“Being named ‘Best National Ice Cream’ by the readers of Long Island Press is a huge honor,” says Lori Peterson, Vice President of Marketing for Carvel. “Since 1934, our focus has been to make guests happy by hand making the best ice cream treats possible. It’s nice to know that our efforts are still being recognized 78 years later.”

This is the 6^th year the Long Island Press has conducted their Best of Long Island awards. Carvel was also named “Best National Ice Cream” in 2008 and 2010. Best of Long Island 2011 hits newsstands and the Internet (www.longislandpress.com) January 12^th.

WOODLAND PARK, NJ (October 5, 2011) – Attention all ice cream lovers! America’s freshest ice cream is wowing customers with a new self-serve concept in Woodland Park, New Jersey. Come try this first-of-its-kind Carvel test featuring 8 delicious Carvelite™ low fat ice cream flavors along with 40 different toppings. With the same Carvel taste you know and love but only 35 calories/ounce, run – don’t walk – to create your own unique guilt-free sundae! 

To mark this huge milestone, Woodland Park Carvel will hold a Grand Opening celebration Saturday, October 15^th from 10 am to 10 pm at 1045 McBride Avenue. Featuring unbeatable in-store specials and product samples, including a Buy One, Get One FREE offer on all Carvelite™ novelty take home items all day, don’t miss out on what’s sure to be a great party! Come at 3 pm to watch as Fudgie the Whale and Woodland Park Mayor Pat Lepore cut the ribbon on the new shoppe. And, don’t forget to enter our raffle contest! Three people will go home with unbelievable prizes, including a flat screen television, iPod Touch or voucher to enjoy a free Carvel ice cream each month for a year! Winners will be selected at 10 pm.

“We’ve been in business almost 25 years, and couldn’t be more excited about offering our loyal and new guests a completely new Carvel experience,” says shoppe owner Irene Macones. “No other Carvel in the country is currently set up to accommodate a self-serve platform. We want to celebrate this milestone in a grand way, and can’t wait to hear what our fans think of being able to create their own delicious – yet better for you – Carvel treats with the flavors and toppings of their choice!”

The day will also support an important cause. A breast cancer survivor and champion, Macones will donate 20% of her gross sales to the American Cancer Society.

Guests who prefer a traditional Carvel experience can still enjoy Woodland Park Carvel’s full service side. To reach this shoppe, please call 973-256-3701. 

About CarvelIce Cream

The United States’ first retail ice cream franchise, Carvel Ice Cream has become one of the best-loved and most recognized names in its industry. The company is a leading provider of premium soft serve and hand dipped ice cream products, as well as uniquely shaped ice cream cakes, including its signature Fudgie the Whale and Cookie Puss cakes. Atlanta-based Carvel currently operates over 500 franchised and food service locations, and is a part of FOCUS Brands, Inc. the franchisor of Carvel^® Ice Cream, Cinnabon^®, Schlotzsky’s^®, Moe’s Southwest Grill^®, Auntie Anne’s Pretzel’s®, and Seattle’s Best Coffee^® on military bases and in certain international markets.

Kelly Ripa’s husband and Live! guest co-host Mark Consuelos surprised his wife with a Carvel Fudgie the Whale birthday cake live on the air on Friday, September 30th. What a husband! Happy Birthday, Kelly!

A big thanks to our friends at WPIX-TV’s Morning News for the shout outs on Thursday, September 22nd. We had a great time sharing our new Lil’ Flying Saucers with commuters outside the studio, and appreciate you helping us spread word about Customer Appreciation Day!

 ATLANTA, GA (September 1, 2011) – Carvel is celebrating you – our out of this world fans – and the launch of our new Lil’ Flying Saucers™ with a FREE giveaway event Thursday, September 22^nd!  Simply stop by your local Carvel retail location any time that day to try a Lil’ Flying Saucer™ at no charge*. Consider it a small “saucer” of thanks for your year-round support!

