Alabama is home to the fastest-growing ice cream chains in the U.S.—can you guess them?

Culver'S
Culver’s in Hoover, Alabama (Jon Eastwood / Bham Now)

The popular culinary website Eat This, Not That published a story earlier this month about the fastest-growing ice cream chains in the U.S. To our surprise, four brands that made the list have either recently opened or plan to in Alabama.

Can you guess who they are?

Read on the for list. 

Culver’s – not just cheese curds

A Hand Holding A Cup Of Liquid With Two Blue Straws
Reese’s with peanut butter and vanilla custard. Go me. #culvers #pb #reeses #custard” by joshduffyphoto is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The Wisconsin-based burger joint may be known for its cheese curds and butterburger, but if you are a fan of frozen custard, this is the place for you. 

The first Culver’s opened in Alabama about five years ago in Hoover. Now, the restaurant has 15 locations statewide with one of their latest openings being in Oxford, Alabama right off Highway I-20.

Brusters Real Ice Cream – a traditional ice cream shop

Ice Cream
Brusters” by weamy29 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Looking for a traditional ice cream-only spot? Eat This, Not That chose a Birmingham metro favorite—Bruster’s Real Cream. Their newest location to open in the Yellowhammer state is in Trussville. 

Currently, there are eight Bruster’s Ice Cream shops in the Montgomery area, Auburn, Madison and Birmingham Metro.

Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers – growing fast

Ice Cream
Freddy’s Chocolate custard-YUM!” by theturquoisetable is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Another custard specialist, Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, has 13 locations throughout Alabama, including smaller towns like Pell City, Foley and Saraland. 

Nationwide the burger and custard chain was reported to have signed 550 restaurant development agreements. What does this mean? More Freddy’s are on the way to Bama!

Jeremiah Ice – offers gelato

68676D25 D3D2 4Cdc A510 1582E9942720 Alabama
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice” by jpellgen (@1179_jp) is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Jeremiah Ice is the only ice cream chain on the Eat This, Not That list that offers Gelato. 

The Bama Buzz broke the news back in 2022 about the company moving into three locations across the state—Dothan, Chelsea and Huntsville. They now have two additional spots in Vestavia Hills and Fairhope.

Marble Slab Creamery – small batch ice cream

Marble Slab is another ice cream shop with a strong presence in Alabama. Fun fact: It’s one of the first small batch ice cream chains in the state.  

Did Eat This, Not That get it right? Are there fast-growing ice cream chains they missed? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.

Pat Byington
Pat Byington
Articles: 432