The birth of a frozen delicacy
Michael Keller, CEO of Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, sat down with hosts Ginger Gadsden and Matt Austin at Florida’s Fourth Estate to share the captivating origin story of this beloved brand.
The journey began with Jeremy Litwack, a passionate entrepreneur from South Jersey. Inspired by the classic Italian ice (or “water ice” as it’s called in Philly. Please don’t try to pronounce “water ice” the way they do in Philly. It won’t end well for you) of his hometown, Jeremy began experimenting with recipes back in 1988 while studying at the University of Delaware.
From handcarts to stationary retail
Litwack’s dream wasn’t just to create a delicious product; he wanted to share it with the world. He started small, selling his perfected Italian ice cream from behind a pushcart, sometimes even on roller skates. He was a hockey player, so he knew what he was doing. The journey took him to Florida, where he opened the first Jeremiah’s Italian Ice location in Winter Park, Orlando in 1996.
Growing pains and breakthroughs
Like many large companies, Jeremiah’s faced its share of difficulties. Litwack brought a northeastern concept to the sunny state of Florida and it took a while to catch on. There were slow days at first with few customers and even less sales, but Litwack’s belief in his product never wavered. He focused on grassroots work and built the brand one customer at a time. He even went so far as to stick coupons on the windshields of cars parked in his lot. What can we say, the guy had an insatiable drive.
A franchise success story
In 2019, Litwack and his team decided to take Jeremiah’s to the next level through franchising. The first franchise locations opened in 2020 and within a few years, the company expanded to nearly 130 stores in 11 states. Growth has been phenomenal and the brand shows no signs of slowing down. When Matt Austin asked the CEO about growing too quickly, Keller explained that they go to great lengths to ensure that each location delivers on Jeremiah’s promise of quality.
A taste that stays in your memory
When FFE host Ginger Gadsden got to try Jeremiah’s Italian ice during the podcast, she couldn’t help but rave about the unique, layered flavors. The blend of Italian ice and vanilla cream creates a taste experience that keeps customers coming back for more. Ginger’s reaction was priceless and she compared the experience to wine tasting, where the flavors continue to develop with each bite.
The future of Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
Jeremiah’s has big plans for the future. With the goal of expanding to 300 stores within a few years, the company is set for continued success. New products and flavors are in the pipeline and promise to delight customers in new and exciting ways.
A sweet legacy
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice has grown from a single stand to a nationwide franchise while staying true to its sweet roots. As Michael Keller puts it, the future is bright, with endless opportunities for growth and innovation. Whether you’re in Florida or across the country, one thing is clear: Jeremiah’s is here to stay, one cup of delicious Italian ice at a time.
The original Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, which opened in Winter Park, is still open and is located at 6864 Aloma Ave.
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