Chicecream
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food manufacturing |
| Founded | 14 March 2018 |
| Founder | Lin Sheng |
| Defunct | June 6, 2025 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy |
| Headquarters | Shanghai , China |
Area served | China |
Key people | Lin Sheng (Founder and CEO) |
| Products | Ice cream, dumplings, cakes |
Zhongxuegao Food (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., known commercially as Chicecream, was a Chinese ice cream manufacturer based in Shanghai from 2018 until 2025, distinguished by its strategy of premium pricing. The brand marketed its ice cream as a luxury item, commanding prices exceeding standard market rates by more than fivefold. In June 2025, the company initiated bankruptcy proceedings in a Shanghai district court.
Brand identity
Chicecream positioned itself as the "Hermes of ice cream," emphasizing its high-end market stance. By 2021, the price range for its ice cream bars was generally between 13 and 18 RMB, with a flagship "Ecuador Pink" cocoa popsicle retailing at 66 RMB—far surpassing the typical 2 to 8 RMB range seen among competitors. Founder and CEO Lin Sheng credited these elevated prices to the use of expensive imported ingredients such as yuzu.
The brand promoted its offerings as naturally made with low sugar and fat content, targeting primarily young adults aged 26 to 37—especially women—with a secondary focus on consumers aged 18 to 25, based on e-commerce analytics.
History
Established in Shanghai on March 14, 2018, by entrepreneur and CEO Lin Sheng (), who had a background in advertising, Chicecream introduced its initial six products on May 20, 2018. It was a pioneer in China's domestic premium ice cream sector, challenging foreign brands like Häagen-Dazs and elevating the status of local brands beyond the traditionally lower-tier reputation associated with companies such as Mengniu and Yili.
The company prioritized online retail channels and utilized endorsements from internet celebrities, including well-known influencer Li Jiaqi, to rapidly increase brand visibility. It became one of the most frequently searched items on Xiaohongshu, establishing a strong presence across digital platforms.
In 2019, regulatory authorities in Shanghai imposed fines on the company for misleading advertising related to product ingredients. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains, particularly affecting imports of aged Irish cheese used in certain products; however, it simultaneously boosted online sales due to a surge in e-commerce activity.
In May 2021, Chicecream raised 200 million RMB through Series A funding aimed at reinforcing its premium market positioning and supporting expansion efforts. Nevertheless, during the summer of 2022, the brand became embroiled in controversy over claims that its ice cream bars resisted melting under heat. Viral videos demonstrated that the products retained their shape even at temperatures above 31°C, prompting consumer concerns about additives such as preservatives or coagulating agents like carrageenan. The company explained that this texture resulted from a high solid particle concentration combined with low water content, assuring compliance with national frozen dessert standards (GB/T 31119-2014) and pledging full cooperation with ongoing investigations.
On June 6, 2025, Chicecream filed for bankruptcy at the Shanghai City Yangpu District People's Court, marking a major downturn for the once-leading premium ice cream startup.
Products
Chicecream's product lineup includes more than ten distinct ice cream flavors, such as:
- Ecuador pink (厄瓜多尔粉钻)
- Ghana black gold (加纳黑金)
- Hand-crafted jasmine (手煮茉莉)
- Aged Irish cheese (爱尔兰陈年干酪)
- Salted coconut (海盐椰椰)
- Semi-opportunism (半巧主义)
- Velvet cocoa (丝绒可可)
The design of its ice cream bars draws inspiration from traditional Chinese roof tiles, featuring a top shaped like the character 回 ("return"). Collaborating with skincare brand Xiaoxiandun (小仙炖), Chicecream developed an ice cream infused with edible bird's nests, renowned for their skin-enhancing properties. In addition to frozen treats, the company also offers premium dumplings and cakes.
While e-commerce remained its primary sales channel, Chicecream maintained physical retail locations in cities including Chengdu, Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.