After capturing national attention on the popular show Shark Tank, Crispy Cones is expanding its reach with a new location in Palm Beach Gardens. This new venture marks a significant step for the innovative gourmet soft-serve ice cream shop, which has earned a loyal following for its unique approach to ice cream cones.
Crispy Cones was founded by Jeremy Carlson, who revolutionized cone-making by wrapping dough around wooden dowels and grilling it rotisserie-style to golden perfection. Carlson’s inspiration came from a similar treat he encountered during a mission trip to the Czech Republic, where a street vendor served him a delightful pastry. Carlson, alongside his wife Kaitlyn, began selling the treat in Rexburg, Idaho, first with a tent, then a trailer. Their business soon caught the eye of Shark Tank producers, and after appearing on the show, the company garnered widespread attention.
In February 2024, Vincent and Angela Cannella, a husband-and-wife team from Floral Park, New York, watched the Shark Tank episode and were instantly inspired by Carlson’s story of perseverance and innovation. Being avid fans of both the show and ice cream, the Cannellas researched Crispy Cones and soon scheduled a Zoom meeting with Carlson, who now serves as the company’s CEO. Angela recalls, “Jeremy’s energy, warmth, and passion made an incredible impression on us, and we immediately connected with him and his team.”
After traveling to Idaho to meet the team and learn more about the brand, the Cannellas decided to invest in a franchise. Crispy Cones has eight other locations across the United States, including spots in Idaho, Arizona, Utah, Tennessee, and Orlando.
The Cannellas, both longtime ice cream lovers, were especially impressed by the company’s gourmet soft serve. “When we tasted the chocolate, we couldn’t believe it. It was like Häagen-Dazs in a swirl,” Angela said. The ice cream features a higher butter fat content, giving it a richer, creamier texture and flavor compared to typical soft serve.
Crispy Cones serves a variety of flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, and a swirl of both, along with a weekly “secret” flavor revealed every Monday. Previous secret flavors have included dulce de leche, coconut, and pineapple. Last week’s flavor was French toast. In addition to the weekly ice cream flavor, the shop offers a monthly specialty cone. For December, the flavor was gingerbread, while January features a coconut cone.
The process of creating a custom treat at Crispy Cones is simple: customers select a cone, choose a spread to apply inside, pick an ice cream flavor, and finish with toppings and sauce. From there, it’s time to indulge.
Though neither Vincent nor Angela has experience in the restaurant industry, they are enthusiastic about their new venture. Angela, a retired real estate manager, and Vincent, who works in IT, see this as their second act. “We’re not going to sit in a rocking chair,” Angela said. The couple considered opening a location in New York or South Florida and ultimately chose the latter, having been frequent visitors to Jupiter, Florida, since 1989.
The Palm Beach Gardens Crispy Cones location is set to have its grand opening on the weekend of February 7-9. The Cannellas are excited to introduce the unique, rotisserie-grilled cones and gourmet soft serve to the local community. “We love the community down here,” Vincent said.
As Crispy Cones continues to grow, it brings a fresh, innovative approach to the world of ice cream, blending a passion for flavor with a dedication to craftsmanship. Palm Beach Gardens residents can look forward to a sweet new destination to satisfy their dessert cravings.
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