Big Gay Ice Cream
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and beverage |
| Founded | June 13, 2009 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Doug Quint, Bryan Petroff |
| Defunct | 2025 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Soft-serve ice cream cones, cups, specialty treats, packaged hard ice cream pints |
| Website | thebiggayicecream |
Big Gay Ice Cream (BGIC) is a New York City–originated business that initially operated as an ice cream truck. At its height, BGIC managed four retail outlets within New York City along with an additional store in Philadelphia. Founded by Doug Quint and Bryan Petroff, the brand focuses on offering soft-serve ice cream cones, cups, and specialty treats characterized by distinctive and inventive flavors and toppings. BGIC emerged as part of the gourmet and upscale food truck movement across the United States.
The company features an official theme song performed by Jane Wiedlin from The Go-Go's.
Name
The word gay in the company’s title signifies both the sexual identity of founders Doug Quint and Bryan Petroff and the traditional sense of "joyful." Quint explained: "If I weren't gay, I wouldn't call it the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck. And if I weren't happy, I wouldn't have the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck." The founders intended the name to be open to interpretation rather than explicitly political.
History
Doug Quint, who worked as a freelance classical bassoonist, was searching for a supplementary job during his summer breaks. A flautist acquaintance operating an ice cream truck encouraged him to start one as well. On June 13, 2009, Big Gay Ice Cream Truck made its debut at Brooklyn Pride in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. By 2011, the truck stopped regular service but continued to appear at select major events.
Following two years of mobile operations, Quint and Petroff launched their first fixed location—the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop—in Manhattan’s East Village. Approximately one year later, they opened a second venue in the West Village. In late 2014, a pop-up shop was established inside the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. The following year saw the introduction of a Philadelphia store at South and Broad Streets.
In 2015, the founders published Big Gay Ice Cream: Saucy Stories & Frozen Treats: Going All the Way with Ice Cream, which includes a foreword by Anthony Bourdain.
Rather than relying on conventional advertising methods, Big Gay Ice Cream has prioritized social media platforms to connect directly with customers. Quint and Petroff also actively blog about their entrepreneurial journey.
In 2017, the brand expanded its offerings by introducing packaged "hard" ice cream pints designed for retail convenience and grocery outlets.
In 2023, after a silent partner took control without consent, Quint initiated legal action to reclaim ownership.
The final Big Gay Ice Cream store ceased operations in 2025.
See also
- List of food trucks
- Genevieve Belleveau, performance artist and former operations manager of the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck
External links
- Official website