Sundaes, Cones and Load’d etc.
In December 2022, the company announced its acquisition by Ferrero Group, an Italian manufacturer.
Product Portfolio:
- BLUE BUNNY MINI SWIRLS
- BLUE BUNNY SANDWICHES
- BLUE BUNNY BIG SLICE VANILLA ICE CREAM
10. Talenti
- Origin Country: U.S
- Founder: Josh Hochschuler
- Founded: 2003 in Dallas, Texas, US
Talenti is an American brand of gelato and sorbet produced by Unilever. The brand is named after Bernardo Buontalenti, who is credited with inventing gelato. Talenti is one of the top 10 ice cream brands in the world associated with the food processing industry. The company offerings are available in Talenti Jars made from fully reusable and recyclable 100% recycled plastic. Talenti makes its gelato and sorbettos from scratch using high-quality ingredients, carefully selected and sourced from all over the world.
Talenti is a brand name linked with rich, creamy, cold, refreshing and delicious ice creams in a range of different flavors like vanilla, ice cream, chocolate ice cream, organic ice creams, butter caramel, peanut butter and strawberry etc. It offers at least 45 fabulous flavors.
The brand has an Instagram account with over 116K followers, where they share photos and videos of their products. Tasting Table has ranked 21 Talenti flavors from worst to best, with Roman Raspberry taking the top spot.
Product Portfolio:
- TALENTI CHOCOLATE CHERRY CHEESECAKE
- TALENTI CARAMEL COOKIE CRUNCH GELATO
- TALENTI COLD BREW COFFEE SORBETTO
11. Tillamook
- Origin Country: U.S.
- Founded: 1909
- Headquarters: Tillamook County, Oregon, U.S.
- Tillamook County Creamery Association is associated with manufacturing and marketing dairy products like ice cream, cheese, yogurt etc.
Tillamook ice cream is a premium ice cream brand that is known for its high-quality ingredients and extra cream, which makes every bite smooth and dreamy. Tillamook started making ice cream as an experiment and sold their original ice cream brand, Tillamook Maid, around town. When the new plant opened, they started full-scale production.
Tillamook is a dairy co-op that has been in business for over 110 years, and they are known for their uncompromising standards, obsessively sourced ingredients, and good old-fashioned passion
Considered one of the best ice cream brands in the world Tillamook offers two categories of ice cream flavors like traditional and special batch flavors. It includes French Vanilla, White Chocolate Raspberry and Banana Split etc.
Product Portfolio:
- TILLAMOOK OLD-FASHIONED VANILLA ICE CREAM
- TILLAMOOK MUDSLIDE ICE CREAM
- TILLAMOOK PEACHES AND CREAM ICE CREAM
12. Breyers
- Origin Country: U.S
- Founder: William A Breyer
- Previous Owner: Kraft
- Owners: Unilever
- Founded: 1866
- Markets: United States
- Headquarters: New Jersey, U.S.
- Net Worth: $250 million USD
Breyers is a brand of ice cream that was started in 1866 by William A. Breyer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Breyers is one of the best ice cream brands in the world known for its expensive creations and their awesome taste and texture. The tasty, creamy, delicious and mouthwatering products with smooth and classy textures have managed to make it a customer favourite and one of the top ice cream brands in the global market
The brand is known for its unique flavors and varieties like all-natural, gluten-free, vegan, classics, black raspberry chocolate, Oreo and apple cinnamon crumble. Breyers products are now labelled as Frozen Dairy Dessert in the US and Frozen Dessert in Canada instead of simple ice creams
Product Portfolio:
- BREYERS BUTTER PECAN ICE CREAM
- BREYERS MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM
- BREYERS BLACK RASBERRY CHEESECAKE GELATO
13. Halo-Top
- Origin Country: United States
- Founder: Justin Woolverton
- Founded: 12th June 2012
- Headquarters: California, U.S.
