Youngstown, Ohio — Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream has named two seasoned industry leaders to its executive team as the 80-year-old legacy brand continues its record-breaking expansion across the country: Garrett Snyder joins as vice president of real estate, construction and design, and Deepak Kahlon has been appointed vice president of operations.
Snyder brings a proven track record to Handel’s with more than 15 years of franchise development and real estate expertise, previously serving as vice president of development at Mountain Mike’s Pizza and holding leadership roles at Blaze Pizza and Nékter Juice Bar.
Kahlon is a seasoned operations and management executive with more than 24 years of experience driving growth, profitability and operational excellence across leading franchise brands. His accomplishments include revitalizing concepts such as Baja Fresh and Wetzel’s Pretzels, spearheading digital transformation initiatives, optimizing financial performance and developing high-impact programs like quarterly business reviews and digital operational systems. He also brings significant experience from both McDonald’s corporate and franchise operations.
“Handel’s has been in growth mode for several years, and Garrett and Deepak are key to taking us to the next level,” says Jennifer Schuler, CEO of Handel’s. “They bring proven track records in building strong, scalable systems — exactly what we need as we thoughtfully expand into new markets while preserving what makes Handel’s so special to our guests.”
Now operating more than 170 locations across 18 states, Handel’s continues to attract high-quality franchisees through its streamlined operations model across flexible formats — including walk-up windows, drive-thrus and small-footprint retail spaces — nd achieving an average unit volume of more than $1 million.
The brand’s growth strategy focuses on high-demand markets and partnering with franchise partners who share its commitment to quality, service and community connection — the same principles that have guided the company since Alice Handel first began serving ice cream from her husband’s gas station in 1945.
Operationally, Handel’s offers a streamlined, family-friendly business model that minimizes waste and complexity while maximizing hospitality and profitability. Stores operate with a compact equipment footprint, easy service flow and batch-made ice cream that ensures freshness and cost control.
Founded in the summer of 1945, Handel’s began when Alice Handel started serving homemade ice cream from her husband’s gas station in Youngstown, Ohio, using fruit from her backyard and her personal recipes. Her handcrafted creations quickly became a neighborhood favorite. Under the stewardship of Lenny Fisher, Handel’s grew from a single stand to a nationally celebrated franchise. Now with over 170 locations, the brand still stays true to Alice’s original vision, each batch of ice cream is still made fresh on-site. For more information, visit www.HandelsIceCream.com and www.handelsicecream.com/handels-franchise.
SOURCE: Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream