Get Adobe Flash player

Frozen Desserts

Josh Abbott Promotes DQ Restaurants in Texas

Josh Abbott and DQ restaurants in Texas do it again with another exciting collaboration. The two Texas icons have come together with the Josh Abbott Meal featuring the country singer’s favorite childhood meal, runs through May 26 at participating DQ restaurants in Texas.

“I am from a little town called Idalou outside of Lubbock, Texas, and Dairy Queen was always my go to spot growing up,” said Abbott, lead singer of the Josh Abbott Band. “Whether I was heading to Dairy Queen after a basketball or football game, or going to Dairy Queen with my grandpa, I have a lot of great memories with the brand.”

The Josh Abbott Meal features a four-piece Steak Finger Country Basket, a mini M&M’s Milk Chocolate Blizzard Treat, a refreshing Iced Tea, and a collectible limited-edition Josh Abbott cup, available at participating restaurants while supplies last.

When it comes DQ, Abbott said he gravitated to the steak finger basket growing up because it was unique.

“You can go to a lot of places with burgers or chicken, but Dairy Queen has the variety, and I loved the steak fingers.”

“Texans work hard and play hard, and when they are hungry, they come to DQ restaurants in Texas for their favorite Treats & Eats,” said Lou Romanus, CEO of Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council. “We have enjoyed working with Josh the last couple of years who brings his nostalgia and passion for Dairy Queen into this new initiative.”

The two Texas icons joined forces in 2022 to create a fresh new sound for DQ restaurants in Texas with one of the most recognizable jingles in the Lone Star State, “That’s What I Like About Texas.” The country music star brought his distinctive style to the jingle, which has been a staple for the past two decades.

Today, Abbott is building DQ memories with his own kids. He and his family recently visited a DQ location, where he introduced his children to the Blizzard Treat.

“Watching their faces, that sugar rush and the joy was a really cool moment! We filmed it and I am so glad we have that on camera now,” said Abbott.

Abbott founded the Josh Abbott Band in 2006 while attending Texas Tech University. The seven-piece group cut its teeth as a hard-touring act with hooky melodies that deliver real-world stories. The Josh Abbott Band released its seventh studio LP “Somewhere Down The Road” in January. Produced by Dwight A. Baker (Flatland Cavalry), the new album is their first full-length since 2020 and is the first featuring a newly reconfigured lineup. The band is on tour across the country. Visit joshabbottband.com for tour dates.

There are few brands as iconic as the DQ brand. Innovative DQ treats and eats, along with the unique DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned DQ restaurants in Texas as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. The Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council is a nonprofit organization made up of DQ franchisees operating in Texas.

The Council develops the advertising and marketing program for DQ franchisees in Texas and controls the Texas Country Foods menu along with managing supply/distribution for the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. The DQ restaurants in Texas are franchised by American Dairy Queen Corporation and the DQ franchise system includes approximately 7,000 franchised locations in the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries, including the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas.

For more news of interest to the foodservice industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Graeter’s Ice Cream Launches Limited Edition Mystery Tasting Pack

Graeter’s Ice Cream, family-owned craft ice cream maker since 1870, has launched its latest creation, the Mystery Tasting Pack. This limited-edition pack invites ice cream lovers to participate in an engaging blind tasting experience with six never-before-seen flavors.

The Mystery Tasting Pack takes Graeter’s Ice Cream’s Bonus Flavor ideation to the next level, combining the craft quality and fan-loved perfection of the handcrafted French Pot ice cream, with a fun and interactive food challenge that brings family and friends together. The highly sought after Mystery Tasting Pack is available exclusively online at www.graeters.com/mystery-tasting, while supplies last.

The online pack offers ice cream lovers across the United States an opportunity to be the first to experience Graeter’s flavor innovations. Consumers are encouraged to peek under the veil of the Graeter’s flavor factory with delivery right to their doorstep.

These indulgent new flavors represent Graeter’s commitment to being the best in the ice cream business, like all of Graeter’s other flavors, these six pints are handcrafted in the brand’s classic French Pots in small 2½ gallon batches.

“We’re excited to offer our fans a chance to experience the thrill of discovering new flavors while adding an element of surprise,” said Bob Graeter, fourth-generation owner of Graeter’s Ice Cream. “It’s a great way to engage with our community and create memorable moments with friends and family. The six pack is sure to delight our loyal fans and show ice cream lovers across the U.S. what Graeter’s Ice Cream is all about.”

Friends, fans, and ice cream enthusiasts across America can get the Mystery Pack online at www.graeters.com/mystery-tasting for a limited time while supplies last.

