Baskin-Robbins Australia
| File:Baskin-Robbins logo.svg Logo since April 2022 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and beverage |
| Founded | January 1, 1945 in Glendale, California, U.S. |
| Founder | Burt Baskin, Irv Robbins |
| Headquarters | Canton, Massachusetts , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Ice cream, cakes |
| Owner | Inspire Brands |
| Parent | Inspire Brands |
| Website | www |
Baskin-Robbins, Inc. is a global American franchise specializing in ice cream and cake, currently owned by Inspire Brands. Established in 1945 by Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins in Glendale, California, its main office is located in Canton, Massachusetts, where it shares facilities with its sister company, Dunkin' Donuts. It holds the distinction of being the largest ice cream specialty retailer worldwide, boasting more than 7,800 outlets.
The brand is famously associated with the "31 flavors" tagline, symbolizing the concept that customers could enjoy a different flavor each day of the month. Its emblem incorporates a creative "31" design formed by the letters "B" and "R". This memorable slogan was created by the Carson-Roberts advertising agency in 1953. Since its inception, Baskin-Robbins has developed over 1,400 unique flavors, including the introduction of vegan and dairy-free varieties in 2019.
History
During the 1940s in Southern California, brothers-in-law Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins each operated separate ice cream shops. Robbins brought experience from working in his father’s ice cream business, while Baskin had served producing ice cream during his time in the Navy in World War II. At that period, American consumers primarily preferred three standard flavors: chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.
In 1945, Robbins founded Snowbird Ice Cream in Glendale, California, offering an unprecedented selection of 21 flavors. The following year, Baskin opened Burton's Ice Cream Shop in Pasadena. By 1948, the pair collectively managed six stores, which expanded to over 40 locations by 1949. That same year, they purchased a dairy facility in Burbank to oversee their production process directly.
The two entrepreneurs consolidated their brands in 1953 under the guidance of advertising agency Carson/Roberts, launching "Baskin-Robbins 31 Ice Cream," a name highlighting their lineup of 31 flavors—one for each day of the month. Early offerings included Chocolate Mint, Black Walnut, and Coffee Candy. They initiated franchising efforts and introduced distinctive marketing elements such as pink and brown polka dot décor and sampling spoons to boost customer interaction.
From 1949 until 1962, the enterprise operated under the name Huntington Ice Cream Company before reverting to Baskin-Robbins, Inc. In 1967, shortly before Burt Baskin’s passing, United Fruit Company acquired Baskin-Robbins for approximately $12 million. During the 1970s, the company expanded internationally into countries including Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Australia.
Baskin-Robbins became a publicly traded company in 1972 when United Brands sold a 17% stake via an IPO. The subsequent year saw British food firm J. Lyons and Co. acquire Baskin-Robbins from United Brands and public investors. In 1978, J. Lyons merged with Allied Breweries to form Allied-Lyons; this entity later combined with Pedro Domecq S.A. in 1994 to create Allied Domecq. Baskin-Robbins joined forces with Dunkin' Donuts under Dunkin' Brands, which Allied Domecq owned until private equity groups—including Bain Capital, Thomas H. Lee Partners, and The Carlyle Group—purchased it in 2006.
In that same year, Baskin-Robbins refreshed its logo to subtly integrate the number "31" within the "BR" monogram, emphasizing its hallmark variety of flavors.
By August 2012, Dunkin' Brands separated from private equity ownership. After facing challenges earlier in the decade, Baskin-Robbins launched 36 new outlets between 2013 and 2015, frequently co-locating with Dunkin' Donuts stores—such as California's inaugural combined location in San Diego (2014).
In 2014, Baskin-Robbins broadened its presence by introducing packaged ice cream products into supermarkets nationwide. In July 2017, they collaborated with delivery service DoorDash to provide ice cream delivery across 22 U.S. metropolitan areas.
Dunkin' Brands was acquired by Inspire Brands in December 2020. On April 11, 2022, Baskin-Robbins unveiled an updated logo along with a new slogan: "Seize the Yay."
Among its notable former employees are filmmaker Chris Buck and former U.S. President Barack Obama.
International footprint
By 2017, Baskin-Robbins had established more than 8,000 outlets worldwide, spanning countries such as Aruba, Australia, Bahrain, Bhutan, Canada, China, Colombia, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Egypt, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tajikistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Yemen. The brand customizes its offerings to suit regional preferences with unique flavors like Red Bean and Litchi Gold. In Asian markets specifically, Mint Chocolate Chip and Cookies & Cream are among the most favored selections.
Previously, Baskin-Robbins maintained operations in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Malta, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, the Philippines,[1] Portugal, Russia, South Africa and St. Maarten.
Although there are no dedicated stores in Cambodia and Bangladesh, Baskin-Robbins products are distributed through partnerships with local businesses.
In Japan, Taiwan, China and the Philippines the brand is often recognized simply as "31" or "31 ice cream".
Australia
Baskin-Robbins Australia operates as a fully owned subsidiary under Inspire Brands. Following the dissolution of its licensing arrangement with Allied Brands Group in October 2010 due to that company’s failure, Dunkin' Brands took over direct support for Australian franchisees. The Franchise Support & Training Centre for Australia is based in Brisbane.
Ireland
Baskin-Robbins launched its presence in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland markets in 2015 with an initial rollout of eight locations.
See also
External links
-
- Baskin Robbins Australia
- Baskin Robbins Japan (corporate entity: “B-R 31 ICE CREAM CO., LTD.“)
- Baskin Robbins Middle East
- ↑ One last scoop: Baskin-Robbins to close down permanently in PH
- Baskin–Robbins family
- 1945 establishments in California
- 2020 mergers and acquisitions
- Canton, Massachusetts
- Companies based in Glendale, California
- Companies based in Norfolk County, Massachusetts
- Fast-food chains of the United States
- Fast-food franchises
- Ice cream brands
- Ice cream parlors in the United States
- Ice cream parlors
- Inspire Brands
- Restaurant chains in Singapore
- Restaurants established in 1945
- Specialty food shops in Singapore
- Dairy products companies of Australia