Abbott’s Frozen Custard has been part of Rochester for 100 years, and the majority of its locations are in this market.
But the brand is continuing to expand its footprint in the southeastern United States, and on Jan.14, an Abbott’s Frozen Custard stand will open in Merritt Island, on Florida’s East Coast near Cape Canaveral.
Abbott’s already has locations in Coconut Creek, Middleton, Vero Beach and Winter Garden.
The Merritt Island franchisees are Sophia and Nick Chambers, who also operate Blue Marlin Real Estate and Dockside Title in Brevard.
“Abbott’s is a nostalgic brand for me, something I grew up on, being from Rochester, New York, where the brand originated,” Sophia Chambers told FLORIDA TODAY. “The product is so unique, made fresh daily and using milk straight from a dairy farm in upstate New York. I feel like it is something our community deserves.”
Abbott’s now has 38 locations, most of them franchises.
Outside the Rochester area, they can be found in New Orleans, Louisiana; Clemmons and Concord, North Carolina; Greer and Tega Cay, South Carolina; Nolensville, Tennessee; Needham, Massachusetts; and Lindenhurst and Syracuse, New York.
Made with milk, cream, eggs and sugar, and slowly churned to remove the air, Abbott’s Frozen Custard is served in a number of hand-held varieties and sold in cake and pie form.
Abbott’s history
Abbott’s was founded in 1902 by Arthur Abbott, who peddled the frozen treat at carnivals up and down the Eastern Seaboard. He settled in Rochester in 1926, opening his first store at Lake and Beach avenues in Charlotte, which remains the flagship.
In 1957, Leonard and Thelma Schreiber bought Abbott’s and took the company to the next level through franchising.
Their daughter Gail Drew is the current owner.
In a 2023 interview with the Democrat and Chronicle, Brenden Drew, Gail’s son and Abbott’s vice president of business development, credited the product’s consistent quality and the dedication of Abbott’s workers for the brand’s longevity.
“We excel at making people smile,” he said.
Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments and has an interest in retail news. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on X @MarciaGreenwood.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester frozen custard favorite to open new location in Florida
Reporting by Marcia Greenwood and Amber Olesen, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
