Crispy Cones on 'Shark Tank': Grilled rotisserie-style ice-cream cones set to shake up dessert industry
REXBURG, IDAHO: The state of Idaho has been graced with the arrival of the pioneering dessert establishment, Crispy Cones. This innovative eatery has taken the traditional ice cream cone and elevated it to a new level of excellence, with its signature creation quickly becoming the talk of the town. For those who have yet to experience the magic of a Crispy Cone, it is a freshly-baked dough cone that is expertly grilled in the style of a rotisserie, before being lavishly coated with a blend of cinnamon and sugar. This delightful creation can then be filled to the brim with a variety of sumptuous fillings, ranging from rich hazelnut chocolate to velvety smooth cookie butter, or even indulgent gourmet soft-serve ice cream.
The brilliant minds behind this culinary sensation are Kaitlyn and Jeremy Carlson, proud owners of the beloved Rexburg-based eatery. The couple firmly believes that their crispy and crunchy cones, which have become a firm favorite among the locals, are poised to take the dessert industry by storm. In fact, it seems that the excitement surrounding Crispy Cones is already making waves beyond the confines of Idaho. The Carlsons were recently presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their delectable treats on 'Shark Tank', after applying in January 2022. They were ecstatic to have been selected to appear in Episode 17, viewing the experience as a fun and exciting adventure. With their innovative product in the spotlight, the sky is truly the limit for the future of Crispy Cones.
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The product was featured on ABC's 'Shark Tank' on Friday, March 17, 2023. The couple will pitch this innovative dessert before the Sharks - Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner, and Robert Herjavec. We'll have to wait and see whether any of the Sharks take the bait for this intriguing proposal, but in the meantime, you can learn everything you need to know about Crispy Cones and its founders.
What is Crispy Cones?
Crispy Cones, a franchise specializing in soft-serve ice cream, has already become a beloved treat among dessert enthusiasts. With its high-quality ingredients and irresistible flavors, it already boasts a fanbase throughout Europe as a local favorite. The origins of this mouth-watering enterprise can be traced back to 2018 when Jeremy Carlson began selling his soft-serve ice creams from a humble roadside stand in Rexburg. As word of mouth spread, more and more people flocked to his stand each week, eager to taste the latest flavors on offer.
The overwhelming response prompted Carlson to take the next step in his culinary journey: in February 2022, he proudly opened the doors to his very own store in Rexburg. The signature Crispy Cone is a work of art, crafted from fresh dough that is grilled rotisserie-style to create a crisp and crunchy exterior. The cone is then coated with a generous layer of cinnamon and sugar or crushed Oreos, adding a touch of sweetness and texture to the overall experience. From there, customers are free to customize their cones with a variety of spreads, gourmet soft-serve ice cream, fresh fruit, and an array of mouth-watering toppings. It's a sensory delight that has captured the hearts and taste buds of dessert lovers everywhere.
At Crispy Cones, they've got your cone cravings covered with an all-encompassing menu that will blow your mind! Every cone starts with the classic OG base, but the toppings, spreads, and sauces are where the magic happens. Indulge in mouth-watering spreads like Nutella, cookie butter, and peanut butter, or mix it up with toppings such as Oreos, pretzels, almonds, KitKat, cookie dough, Graham crackers, Health Bar, Almond Joy, Biscoff cookies, fresh fruits. That's not all - The ice cream selection is just as amazing, with classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate, and a weekly special that changes every month. As of March, the special flavor is the delicious Pistachio. And let's talk about the sauces: you can drizzle your cone with Nutella, cookie butter, raspberry, or caramel.
Who are the founders of Crispy Cones?
The seeds of inspiration for Crispy Cones were planted during a two-year mission trip in the Czech Republic, where founders Jeremy and Kaitlyn Carlson had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the country's unique culture and traditions. It was there that Jeremy was introduced to the Czechs' take on ice cream pastries, and he was immediately captivated by the delicious combination of flavors and textures. Upon returning to the United States, Jeremy was determined to bring a taste of the Czech Republic back home with him. He began experimenting with different recipes and techniques, working tirelessly to perfect the art of creating the perfect dough cone that could hold its own against the Czech original. After countless hours of trial and error, Jeremy's efforts finally paid off: he had developed a recipe that was not only true to the Czech tradition but also uniquely his own. And with that, Crispy Cones was born. Today, the franchise stands as a testament to Jeremy's passion for food and his commitment to sharing the flavors of the world with his fellow Americans.
