With summer just around the corner, temperatures are rising and more Americans are starting to think about how to beat the heat. And there are few more enjoyable ways to cool off than that sweet, icy classic: ice cream.
Ice cream is ubiquitous in the United States and enjoyed by nearly 90% of Americans, according to the Simmons National Consumer Survey. Ice cream manufacturers in the United States produce more than 1.38 billion gallons of ice cream annually, enough for the typical American to eat approximately 20 pounds per year. And the bulk of all this ice cream production and consumption occurs in the warmest months of the year.
America’s seasonal taste for ice cream
Interest in ice cream in the US is highly seasonal, typically peaking in July.
Source: Trace One analysis of Google Trends data
According to Google Trends data, ice cream search interest (ice cream-related searches as a proportion of total searches) is highly seasonal, with major spikes occurring during the warmer months and typically peaking in July. But year-round search interest has also increased in recent years, even though the U.S. ice cream market is growing at about the same rate as the overall economy. One reason for this growth in search volume may be that consumers today have more options than ever to enjoy as a greater variety of products enter the market. Whether it’s premium ingredients, non-dairy options, organic and sustainable dairy, or simply new additions, ice cream lovers have many more options to explore today than in years past.
Top searches related to ice cream
Americans look for both local and national brands.
Source: Trace One analysis of Google Trends data
Consumers are finding ways to enjoy ice cream both at home and at their favorite local ice cream shops, salons and dairies. In fact, many leading national ice cream brands are decades old (or more) and started as small, local operations. Brands like Tillamook in Oregon, Ben & Jerry’s in Vermont and Blue Bell in Texas are still closely associated with the places where they originated, even as their distribution has expanded nationwide. However, because most of these domestic producers do not have a large number of their own stores, the ice cream market leaves plenty of room for local stores to help consumers get their fix.
Top national ice cream brands by state
Blue Bell is the most searched national ice cream brand in 22 states
Source: Trace One analysis of Google Trends data
Across the United States, one ice cream brand stands out for its national appeal: Blue Bell. Although the Texas-based company did not expand beyond its home state until the 1980s, Blue Bell has become one of America’s top brands in the decades since. Of the most popular national brands, Blue Bell is the most searched in 22 states, primarily in the South and Midwest. This is more than the next two most searched brands, Baskin-Robbins (9) and Tillamook (8), combined.
While Baskin-Robbins finds popularity in select areas of the West and Midwest, Tillamook’s appeal is concentrated in the Pacific Northwest, near its headquarters in Oregon. Ben & Jerry’s, headquartered in Burlington, VT, holds the honor of being the most sought-after national ice cream brand in all six New England states. Similarly, New Jersey-based Breyers leads popularity in its home state and New York, while Pennsylvania-based Turkey Hill is the top national brand in both Pennsylvania and Delaware.
When considering local and regional brands, 38 states demonstrate a preference for brands that are most popular in a single state. For example, Van Leeuwen—which started as an ice cream truck in New York City—is the most popular brand in New York state alone, just as HEB—based in San Antonio—is the most popular brand in Texas and no other. state.
However, there are four regional brands that earn the most popular distinction in several states. Bruster’s and Andy’s Frozen Custard are popular in several southern states, Graeter’s leads the Ohio Valley region, and Braum’s is most popular in both Arkansas and Oklahoma.
This analysis was conducted by Trace One, a company specializing in software for retailers and CPG manufacturers, using data from Google Trends. Researchers analyzed Google Trends data for the 12-month period ending April 2024. The top national brand in each state represents the one that accounted for the largest share of total Google searches relative to the other national brands. The top regional brand in each state represents the most searched regional or local brand during the same period.
Here is a summary of the data from Kentucky.:
- Most popular national brand: blue bell
- Most popular regional brand: Graeter’s Ice Cream Co.
For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, see The Most Popular Ice Cream Brand in Every State on Trace One.
Keynote USA
For the Latest Local News, Follow Keynote USA Local on Twitter.