Featuring our premium vanilla soft serve ice cream and classic chocolate cookie wafer, Carvel’s new Lil’ Flying Saucer™ has all the goodness of our famous Flying Saucer® only in a smaller, more convenient size. Even better, when made with our delicious Carvelite™  low fat ice cream, each Lil’ Flying Saucer™ contains only 100 calories, making it the perfect guilt-free snack to take home!

Sold in packs of 18, Carvel’s new Lil’ Flying Saucers™ will be available at a special introductory price of $9.99 on September 22^nd only. For more information and photos, visit Carvel’s online newsroom at http://carvelicecream.wordpress.com/. Also, be sure to RSVP for the event on Carvel’s Facebook Fan Page.

*One Lil’ Flying Saucer ™per person. Not valid with any other offer. Offer good while supplies last only on September 22, 2011 at participating Carvel retail locations. 

About CarvelIce Cream

The United States’ first retail ice cream franchise, Carvel Ice Cream has become one of the best-loved and most recognized names in its industry. The company is a leading provider of premium soft serve and hand dipped ice cream products, as well as uniquely shaped ice cream cakes, including its signature Fudgie the Whale and Cookie Puss cakes. Atlanta-based Carvel currently operates over 500 franchised and food service locations, and is a part of FOCUS Brands, Inc. the franchisor of Carvel^® Ice Cream, Cinnabon^®, Schlotzsky’s^®, Moe’s Southwest Grill^®, Auntie Anne’s Pretzel’s®, and Seattle’s Best Coffee^® on military bases and in certain international markets.

ARLINGTON, VA (September 2, 2011) – On the 10^th anniversary of the September 11^th terrorist attacks, Carvel Arlington would like to honor those who risk their lives on a daily basis to protect and serve others. Responders from the Metropolitan Police, District of Columbia Fire & EMS Department, Arlington County Police, Arlington County Fire & EMS Department and United States Pentagon Police are invited to visit the shoppe anytime this Sunday, September 11^th to enjoy a FREE ice cream.

“I am so proud to live in a country where we have such heroic people committed to keeping us safe,” says Carvel Arlington owner Tuhin Ahmed. “This is just a small way for me to honor these heroes and let them know that their sacrifices are appreciated.”

Simply show your badge at Carvel Arlington located at 3322 Wilson Boulevard to redeem this offer.

Rehoboth Beach, DE (September 1, 2011) –  Guests in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware can now enjoy a delicious Carvel Ice Cream treat with their favorite burrito, chips and salsa!  Moe’s Southwest Grill Delaware recently welcomed Carvel to their Rehoboth Beach location at the Shops at Seacoast Shopping Center (19266 Coastal Highway).

This location is one of three for Moe’s restaurant local owner Jim Morrisey. Recently featured in Delaware’s Cape Gazette, Jim says he and his family hope that adding sundaes, soft-serve ice cream and milkshakes to their menu will provide their Guests with a more complete dining experience.

The Rehoboth Beach location is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.  For more information, call 302-226-4266 or visit www.moesde.com.

Hosted at current FOCUS locations, these informal, hands-on events will allow attendees to tour a current store, meeting with a development team member first-hand to see how these businesses operate, and hear the success stories of current franchisees.

Company plans call for 30 Carvel and 10 Cinnabon locations over the next two years in the Boston area, as well as 20 Carvel and 10 Cinnabon locations over the next two years throughout Hartford. The openings would bring hundreds of new part-and-full time jobs to these areas.

After more than 75 years in business, Carvel continues to build upon its rich heritage as the nation’s first retail ice cream chain. Just this year, 50 new domestic franchise agreements have been signed. With no Carvel locations currently located in the Boston DMA and only 10 Carvel locations within a 30 mile radius of downtown Hartford, this is a great opportunity for multi-unit or individual owner/operators looking for fresh, premium markets.