- Parent Company: Wells Enterprise
Halo Top is an ice cream company and brand that is sold in various countries including the United States, Australia, Mexico, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Austria, United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. It is most popular because of lower-calorie alternative ice creams that substitute sugar with another ingredient stevia which is a sweetener made from plant and sugar alcohol known as erythritol.
In the year 2017 Halo Top was the best-selling ice cream in the United States with its popularity spread far and wide. The brand boasts of offering the first lifestyle ice cream that can be eaten daily without a huge caloric intake. Halo Top ice cream is also higher in protein compared to traditional ice cream. This can help provide a feeling of satiety and satisfaction.
The ice cream brand also offers flavors like dairy-free and vegan besides the original flavors like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and peanut butter and in several variations like mini pops, pops, keto pints, dairy-free pints and dairy pints.
Product Portfolio:
- HALO TOPS PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE
- HALO TOPS BERRY SWIRL
- HALO TOPS VANILLA BEAN
14. Graeter’s
- Origin Country: U.S.
- Founder: Louis Graeter and Regina Graeter
- Founded: 1870
- Headquarters: Ohio, U.S.
- Net Worth: $150 million USD
- Locations: 55 Family-owned stores and 6,500 stores throughout the U.S.
Graeter’s is a regional ice cream chain based in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was founded in 1870 by Louis C. Graeter and has since expanded to 50 retail locations in the Midwestern United States. The company specializes in handcrafting French Pot ice cream, making it in small batches of 2½ gallons at a time.
Graeter’s is a regional chain of retail locations associated with selling ice cream, baked goods and candy. It has deals with Kroger which has helped to spread product presence to most parts of the States.
The company is one of the few commercial brands to manufacture handcrafted ice creams by using the traditional French Pot method. Graeter’s offerings are available in 25 flavours like black cherry, butter pecan, strawberry and coffee etc.
Product Portfolio:
- GRAETER’S CHOCOLATE COCONUT ALMOND CHOCOLATE CHIP
- GRAETER’S STRAWBERRY SORBET
- GRAETER’S KEY LIME PIE
15. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
- Origin Country: U.S.
- Founder: Jeni Britton
- Founded: 2002
- Headquarters: Ohio, U.S.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is an artisanal ice cream company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is 40 “Scoop Shops” in 12 states as well as the District of Columbia. The ice cream pints are distributed through 3,000 high-end grocery markets and mail orders. The brand describes its ice cream products as an amazing dessert with a smooth texture, bright and standalone flavors, buttercream body and clean finish
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is considered one of the best ice cream brands in the world because of its quality offerings. It has been the recipient of several awards like the Sofi Gold Award in the “Outstanding Product Line” category.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is known for its unique and crave-worthy flavors. Some of their most popular flavors include Brown Butter Almond Brittle, Brambleberry Crisp, Goat Cheese with Red Cherries, Green Mint Chip, Cookies in Cream, Darkest Chocolate, Buttercream Birthday Cake, and Lemon & Blueberries Parfait. They also offer a Happy Birthday Collection, which includes a variety of ice cream flavors and toppings for a birthday celebration.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams has gained a national reputation for producing superior desserts made of milk sourced from a family farm in Ohio’s Appalachian region. The company has a large cult following among Ohio émigrés and ice cream enthusiast.
Product Portfolio:
- JENI’S ICE CREAM MANGO CHEESECAKE SWIRL
- JENI’S ROCKET POP PINT
- JENI’S SAVANNAH BUTTERMINT PINT
16. Cold Stone Creamery
- Origin Country: U.S.
- CO-Founders: Donald Sutherland and Susan Sutherland
- Parent Company: Kahala Brands
- Founded: 1988
- Headquarters: Arizona, U.S.
- Employees: 1,200+
- Net Worth: $1.2 billion USD
Cold Stone Creamery is an American international ice cream parlor chain that offers the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience. Cold Stone Creamery is owned and operated by Kahala Brands and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Cold Stone Creamery is a chain of ice cream parlours whose primary product of sale is ice creams made with approximately 12-14% butterfat and related products like ice cream cakes, smoothies and iced drinks. The company offers ice creams in four sizes which are prepared from premium quality, seasonal and natural ingredients. The ice cream is made fresh in-store and can be customized with a variety of mix-ins such as candy, cakes, fruits, or nuts on a frozen granite stone.
