First 50 guests in line will receive FREE Ice Cream for a Year on June 11
SAN DIEGO, CA, June 01, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ — Handel’s Ice Cream, the beloved brand serving premium ice cream since 1945, is officially expanding its footprint in San Diego with a brand-new location at 2100 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, California 92101, in the heart of the iconic Little Italy. The scoop shop will celebrate its Grand Opening on Thursday, June 11. To commemorate the occasion, starting at 11:00 a.m., the first 50 customers in line will receive Free Ice Cream for a Year, and throughout the day, guests can look forward to exciting giveaways and promotional surprises.
The Little Italy location is owned and operated by local residents Joshua Barton, Dianna Barton, and Sam Nord. This opening marks their sixth Handel’s location in greater San Diego.
“We chose Handel’s because we love the ice cream. It’s a simple concept, but the quality, portion size, and value really stand out,” said Joshua Barton, Co-owner of the Little Italy Handel’s Ice Cream. “Handel’s has been around since 1945, and the process has stayed the same, everything is made fresh in the store daily in small batches. We are excited to bring that experience into the vibrant neighborhood of Little Italy.”
Josh and Dianna Barton are long-time San Diego residents and multi-unit franchise operators with over a decade of experience in franchising and restaurant operations. Alongside them is Sam Nord, who is originally from Northeast Ohio where Handel’s was founded. Sam has dedicated over 10 years to the Handel’s brand and has brought his experience and deep knowledge of the company to San Diego as part of the group’s continued expansion throughout the region. Together, the group has opened and operated five other Handel’s locations across San Diego. Their approach to growing the brand has centered around the same principles Handel’s was built on—a tradition of craftsmanship, commitment to community, and spirit of generosity.
The team is deeply embedded in the San Diego community, working closely with local schools, sports teams, and organizations through fundraising and catering. They are also proud partners with SDSU Athletics, frequently supporting the Aztecs at Snapdragon Stadium and Viejas Arena.
The new 1,383-square-foot walk-up location will be open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and will offer 48 rotating flavors, pickup and delivery via DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Postmates, and catering services.
For more information about Handel’s Little Italy, visit https://handelsicecream.com/store/little-italy or follow them on Instagram at @HandelsSanDiegoSouth.
About Handel’s Ice Cream
Handel’s Ice Cream has been making and selling ice cream since 1945. Founded in Youngstown, Ohio, the legacy of Handel’s began with Alice Handel. The brand was later purchased by Lenny Fisher, and what started as a single ice cream parlor has now grown into a beloved brand nationwide. Handel’s is committed to quality, using abundant ingredients to create their ice cream, which is made by hand in small batches at each location. They offer 48 flavors every day, with more than 140 additional flavors that rotate seasonally.
Handel’s has earned numerous industry accolades, including being ranked the #1 Sweet Treat and a Top 10 Brand to Buy by Franchise Times. The brand is also featured on the publication’s Top 400 list of the largest franchise systems in the United States and its Fast & Serious list recognizing the smartest-growing franchises of the year. Additionally, Handel’s was recognized on Fast Casual’s Movers & Shakers 2026 list, while CEO Jennifer Schuler was named among the Top 25 Industry Executives for her leadership and innovation in foodservice. The brand is also recognized as a Top 500 Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine.
Handel’s currently has over 175 locations across 20 states and is growing. To learn more about Handel’s franchise opportunities, visit https://www.facebook.com/handelshomemadeicecream.
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