Since 1985, Cinnabon’s success has risen as fast as its dough. In 2009, a new bakery design concept was launched celebrating the magic of the baking process that’s not only turned heads but also turned up sales. Just this year, 50 new domestic bakeries have opened, with over 70 sold. And, with only two Cinnabon locations currently in the Boston DMA and many mall opportunities available in the Hartford DMA, now is the perfect time to join the most delicious franchise on the planet!

The announcement of the expansion plans for Carvel and Cinnabon throughout the Boston and Hartford markets is part of a larger strategy on behalf of FOCUS Brands to create a strong market presence in prime, family-oriented locations. Target sites include malls, and strip centers close to schools, parks, shopping districts and other recreational areas.

Please contact Sheri Boxberger at 404-705-2051 or sboxberger@focusbrands.com to schedule your one-on-one meeting today!

About Carvel Ice Cream

The United States’ first retail ice cream franchise, Carvel Ice Cream has become one of the best-loved and most recognized names in its industry. The company is a leading provider of premium soft serve and hand dipped ice cream products, as well as uniquely shaped ice cream cakes, including its signature Fudgie the Whale and Cookie Puss cakes.  Atlanta-based Carvel currently operates over 500 franchised and food service locations, and is a part of FOCUS Brands, Inc. the franchisor of Carvel^® Ice Cream, Cinnabon^®, Schlotzsky’s^®, Moe’s Southwest Grill^®, Auntie Anne’s Pretzel’s®, and Seattle’s Best Coffee^® on military bases and in certain international markets.

About Cinnabon, Inc.

Founded in Seattle in 1985 and now based in Atlanta, Cinnabon, Inc. is the market leader among cinnamon roll bakeries. The company serves fresh, aromatic, oven-hot cinnamon rolls, as well as a variety of other baked goods and specialty beverages. Cinnabon currently operates more than 800 franchised locations worldwide, primarily in high traffic venues such as shopping malls, airports, train stations, travel plazas, entertainment centers, academic institutions and military establishments. Visitwww.cinnabon.com for more information, follow us on Twitter @CinnabonInc or become a Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/Cinnabon.

About FOCUS Brands

FOCUS Brands Inc. is the franchisor and operator of more than 3,300 ice cream stores, bakeries, restaurants, and cafes in 47 states and 42 countries under the brand names, AuntieAnne’s^®,  Carvel^®, Cinnabon^®,  Schlotzsky’s^®,  Moe’s Southwest Grill^®, and the franchisor of Seattle’s Best Coffee^® on certain military bases and in certain international markets. Based in Atlanta, the primary objective of FOCUS Brands is to “FOCUS on making people happy.” Please visit www.focusbrands.com to learn more.

O’Reilly Factor Guest Dennis Miller jokes that he sent the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge a “British” Cookie Puss cake as a wedding gift.

ATLANTA, GA (July 6, 2011) – July is National Ice Cream month and Carvel is pulling out all the stops to celebrate!  For the entire month, Guests will enjoy unbelievable weekly deals, including Buy One, Get One Free Sundae Dashers on Mondays and our Wednesday is Sundae BOGO deal on Carvel’s Classic Sundae that’s been a fan favorite for over 50 years.

To top off our celebration, Carvel invites families to visit their local shoppe on Sunday, July 17^th for National Ice Cream Day.  Kids will enjoy a FREE soft serve cup or cone in the flavor of their choice with any adult purchase!

Our summer celebration certainly won’t end in July. Be sure to “like” Carvel on Facebook to keep up with all of the special deals and events we have planned, including a huge product giveaway on Customer Appreciation Day, Thursday September 22^nd!  Facebook fans also win FREE ice cream, cakes and products on a weekly basis, so be sure to visit www.facebook.com/CarvelIceCream today!

*1 Free soft serve kids cup or cone per adult purchase.  Not valid with any other offer.  Available only at participating retail Carvel Shoppes.  Offer good only on 7/17/2011.