Turkey Hill Dairy
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and beverage |
| Founded | 1931 |
| Founder | Armor Frey |
| Headquarters | Conestoga, Pennsylvania , United States |
Area served | United States and internationally |
Key people | Quintin Frey (former president) |
| Products | Iced tea, ice cream, frozen treats, milk, fruit beverages |
| Owner | Peak Rock Capital (since 2019) |
| Website | www |
Turkey Hill Dairy, commonly known as Turkey Hill, is a prominent American brand specializing in iced tea, ice cream, and various frozen treats, distributed throughout the United States and internationally. The company is based in Conestoga, Pennsylvania and was owned by Kroger from 1985 until it was acquired by the private equity firm Peak Rock Capital in 2019.
Turkey Hill functions separately from Turkey Hill Minit Markets, a convenience store chain with over 260 locations across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, which carries Turkey Hill products.
In 2011, The Turkey Hill Experience was introduced in Columbia, Pennsylvania as an interactive attraction that highlights the company’s heritage along with its ice cream and iced tea manufacturing processes.
History
Established in 1931 amidst the Great Depression by farmer Armor Frey, Turkey Hill Dairy initially focused on selling bottled milk within the local community. The name "Turkey Hill" originates from "Turkey Hill Ridge," a designation given by the Conestoga Indians due to the presence of wild turkeys in the vicinity; this name was later adopted by the Frey family for their dairy operation.
In 1947, Armor Frey transferred ownership of the dairy to his sons Glen, Emerson, and Charles. The company expanded into ice cream production in 1954, initially serving Lancaster County. By 1981, Turkey Hill products reached Philadelphia retailers and rapidly expanded along the East Coast. Distribution further extended westward during the early 2000s to cities such as Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland. Currently, Turkey Hill iced teas are sold in 45 states while its ice cream reaches 43 states.
Ownership and leadership
The dairy and its associated stores were acquired by Dillons, a subsidiary of Kroger, in 1985. Despite this change in ownership, the Frey family continued to manage daily operations; Charles Frey, son of founder Armor Frey, held the position of president before passing leadership to Quintin Frey (Emerson Frey's son) in 1991. On May 28, 2013, Kroger Company announced that Quintin Frey would be retiring.
Wind turbines
In collaboration with PPL Renewable Energy and the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority in 2011, Turkey Hill invested in electricity generated by two General Electric wind turbines located on the Frey Farm landfill near its production facility. These turbines supply approximately one-quarter of Turkey Hill's yearly electricity requirements.
Products
By 2012, Turkey Hill Dairy had produced significant quantities of frozen dairy desserts, iced tea and other beverages, as well as milk. Since the turn of the millennium, Turkey Hill has consistently ranked among the top refrigerated iced tea brands nationwide and was recognized as the fourth-largest ice cream manufacturer in 2011,[1] trailing behind Nestlé, Unilever, and Wells' Dairy.
Ice cream
Turkey Hill presents a portfolio of 63 year-round and Limited Edition flavors across ice cream, frozen dairy dessert, and sherbet categories available in , , and sizes for retail outlets and ice cream parlors.[2] Their product range includes Premium Ice Cream, All Natural Ice Cream, No Sugar Added options, frozen dairy dessert (a vegetable oil-based alternative), as well as sherbet.[2]
Iced Tea
Turkey Hill offers a diverse selection of more than 20 iced tea flavors, available both seasonally and throughout the year. Their classic iced teas are crafted using cold bottling, transportation, and storage techniques designed to maintain product quality.
Additional Beverage Offerings
Beyond its ice cream products, Turkey Hill's portfolio includes fruit beverages such as lemonade and fruit punch, a variety of milk products—including fat-free, 1% low-fat, 2% reduced-fat, whole milk, and 1% low-fat chocolate milk—and a seasonal egg nog option that is distributed during the Christmas period.
Collaborations and Sponsorships
Turkey Hill Dairy has teamed up with brands like Snyder's of Hanover, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, and Tootsie Roll Industries' Junior Mints to develop ice cream flavors inspired by these partner products.
Historically, the company has engaged in partnerships with professional sports organizations such as the Lancaster Stormers, Camden Riversharks, and York Revolution of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Other former sports collaborations include associations with Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union, Major League Baseball teams like the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees, as well as the National Football League franchises Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers. These alliances often resulted in officially licensed team-themed ice cream varieties.
Turkey Hill Experience
The Turkey Hill Experience is an interactive attraction located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, dedicated to presenting the history of Turkey Hill Dairy alongside its ice cream and iced tea production processes. Established in June 2011, this facility is situated in Columbia, Pennsylvania, approximately six miles from the main manufacturing plant in Conestoga, Pennsylvania.
Exhibits and Interactive Features
Designed for visitors of all ages, this engaging venue showcases exhibits that detail Turkey Hill Dairy’s heritage and production methods. Guests can experiment by creating virtual ice cream flavors or participate in filming a Turkey Hill commercial using green-screen technology. The introduction of the Turkey Hill Taste Lab exhibit in June 2013 has further enriched the visitor experience.
Historical Background
The Turkey Hill Experience occupies a former Ashley and Bailey silk mill building, part of which dates back to 1899. Over time, the structure underwent various ownership changes and functional adaptations before being left vacant in the late 1970s following Tidy Products’ departure from its use as a sewing factory.
After remaining unused for more than 25 years, Turkey Hill partnered with a developer to restore and repurpose the facility.
Two other Ashley and Bailey silk mill buildings located in West York and Marietta, Pennsylvania, have been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- 1985 mergers and acquisitions
- 1931 establishments in Pennsylvania
- 2019 mergers and acquisitions
- American companies established in 1931
- Companies based in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
- Drink companies of the United States
- Food and drink companies based in Pennsylvania
- Food and drink companies established in 1931
- Ice cream brands
- Iced tea brands
- Kroger
- Retail companies established in 1931
- Culture of Pennsylvania
- Pages with reference errors