PNC Brands Group has secured a majority stake in the US-based family-owned Ice Cream Factory for an undisclosed amount.
Founded in 2019 by Shannon and Katie Imler, Ice Cream Factory specializes in handcrafted ice creams and offers co-manufacturing services for both regional and emerging brands.
Operations are centered at a refurbished 90,000-square-foot dairy plant in Lebanon, Missouri, originally built in the 1940s. This facility will continue to serve as the company’s headquarters and main production site, according to a statement from PNC.
PNC supports food brands through various functions, including R&D, packaging design, and distribution. Additionally, it is the parent organization of Pivot North Consulting Group and owns PNC Specialty Foods.
Gail Kurpgeweit, the president and CEO of Pivot North and PNC Specialty Foods, told Just Food that the “driving reasons behind acquiring Ice Cream Factory were to secure long-term production stability for PNC’s flagship product, Fanci Freez.”
The Lebanon facility is expected to provide the necessary infrastructure to scale the soft-serve milkshake product while also supporting a growing portfolio of both sweet and savory items developed through PNC’s Menu to Market program.
Without disclosing the exact stake, Kurpgeweit indicated that PNC now holds a controlling interest, enabling it to steer operations and invest in growth.
Shannon Imler will retain a “significant” stake and continue as chief growth officer, as confirmed by Kurpgeweit.
Historically, the Lebanon site has operated at around 30% of its capacity. PNC’s focus now is on scaling the remaining 70%, she added.
Planned “targeted upgrades” include modernizing processing lines, expanding frozen storage, and building a new savory production line to enhance co-manufacturing capabilities beyond ice cream, according to PNC’s statement.
Ice Cream Factory previously allocated its output between its own brands and co-manufactured products for select partners.
“Under PNC’s leadership, co-packing will be a central focus of our growth model,” Kurpgeweit told Just Food, adding that the facility was “intentionally acquired to support national-scale manufacturing for PNC’s house brands as well as partner brands seeking a reliable, SQF-certified production home (certification pending).”
Headcount at the Lebanon plant currently fluctuates between 27 to 49 full-time employees, depending on seasonal demand. As production ramps up and product categories expand, PNC expects to add an additional 17 to 29 roles over the next year, covering production, logistics, food safety, and quality management.
While Kurpgeweit did not disclose historical sales figures for the ice cream maker, she emphasized a strong focus on capacity and growth, targeting new contracts, expanding product lines, and increasing capital investment.
The Ice Cream Factory’s current sales strategy focuses predominantly on the US market, though international opportunities are being explored, she added.