Kaitlyn Carlson, a skilled photographer and marketing specialist, has established her expertise in various areas such as social media, content creation, and public relations campaigns. Additionally, she has honed her craft in videography, design, and digital media creation. Now, she holds the esteemed title of chief marketing officer for Crispy Cones, a company based in Utah. In this role, she has been instrumental in creating compelling content for social media through stunning photography and engaging video content. Her expertise also extends to crafting captivating captions that promote the product and meticulously planning an aesthetically pleasing Instagram feed. Moreover, she has played a crucial role in boosting the brand's visibility through ad promotions for posts and conducting Instagram giveaways that not only increased awareness of the company but also fostered engagement with the audience. Her efforts have been fruitful, leading to an increase in followers by over 1,000 in just six months. Kaitlyn's success in her role is a testament to her Bachelor's degree in Communication and Media Studies, which she earned from Brigham Young University.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Carlson, the co-founder and CEO of Crispy Cones, has a compelling story of his own. He built his small business from scratch while still in his dorm room in college, and has since grown it into a thriving enterprise. After completing his studies at Brigham Young University in Idaho, he is now pursuing his education at the Jon M Huntsman School of Business, where he is specializing in marketing and is set to graduate this year. Jeremy is currently focused on the success of his business and his studies, with the hope that his degree will help him further expand the Crispy Cones brand.
What is the cost and where to buy Crispy Cones from?
You can get a taste of this dessert from their store in Rexburg, Idaho, and Logan, Utah. Dessert lovers can also opt for pickup and home delivery. The company also has a series of t-shirts and stickers that are sold on its official website. At Crispy Cones, they believe that a delicious cone shouldn't cost an arm and a leg. That's why their prices are super reasonable, with ice creams priced at just $7.59 and hot cones at $6.49 - and that's inclusive of your choice of spread, sauce, and toppings! But that's not all. Crispy Cones also offers military discounts, as a way of saying thank you to those who serve our country. And if you're looking for a sweet gift for a friend or a loved one, they have gift cards available too.
They have also quickly garnered a lot of Yelp reviews in their business tenure. One user said, "I've had the Czech Republic versions of these (trdelnik), and these are just as delicious!” while another wrote, " I love this concept so much! Generally, I'm not a one to order cones with my ice cream. However, this cone is so yumm and tastes like a churro. The options for the fillings were so hard to choose from because they all sound so good. I really think it is awesome they offer a fruit option to replace soft serve. The girls working there were so nice and helpful. Overall, this is such a great gem in Rexburg."
Where is Crispy Cones now?
In 2018, Crispy Cones made its debut as a humble food booth. However, it wasn't long before word of its tantalizing offerings spread like wildfire, and the business swiftly amassed a loyal following of locals. As time passed, the brand's popularity grew exponentially, leading to a steady expansion in size and reach. Although the estimated revenue for this company is below $5M, presently there are eleven thriving Crispy Cones franchise locations that span across the sun-kissed states of Arizona and Utah. The brand's reach is further strengthened by its two bustling corporate offices, strategically situated in Rexburg and Logan, Utah. These offices serve as the nerve center of the business, driving its success by providing critical support, innovation, and leadership to the franchisees. Apart from ice cream sales, the company also generates a sizable revenue from their merchandises sold on its official website. Indeed, Crispy Cones' story is a testament to the power of a great idea coupled with unrelenting hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
Who will steal the deal?
Crispy Cones has the potential to be a revolutionary dessert. But the couple-founders may face difficulties in garnering franchises and more sales in the future if the product gets duplicated by competitors. But, the Sharks, especially Mark Cuban, may just appreciate this dessert and be ready to make a deal, as he has a track record of investing in food companies on 'Shark Tank'.
'Shark Tank' Season 14 Episode 17 will air on ABC on Friday, March 17, at 8 pm ET. Catch the latest episode featuring products like Autio, Tngnt Ski Bikes, Chubby Buttons, and Crispy Cones.