Tom Carvel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thomas A. Carvelas, also known as Tom Carvel (July 14, 1906 – October 21, 1990) was a Greek-born American businessman and entrepreneur known for the invention and promotion of soft ice cream in the northeastern United States. He is the founder of the Carvel brand and franchise, and often considered the father of modern franchising in the United States.
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[edit] Early business career
Carvel began selling ice cream in Hartsdale, New York in 1929, out of his truck. Then, on Memorial Day weekend of 1934, Carvel's truck suffered a flat tire--so he pulled into a parking lot next to a pottery store and began selling his melting ice cream to vacationers driving by. When (within two days) he realized he had sold his entire supply of ice cream, he concluded that he could increase his profits by working from a fixed location (rather than traveling).
The owner of the pottery store consented to allow Carvel to use electricity from his store, so he opened his parked truck for ice cream sales.
[edit] Founds Carvel Brand as a franchise
Two years later (in 1936) Carvel purchased the pottery store and converted it into a roadside ice cream stand; this permanently established Carvel as the first retailer to develop and market soft ice cream. The same year, he established the Carvel Brand Corporation and developed a secret soft-serve ice cream formula. As of 2006, the Carvel Corporation is headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut).
Carvel also developed new refrigeration machines and sold his designs. After World War II, he began to franchise his ice cream stores.
Carvel featured in his own advertisements; the company believes that his gravelly voice and personal charm were important factors in the success of his business.
The Carvel company specialized in ice cream cakes, often in the shapes of animals. Two of the most popular ice cream novelties introduced by his business were "Fudgie The Whale" and "Cookie Puss".
[edit] Death
Tom Carvel died in Pine Plains, Dutchess County, New York in 1990 and is buried with his wife Agnes in an outdoor grave in Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York, which is only a couple of miles away from the spot where he began selling ice cream in 1929.