Graeter’s Ice Cream, celebrating its 154th anniversary, produces craft ice cream using French Pots, a small batch, artisanal method of production dating back over a century. Graeter’s has won the hearts of ice cream enthusiasts across the country as well as the respect of the nation’s most influential foodies. Tasted among 13 national brands, Graeter’s was voted the #1 Vanilla Ice Cream by MyRecipes.com in 2019.

Famous for their signature chocolate chips, the Cincinnati-based company remains family owned and operated and continues to handcraft ice cream 2 1⁄2 gallons at a time. Today, Graeter’s currently has 56 retail stores and ships over 300,000 pints annually for online mail order sales and corporate gifting. Graeter’s can also be found in more than 3,000 grocery stores in 46 states. Visit www.graeters.com for more information.

For more news of interest to the food and beverage industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Whipnotic Expands Into Hundreds More Kroger Stores

Whipnotic, the innovative whipped cream brand putting a sweet spin on a classic indulgence, celebrates Valentines Day, proudly announcing expanded distribution into more than 300 Kroger stores. On its way to creaming the competition, this major retail expansion marks a significant scale-up across 28 states for the sister-owned brand, continuing to transform a timeless category. Whipnotic’s four whipped cream flavors are already available in stores nationwide and online at Whipnotic.com

“Kroger shoppers are food trend setters, who love quality, superior ingredients and heightened flavor; we can’t wait to see what they whip up with Whipnotic!” said Whipnotic co-founder and President Tracy Luckow, who holds a PhD in Sensory Science and Nutrition. “A swirl of colorful whipped cream pairs perfectly with so many Kroger fan favorites throughout the store, from ice cream and cake to coffee, hot cocoa and bowls brimming with berries.”  

Whipnotic, which recently won a SATA Innovation award, is the only whipped cream brand to put a colorful swirl of flavor at your fingertips, thanks to patented technology. A simple press of the Whipnotic nozzle releases a dazzling blend of all-natural, fruit-infused color and flavor into a delicious, decadent cream for an aesthetic at-home delight right from the fridge. This mouth-watering treat is deliciously KETO-friendly, gluten-free, artificial flavor-free and has only 15 calories and 1 gram of sugar per decadent serving.  

“Consumers are reimagining the role of whipped cream in their lives with Whipnotic,” said Whipnotic co-founder and CEO Lori Gitomer. “Unlike traditional whipped cream, typically reserved for special occasions, Whipnotic has proven to be incremental to the category, embraced as a daily delight, which is why our brand is selling twice as many units, per store, per week than the category average. We’re thrilled Kroger sees the potential too. We know the sky is the limit.”

Whipnotic launched last summer and has seen exponential growth, rapidly outpacing competitors, both traditional and newcomers. This expansion more than doubles Whipnotic’s retail reach, adding availability of Whipnotic Vanilla Salted Caramel and Strawberry Swirl flavors at Kroger stores throughout Atlanta, Cincinnati, Columbus, Michigan, Louisville, Mississippi, Nashville and the MidAtlantic region. Whipnotic’s bright and colorful packaging stands out on shelf and its four mouth-watering flavors (including Brownie Batter and Peach Mango) have become fast favorites with fans who keep coming back for more. 

Whipnotic adds a creamy layer to the already frothy whipped cream category, which is estimated at $1.3 billion in retail and another $1 billion in food service growing double digits in the past year according to Nielsen. Flavored whipped cream is leading that growth as consumers turn to the KETO-friendly, low carb, low sugar, sweet treats for daily delight.  

Whipnotic’s mouth-watering magic comes courtesy of a patented nozzle designed by the two sisters and co-founders Luckow and Gitomer, determined to add more flavor and fun to a beloved indulgence that has seen little innovation in nearly 100 years.  The company holds a global patent with more than 30 claims for the breakthrough packaging innovation which enables a user to control the combination of two different flavors, colors, textures, or ingredients for an elevated, on-demand experience.

Whipnotic is flipping the industry on its can, taking the dessert and beverage world by storm with its revolutionary approach to whipped cream. A simple press of Whipnotic’s innovative patented nozzle technology unfurls a swirl of all-natural fruit juices and flavor essences infused into rich whipped cream. 

Whipnotic whipped creams are Keto-friendly, gluten-free, made with real cream and all natural color and flavor and are available at more than 1,000 stores including retailers like Central Market, The Fresh Market, Citarella, Harmons, Kroger, Fairway, Market District and Balducci’s, and now online at Whipnotic.com. Whipnotic is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise.

Follow Whipnotic on Instagram and TikTok. 

For more news of interest to the dessert foods industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.