New heads of real estate and operations support nationwide expansion and franchise growth
Youngstown, OH (RestaurantNews.com) 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.
These leadership additions come during a record-setting 2025 for Handel’s, marked by continued double-digit unit growth and over a decade of positive system-wide same-store sales growth, further cementing the brand’s position as one of the fastest-growing names in ice cream franchising.
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, where he helped elevate operational consistency, strengthen brand standards, and accelerate business results.
“Handel’s has been in growth mode for several years, and Garrett and Deepak are key to taking us to the next level,” said 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 – and achieving an average unit volume of more than $1 million.
Handel’s development pipeline remains strong and consistent, with dozens of new locations added in recent years. 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.
With a fortified leadership team and a clear roadmap for expansion, Handel’s is positioned for continued national success and sustained franchise growth in 2026 and beyond.
For more information about Handel’s, visit HandelsIceCream.com.
About Handel’s Ice Cream
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, laying the foundation for what would become one of America’s most beloved ice cream brands.
Under the stewardship of Lenny Fisher, Handel’s grew from a single stand to a nationally celebrated franchise, earning generations of loyal fans through its steadfast commitment to quality, tradition and community. Now with over 150 locations and 140 flavors that rotate seasonally, the brand still stays true to Alice’s original vision, each batch of ice cream is still made fresh on-site.
Handel’s is ranked in Franchise Times’ Top 400 list, recognizing the largest franchise systems in the United States, and its “Fast & Serious,” a list of the smartest-growing franchises for the year. The brand was also ranked on Fast Casual’s Movers & Shakers 2025 list, while Jennifer Schuler, CEO of Handel’s, was named one of the top 25 industry executives, an honor recognizing exceptional leadership and innovation in foodservice. Handel’s is also recognized as a Top 500 Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine.
Handel’s currently has over 170 locations across 18 states and is growing. To learn more about Handel’s franchise opportunities, visit HandelsIceCream.com/handels-franchise/.
Contact:
Courtney Sybesma
Champion
972-930-9933
csybesma@championmgt.com
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