Ice Cream Parlor Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Ice Cream Parlor Market is projected to grow from USD 14.26 Billion in 2025 to USD 19.54 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 5.39%. These specialized establishments focus on the retail sale of gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt, and premium ice cream for immediate on-site consumption. Market expansion is driven by rapid urbanization and rising disposable incomes that allow consumers to prioritize experiential dining, alongside the strategic growth of international franchise networks in emerging economies. Highlighting the economic significance of key markets, the International Dairy Foods Association reported that the ice cream industry contributed $11.4 billion to the United States economy in 2024.

Despite these growth prospects, the market faces substantial challenges due to the increasing volatility of raw material costs. Fluctuating prices for critical inputs such as dairy, sugar, and vanilla can severely squeeze profit margins and complicate financial planning for operators. This instability often compels businesses to raise retail prices or reduce quality, actions that risk alienating price-sensitive customers and impeding the overall expansion of the global market.

Market Drivers

The proliferation of franchise models and international chains serves as a primary catalyst for the Global Ice Cream Parlor Market, enabling brands to scale operations rapidly while upholding consistent quality. Franchising provides an efficient entry point into emerging economies by leveraging established brand equity to attract urban consumers and adapting to local preferences with reduced capital risk. This aggressive expansion is exemplified by International Dairy Queen, which, according to a November 2025 report, finalized agreements to open 187 new restaurants across Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Qatar over the next decade, significantly broadening its reach in Asia and the Middle East.

Concurrently, surging demand for premium and artisanal frozen desserts is reshaping consumption habits as consumers prioritize high-quality ingredients and indulgent experiences over lower prices. Major industry players are capitalizing on this trend to drive revenue despite economic fluctuations, a strategy reflected in Unilever's February 2025 report where its Ice Cream business group achieved a turnover of €8.3 billion for 2024 with 3.7% underlying sales growth. This appetite for indulgence is further supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which noted in December 2025 that per capita consumption of regular ice cream in the United States reached 12 pounds in 2024.

Market Challenges

The increasing volatility of raw material costs represents a formidable barrier to the sustained growth of the global ice cream parlor market. Operators rely heavily on agricultural commodities like dairy, sugar, and vanilla, which are subject to unpredictable price swings caused by climate variations and supply chain disruptions. When input prices spike, businesses face immediate pressure on operational margins; however, because consumers view ice cream as a discretionary indulgence, passing these costs on through higher retail prices risks a significant drop in sales volume and customer retention.

This economic unpredictability complicates financial planning and strategic expansion, forcing operators to focus on short-term capital preservation rather than long-term investments. The International Sugar Organization highlighted this strain in November 2024 by revising the global sugar deficit forecast to 2.51 million metric tons, indicating tightening supplies that exacerbate price instability. Such market conditions compel ice cream parlors to operate with extreme caution, ultimately slowing the development of franchise networks, particularly in emerging economies where price sensitivity is most acute.

Market Trends

The expansion of plant-based and oat milk menu options is fundamentally altering product mixes within global ice cream parlors, driven by flexitarians and lactose-intolerant consumers seeking dairy-free alternatives that do not compromise on texture. Operators are increasingly utilizing oat and coconut milk bases, which offer creaminess comparable to conventional dairy, moving this shift from a niche accommodation to a mainstream adaptation. The scale of this market penetration was highlighted by The Good Food Institute in June 2025, which reported that global retail sales for plant-based categories, including frozen desserts, rose by five percent to reach $28.6 billion in 2024.

Simultaneously, the emergence of late-night and delivery-only ghost kitchen models is decoupling revenue from the limitations of physical foot traffic and traditional operating hours. By leveraging third-party logistics, operators can capture the high-margin impulse market during late-night peaks, utilizing virtual concepts to serve at-home consumption occasions. This reliance on convenience is substantiated by DoorDash’s May 2025 report, which found that 98% of consumers used food delivery specifically to satisfy immediate cravings, creating a robust channel for on-demand frozen dessert sales.

Key Players Profiled in the Ice Cream Parlor Market

• Baskin-Robbins
• D.Q. Corp.
• Cold Stone Creamery
• Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc.
• Haagen-Dazs
• Amorino
• Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
• Marble Slab Creamery
• Cream Stone
• Natural Ice Creams

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Ice Cream Parlor Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Ice Cream Parlor Market, by Type:

• Branded/Franchise
• Independent

Ice Cream Parlor Market, by Product:

• Traditional Ice Cream
• Artisanal Ice Cream

Ice Cream Parlor Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Ice Cream Parlor Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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