From Chick-fil-A’s early days serving Guests in 1946 to today’s new Frosted Sodas and Floats, see how Icedream® remains the sweet center of the Chick-fil-A menu.
Long before the Hand-Spun Milkshakes became a drive-thru favorite, and even before the first
Chick-fil-A® sign was hung in 1967, there was a simple, swirl-topped dessert bringing smiles to customers in Hapeville, Georgia.
The Icedream® dessert’s delicious beginnings came in 1946, when Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy had just opened the Dwarf Grill (later named the Dwarf House® restaurant). It was an era of chrome counters and soda fountain culture, where a meal wasn’t complete without a cold treat at the end.
Always an innovator, Truett was looking for a dessert that fit his high standards for quality and flavor, but with a unique texture – something lighter and more refreshing than traditional ice cream.
From the Chick-fil-A, Inc. Archives, an Icedream advertisement circa late 1970s.
When Truett tasted it, he knew he had something special. Eventually, Truett gave it a name that perfectly described the experience of eating it: Icedream.
A Classic Foundation
“Food is essential to life, therefore make it good,” Truett often said. For nearly 80 years, this recipe has remained the “sweet foundation” of the Chick-fil-A® menu. Whether served in a simple cone or a cup, an Icedream® dessert has always been a way for Team Members to deliver a smile alongside a meal, embodying the brand’s commitment to caring for people through food.
From the Chick-fil-A, Inc. archives, a marketing image of Icedream appearing in a cone and cup.
Putting a Spin on It
While the recipe remains a classic, we have never stopped finding ways to put a twist on it. In 2006, the culinary team decided to take hand-spun for a spin, launching the famous Hand-Spun Milkshakes. By blending Icedream® dessert with quality ingredients, they created a thicker, creamier experience that paved the way for modern favorites like the Frosted Lemonade.
Floating on Icedream®
This winter, we are returning to our roots and bringing soda fountain flavors to a new generation. On January 5, two new beverages platforms – inspired by nostalgic soda fountain
favorites – joined Chick-fil-A’s permanent menu, offering a fizzy, frosted and fun twist on the classic Icedream dessert:
- Frosted Sodas are hand-spun with Icedream® dessert and Guests’ choice of fountain beverage for a smooth, creamy treat with a retro twist.
- Floats are layered with soda and Icedream® dessert creating a fizzy, foamy treat that’s perfect for sipping or scooping.
- Core fountain flavors include Coca-Cola®, Dr Pepper® and Sprite®, with additional options like Fanta®, Powerade®, Hi-C®, Barq’s® Root Beer, Diet options and more at participating restaurant locations!
The latest permanent menu addition is a delicious reminder that while we love to shake, spin, and sip our way into new flavors, the legacy of quality started by Truett Cathy remains in every cup.
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