behind the brand

The Cookie and Ice Cream Innovators That Took the Cake (and Cone)

Over 40 years ago these icons shaped what the dessert space is today. Keep reading to discover how a grandma’s recipe and hand-mixed ice cream built crave-worthy QSRs.

  1. In 1977, Great American Cookies created the Original Cookie Cake, and in 1983, Marble Slab Creamery invented the frozen slab technique, where ice cream and mix-ins are hand mixed together on a frozen marble slab.

  2. In 2014, the dessert brands began to co-brand together, and to date, they have over 600 co-branded and standalone locations worldwide.

  3. Great American Cookies’ beloved chocolate chip cookie recipe was created by the co-founder's grandmother in 1977, and the recipe continues to remain unchanged to this day.

  4. Marble Slab Creamery Ice Cream is fresh-made daily in-store, with recipes for more than 55 flavors. Mix-Ins and hand-rolled Waffle Cones are always free at Marble Slab Creamery.

  5. Their sweet spot is consumers’ birthdays!

If you’re interested in submitting content for future editions, please reach out to our Managing Editor, Barbie Romero at Barbie@MediaPost.com.

1 comment about "The Cookie and Ice Cream Innovators That Took the Cake (and Cone)".
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  1. Judy Herrell from Herrell's Ice Cream, May 21, 2025 at 2:33 p.m.

    In 1973, Steve Herrell - Steve's Ice Cream in Somerville invented the Mix-in and was the first company to Mix-in cookies and candies into ice cream. The Marble Slab copied the idea.

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