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Abbott's headquarters and shop at the northern end of Lake Avenue in Rochester | |
Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Restaurants Dessert |
Genre | Quick Service |
Founded | 1902 |
Founder | Arthur W. Abbott |
Headquarters | , U.S . |
Number of locations | 39 (2022)[1] |
Key people | Gail Drew (President) |
Products | Frozen Custard Frozen Treats |
Website | www |
Abbott's Frozen Custard is a frozen custard franchise founded and based in Rochester, New York. The franchise has stores throughout New York state, and has expanded to other states including Florida,[2] Louisiana,[3] Massachusetts,[4] North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.[5]
Overview
Abbott's Frozen Custard was founded in 1902 by Arthur Abbott, who would travel with small carnivals along the eastern seaboard. In 1926, he settled in Rochester. He opened up shop at the corner of Lake and Beach Avenues, across the street from Ontario Beach Park, which at the time was an amusement park that drew crowds of people from all over the state.[6]
Abbott next opened up several shops in the Playland at Rye Beach. The revenue from the stores allowed him to support his interest in horse racing, and in 1952 his horse Blue Man won the Preakness Stakes, earning him $86,135.[7]
In 1957, Abbott was in his 70s and decided to sell the business to Leonard and Thelma Schreiber, they became the new owners of Abbott's Frozen Custard and started franchising Abbott's locations. The first franchise was opened on Ridge Road in Rochester in 1977. Other franchises would follow, along with other additions that contributed to the business. In 1981, Thelma Schreiber unveiled the "Turtle" dessert, a novelty item of chocolate-covered custard on a stick.[6] In 2006 the Krispy Kreme doughnut chain added Abbott's custard to its product line at some stores in south Florida.[8] A Japanese operator opened Abbott's outlets in Japan starting in 1999.[9][10] Gail Drew, the daughter of Leonard and Thelma Schreiber, is the current company president.[11]
See also
References
- ^ "Locations - Abbott's Frozen Custard". Abbott's Frozen Custard. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ Diana Louise Carter, "Abbott's widens reach", Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, May 1, 2007 (pay site).
- ^ Greenwood, Maria (June 4, 2020). "Abbott's Frozen Custard is coming to New Orleans' French Quarter". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ Elizabeth Navisky, "Cold comfort: Abbott's custard brings back good memories for customers", Boston Globe, July 29, 2008.
- ^ "Abbott's Frozen Custer Opens At Cascades Overlook", The Burn, September 16, 2017.
- ^ a b "Frozen custard cools generations". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
- ^ "Blue Man Wins Preakness; 86G for Art Abbott", Billboard, May 31, 1952.
- ^ "Krispy Kreme sweetens the deal at Boca shop: Doughnut giant to introduce Abbott's Frozen Custard into South Florida Menu", Boca Raton/Delray Beach News, March 14–15, 2006.
- ^ "Four routes to the top in restaurant business", Japan Weekly Monitor, April 16, 2001.
- ^ "Rochester Custard Company With Japanese Tsunami Connection", WHAM-TV, March 11, 2011.
- ^ Kneiszel, Judy (July 2010). "Abbott's Frozen Custard". QSR magazine. Retrieved 2020-03-26.