The Camarillo opening marks a milestone year for the 81-year-old brand, which has signed a record 75 new unit agreements in 2026.
- Handel's Ice Cream opens 200th location in California.
- Record expansion year; more new parlors in 2026 than ever.
- Handel's attributes success to strong unit-level economics.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream has opened its 200th location, reaching the milestone with a new parlor in Camarillo, California. The November 12 opening marks a significant point in the brand’s expansion and adds another location to its California network, which now has 70 parlors. The restaurant is operated by franchisees Scott and Vanessa Sonnenberg, who also own locations in Stevenson Ranch and Sand Canyon.
The milestone comes during the strongest development year in the company’s history. From January through November 2026, Handel’s signed agreements for 75 new units, exceeding the number of commitments recorded during all of 2025. The company expects to open 35 new parlors by year-end and has entered additional states, including Florida, Idaho and Washington. Most of the new agreements have involved multi-unit operators, while existing franchisees have continued to invest in additional locations.
Handel’s attributes its growth to a straightforward product and service model: ice cream made fresh in each store, generous portions and accessible prices. CEO Jennifer Schuler pointed to 11 consecutive years of systemwide same-store sales growth as evidence of the model’s resilience amid inflation and changing consumer spending habits. For the Sonnenbergs, the Camarillo restaurant is their third Handel’s location, with another parlor planned for Simi Valley in 2027.
The company reported average unit volume of $1.1 million in 2025 and parlor-level EBITDA of 20.3% in 2024. The figures cover different reporting periods and groups of franchised locations. The average unit volume calculation included 144 franchised parlors open for the full 2025 calendar year, with 41% meeting or exceeding the reported average. The EBITDA figure was based on 91 franchised parlors operating throughout 2024, with 46% reaching or surpassing that result. These figures are not guarantees of future performance. For franchise operators evaluating their own locations, Benchmarking capabilities available through Gorilla Dash can help organize performance comparisons and identify differences across a network.
Key Facts:
| Milestone Location | Handel's Ice Cream is opening its 200th location in Camarillo, California, on November 12. |
|---|---|
| Expansion Record | 2026 marks a record expansion year with more new parlors opened than in any previous year. |
| Economic Resilience | Despite inflation and economic uncertainty, Handel’s thrives by maintaining simple, affordable offerings. |
| Strong Unit Economics | Ranked among the best within the sweet treats category for economics, boasting a $1.1 million average unit volume in 2025. |
| Franchise Success | 75 new unit agreements signed in 2026, surpassing previous yearly records and expanding into new states. |
| Franchisee Growth | Franchisees Scott and Vanessa Sonnenberg open their third location, with a fourth planned for 2027. |
Disclaimer:
If any facts in our articles are incorrect or you would like an article removed please email us at news@gorilladash.com.
