Bruster's Real Ice Cream Operator Brings "Neighborhood Ice Cream Store" to Tennessee Town

Nicole and Paul Fedorchek knew they loved Bruster’s Real Ice Cream. The southern California  family enjoyed the brand’s constantly-changing flavors and ice cream made fresh in the shop daily. What they didn’t know was the brand had core values very similar to their own.

“I couldn't have been more pleased to find out that our favorite ice cream place also believed in being a good community partner, developing the next generation of leaders, and creating awesome memories through ice cream,” says Nicole.

That revelation came when Nicole and Paul moved to the Nashville, Tennessee area in the summer of 2020. “We knew we wanted to start our own business but didn’t know what it would be,” she recalls. “When our daughter came to visit us for the first time, she asked ‘Where do we get ice cream?’ She was not satisfied with the options and remarked, ‘You need a Bruster's around here!’” That’s when the little light bulb clicked for the Fedorcheks.

Nicole says after researching the company, they discovered there was a lot to like about the small, family-owned brand. For example, she says, they liked that it wasn't a huge company selling multiple brands and that Bruster’s believes in finding the right partner and focusing on the right growth. She says, “A lot of companies just care about selling franchises and growing locations but Bruster's cares about putting the right franchisee in the right location.”

The couple signed their franchise agreement in December 2020. Sadly, Paul passed away in August 2021 from a Covid-related illness. But Nicole carried on because she knew that’s what Paul would want her to do. “I never envisioned doing this on my own, but at the same time, it feels so right,” she says. Their first store opened in Hendersonville, Tennessee in January.

From the very beginning, Nicole says, Bruster’s was there to assist her on the franchise journey.  The corporate team has been there from the initial Meet the Team Day in November 2020 through Opening Day in January 2023.

“Even though I have been in real estate for 10 years, developing a commercial building from the ground up was all new to me. The brand was there every step of the way, reviewing design plans, ordering equipment, and more,” she says. “Once construction was close to being done, the Operations team was amazing in getting us ready for opening. Every promise was kept, every "i" dotted, every "t" crossed!”

Nicole says the Hendersonville community has embraced her and the Bruster’s location. “I wanted a business that would support our community, and that is exactly what Bruster's has to offer,” she says. “I have the opportunity to work with more than 35 young people, be a great community partner for local charities, and truly be the ‘neighborhood ice cream store.’” And since she owns the property where her Bruster’s is located, the investment has given her a strong real estate asset to boot.

Nicole says she would, “Absolutely!” do it all over again and envisions opening additional Bruster’s locations in the future.

If Bruster’s sounds like the kind of community-oriented business investment you are looking for, you can find out more about franchising opportunities by calling (724) 312-8739 or going to brustersfranchise.com for franchise information.

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Bruster's Real Ice Cream
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