New Zealand has perfect conditions and dairy pastures for making the finest ice cream and the company began as a small ice creamery in Christchurch in 1984. The brand quickly became famed for ice cream with no artificial colours or flavours.
But it wasn't until the founder met Rael Polivnick, a South African entrepreneur, on an international flight that the brand was transformed into a global favourite. Polivnick put the first branded ice cream parlour on the map at Bondi, a popular beach in Sydney, Australia. From there, the South African developed the franchising model that has helped the business grow into a multinational success story. Today the company has a network of 700 branded ice cream parlours in 25 countries.
"Our vision is to be recognised internationally as a world class producer of choice and to become a global, iconic brand," says export manager Fraser Brown.
Today, NZ entrepreneur Diane Foreman and family own the company. Foreman, winner of the 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year believes that you should never compromise on quality and is passionate about the brand. "It is exciting to be expanding into South Africa, which has such a close affinity with New Zealand. Hopefully, it won't be too long before you can wander along the beaches of Durban and Cape Town with one of our hokey pokey ice creams in your hand."
Says master franchisee, Koogan Naidoo, "We are delighted to have broken new ground in South Africa by opening our first ice cream parlour in Menlyn. This is the start of a long term vision, as we hope to further stimulate trade and investment opportunities between New Zealand and South Africa."
The staff were privileged to be trained by Terry Morris, global trainer and former title-holder of The Guinness World Record for the most ice cream scoops on a single cone.
