Handel’s opens new Fayetteville shop as Arkansas expansion continues

Handel’s Ice Cream is set to open a new Fayetteville location near the University of Arkansas on June 18, giving the brand another foothold in Arkansas after its Rogers shop. The first 50 guests at the grand opening will receive Free Ice Cream for a Year, a move aimed at driving early foot traffic and local buzz.

Why it matters: - Handel’s expansion in Fayetteville adds another Arkansas location for the 1945-founded ice cream chain. - The new shop gives the brand access to the University of Arkansas area and a larger Northwest Arkansas customer base. - The opening is designed to create launch-day traffic with a high-value giveaway for early arrivals.

What happened: - Handel’s Ice Cream is opening a new shop at 2345 North College Avenue in Fayetteville. - The grand opening is scheduled for Thursday, June 18. - The first 50 guests in line will receive Free Ice Cream for a Year. - Jeff and Mackenzie Greene own and operate the Fayetteville location. - The Greene family also runs Handel’s flagship store in Rogers.

The details: - The Fayetteville shop will offer 48 rotating flavors. - Customers will be able to order pickup and delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Postmates. - The location will also provide catering services. - Store hours will be Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. - Friday and Saturday hours will run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. - Handel’s says the brand has been making and selling ice cream since 1945. - Handel’s was founded in Youngstown, Ohio, and started with Alice Handel. - Lenny Fisher later purchased the brand. - Handel’s now operates more than 175 locations across 20 states. - The brand also says it offers 48 flavors every day, plus more than 140 seasonal flavors. - Handel’s says its ice cream is made by hand in small batches at each location with abundant ingredients. - The company has been ranked by Franchise Times as the #1 Sweet Treat and a Top 10 Brand to Buy. - Handel’s has also appeared on Franchise Times’ Top 400 and Fast & Serious lists. - Fast Casual included Handel’s on its Movers & Shakers 2025 list. - CEO Jennifer Schuler was named among Fast Casual’s Top 25 Industry Executives. - Entrepreneur Magazine lists Handel’s as a Top 500 Franchise. - More information is available at the Fayetteville location page or on Facebook at @HandelsNWA and Instagram at @handels_nwa. - Franchise information is available at the company’s franchise page.

Between the lines: - The grand opening giveaway signals a push to convert first-time visitors into repeat customers. - Adding a second Arkansas shop suggests Handel’s is building a regional presence through local ownership. - The mix of delivery, catering and extended hours points to a store model built for both convenience and event traffic.

What’s next: - Handel’s will open the Fayetteville shop on June 18. - Jeff and Mackenzie Greene are expected to use the new location to grow the brand’s visibility in Northwest Arkansas. - The company’s broader franchise growth will continue as Handel’s pursues additional openings across the country.