(Jamaica Observer) The Caribbean will soon have more options for satisfying its sweet tooth, with a Guyanese company and an American creamery pairing up to open ice-cream stores across the region.
Under an agreement with W&T George and Company Limited, the Pennsylvania-based Bruster’s Real Ice Cream chain opened its first international store in Guyana last week. That establishment will be the first of many in the Caribbean, as outlined in a master franchise deal for the market secured by W & T George and Company.
“Bruster’s is world-class premium ice cream,” said W&T George director Selwin George. “Our partnership will transform the traditional landscape with the introduction of freshly made ice cream to an underserved market.”
W & T George has master franchising rights for Bruster’s expansion in the Caribbean region, and plans are in place to open 14 stores across Jamaica, Barbados, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Senior Vice-President of Sales and Operations for Bruster’s, Dave Guido, said its entrance in the market came after the company was approached by W & T George to take the ice-cream brand to the Caribbean.
“They were very aware of the markets that they wanted to expand in,” Guido told the Jamaica Observer. “They thought that the freshness and quality of Bruster’s, along with the service model, would be a big hit.”
Though not having a concrete date for the establishment of a Jamaican franchise, Guido said Trinidad & Tobago is likely to be the next territory with a Bruster’s store.
“Geographically Trinidad and Tobago makes sense,” he said. “To satisfy their agreements with us, W & T George will have to open 14 stores in the areas that they committed to within a five year time period.”
After serving up freshly churned ice-cream, cake, shakes, and other treats made from over 40 available flavours, the Guyanese branch of Bruster’s reported sales of over GYD$1 million (J$430,000) on its opening day last Saturday. The store reported particular interest in tropical flavours such as Mango Ginger, made from fresh fruit.