HANDEL’S ICE CREAM UNVEILS SOUTH GILBERT GRAND OPENING WITH EXCLUSIVE GIVEAWAYS

Celebrate the grand opening on Thursday, September 17, with Free Ice Cream for a Year and exciting giveaways at the brand’s new walk-in location.

GILBERT, AZ, UNITED STATES, September 15, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Handel’s Ice Cream, the beloved brand serving premium ice cream since 1945, is officially expanding its footprint in Arizona with its newest location. The new walk-in shop is situated at 3984 South Val Vista Drive, Suite 104. The celebrations kick off on Thursday, September 17, treating the first 100 people in line to a chance to win Free Ice Cream for a Year, Free Pint Per Month for a Year, $50 Gift Cards, or $25 Gift Cards, alongside a spin-a-wheel for extra prizes from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

The festivities continue all weekend long. On Friday, September 18, guests can enjoy a face painter, a balloon twister and a 360-photo booth from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Over the weekend on September 19 and 20, the shop will host “Celebrity Scooping” events in partnership with local schools.

Local entrepreneurs Terry and Jennifer Keenen own and operate the new shop alongside Operating Partner Vanessa Dodds, adding South Gilbert to their growing roster that already includes Queen Creek Marketplace, Medina Station, and Red Mountain Ranch.

“Launching three shops in a single year is an absolute whirlwind, but seeing how passionately the Valley has welcomed us makes every late night and busy morning completely worth it,” said Terry Keenen, co-owner of Handel’s South Gilbert. “We are deeply grateful for this community’s incredible appetite for our scoops, and we can’t wait to plant roots in this neighborhood.”

Community involvement remains a core priority for the team, which regularly partners with local schools, sports teams, clubs, and nonprofits through fundraising events, sponsorships, and charitable donations. The new South Gilbert shop opens daily at 10:00 a.m. and is eager to connect deeply with the surrounding neighborhood.

“South Gilbert is such a phenomenal area, and our entire crew is completely focused on making this store a local favorite from day one,” said Vanessa Dodds, Operating Partner of Handel’s South Gilbert. “Between our school fundraisers and churning out fresh flavors around the clock, we are ready to dive right in and serve up some smiles.”

The new South Gilbert scoop shop will be open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The walk-in shop will offer 48 rotating flavors, catering services, and convenient pickup and delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Postmates.

For more on the South Gilbert Handel’s, visit https://handelsicecream.com/store/gilbert-south/ or follow @handels_southeastvalley on Instagram.

About Handel’s Ice Cream
Handel’s Ice Cream has been making and selling ice cream since 1945. Founded in Youngstown, Ohio, the legacy of Handel’s began with Alice Handel. The brand was later purchased by Lenny Fisher, and what started as a single ice cream parlor has now grown into a beloved brand nationwide. Handel’s is committed to quality, using abundant ingredients to create their ice cream, which is made by hand in small batches at each location. They offer 48 flavors every day, with more than 140 additional flavors that rotate seasonally.

Handel’s has earned numerous industry accolades, including being ranked the #1 Sweet Treat and a Top 10 Brand to Buy by Franchise Times. The brand is also featured on the publication’s Top 400 list of the largest franchise systems in the United States and its Fast & Serious list recognizing the smartest-growing franchises of the year. Additionally, Handel’s was recognized on Fast Casual’s Movers & Shakers 2025 list, while CEO Jennifer Schuler was named among the Top 25 Industry Executives for her leadership and innovation in foodservice. The brand is also recognized as a Top 500 Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine.

Handel’s currently has over 175 locations across 20 states and is growing. To learn more about Handel’s franchise opportunities, visit https://handelsicecream.com/handels-franchise/.

Kampi Chaleunsouk 
Ink Link Marketing
+1 (305) 631-2283
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