With 31 flavours in its product portfolio, Cold Stone Creamery is one of the top ice cream brands in the world. It is known for serving customized fresh ice creams where the customers have the option to eliminate any ingredient they desire from their cup of ice cream, mix the ingredients of their choice or ask for any toppings
Product Portfolio:
- COLD STONE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE DOUGH
- COLD STONE BANANA CARAMEL CRUNCH
- COLD STONE CHOCOLATE DEVOTION
17. Carte D’Or
- Origin Country: UK and Ireland
- Manufacturer: Walls
- Owned: Unilever
- Founded: 1978
- Headquarters: United Kingdom
Carte D’Or is one of the top ice cream brands in the food processing industry. It was introduced in Ireland and the United Kingdom and currently is available in Walls Shops
Creative combinations, delicious taste and mouth-watering flavors have made this premium company one of the best ice cream brands in the world. The Parisian dessert boasts of high-grade craftsmanship and is manufactured with help of authentic ingredients sourced from various parts of the world. Ice Creams are available in variants like certified gluten-free, mint ingredient and skimmed milk etc. and four flavors made with strawberry, Australian almonds, Almond Tarte Crumbles and Italian Chocolate
Product Portfolio:
- CARTE D’OR LES CLASSIQUES VANILLA
- CARTE D’OR CREMA MASCARPONE
- CARTE D’OR SALTED CARAMEL
18. Amul
- Origin Country: India
- Founder: Tribhuvandas Patel
- Founded: 1946
- Headquarters: Anand Gujarat, India
Amul is a cooperative society associated with FMGC and the food processing industries. It deals with several products like cheese, butter, milk, curd and ice cream etc. The ice cream is made from fresh milk and is available in cups of 125 ml, 100 ml, 80 ml, 90 ml, and 40 ml. Amul ice cream is also available in bulk packs of 5 L and catering/institutional packs of 4 L.
Created with natural ingredients, Amul is a force to reckon with in the ice cream industry. Variants include Novelties, Frozen Yoghurt, Lactose-free, Cups, Tri-cones, Tubs, Sugar-free, Sticks and Party Packs. All the products are made from fresh milk, nuts and superior fruits with no added vegetable oil. It was the first of its kind in India to introduce probiotics in ice cream.
The brand emphasizes the use of natural ingredients and offers a range of products that are both delicious and healthy.
Product Portfolio:
- AMUL SHAHI ANJEER
- AMUL LACTOSE-FREE
- AMUL VANILLA WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE
Conclusion
There is a lot of competition to know which one is the best ice cream brand in the world. The above-mentioned list has the name of the top brands that have already proved their worth in the consumer market by showing extraordinary sales figures and hefty revenues along with a loyal customer base.
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Ana says
The best ice cream in the world is ACME ice cream. It is super premium ice cream. No air exists in this ice. It is currently found in Washington state. It can be ordered and shipped to your home. I used to think nobody could beat Haagen Daz, but ACME beats all other ice creams.
Catherine says
Have you heard of giapo ice cream? Thats a powerful world changing ice cream brand.
Missy Crawford says
Y’all forgot one, it granny banana peanut butter sugar and vanilla ice cream, it is good try it you’ll love it
Gopi patel says
Best quality ice cream I have ever tasted, with so much exciting flavours & made with so much love…
I love it..
lol says
I love Haagen-Dazs. its flavor is so yummy and tasty and I would recommend that there should be more and more flavors to try. thank you so much Haagen-Dazs
Kim Evans says
Hershey’s is the best in my opinion …..????????y’all should try it
Ella Gilarowski says
OMG ben and jerrys is the best!!!
Santhanakrishnan says
Living Icecreams
Very very good quality and taste