States that sell blue bell ice cream

Come summertime, there’s only one brand we keep in the freezer.

Photo: Jeff Greenberg / Contributor

There's no denying that Southerners are a fiercely loyal bunch. We proudly wear our team colors even when they're suffering (yet another) losing season, and you'd better think twice before you start trash-talking Aunt Missy's pound cake. This same devotion also applies to the brands we keep in our kitchens; and when it comes to ice cream, our allegiance lies squarely with Blue Bell. Here's why we can't get enough of the Texas-born treat.

For starters, Blue Bell is a Southern company through and through. First opened in Brenham, Texas, as the Brenham Creamery Company, our favorite ice cream brand changed its name to Blue Bell Creameries in 1930 as a nod to the Lone Star State's much-loved bluebell wildflower. The ice cream wasn't sold beyond Texas until the 1980s, but fortunately for the rest of us, it's now available in 23 states. Even so, Blue Bell has kept its deep Texas roots. Today, you can stop by the production facility in Brenham (about halfway between Austin and Houston) to score a behind-the-scenes view from the Observation Deck and enjoy a scoop in the Ice Cream Parlor. There's a second production facility in Sylacauga, Alabama, where you can chow down on a cone in the Ice Cream Parlor or snag a souvenir at the Country Store.

Beyond the brand's Southern origins, there's something to be said for its longevity too. Started in in 1907, Blue Bell has proven that it can stand the test of time, just like your family's hand-me-down cast iron skillet or the biscuit recipe your grandmother keeps under lock and key.

But more than its Texas roots or longevity, there's one undeniable reason we love Blue Bell ice cream so much. Southerners are a sentimental crowd, and Blue Bell is exceptionally good at distilling our most treasured food memories into nostalgic flavors that tug on our heartstrings with every bite: Buttered Pecan recalls childhood trips to New Orleans for sticky pralines, while Banana Pudding inspires recollections of Sunday dinners after church. And for some of us, Blue Bell's ice cream flavors are traditions in and of themselves, like the summer arrival of Southern Blackberry Cobbler or the anticipated melty scoop of Homemade Vanilla with mama's pecan pie at Thanksgiving. And then, of course, there's the Blue Bell tradition we hold most dear, the one we probably shouldn't confess: What's better than sneaking a spoonful of Cookie Two-Step straight from the half-gallon carton right before bed?

Blue Bell Ice Cream is one of the most popular brands of ice cream in the United States. New to old, all generations are very fond of this brand. In 2015, Blue Bell ice cream secured the second position in America for its selling of ice cream.

It has been more than a century since Blue Bell ice cream started its journey, and still doing so with reputation. So, let’s find out where this vintage company prepares its ice cream in 2022.

States that sell blue bell ice cream

  • Where is Blue Bell Ice Cream made in 2022:
  • Is Blue Bell ice cream only made in Texas?
  • Is Blue Bell ice cream made in Alabama?
  • Where did Blue Bell ice cream originate?
  • Who is Blue Bell owned by?
  • Who makes Blue Bell ice cream?
  • How many factories does Blue Bell have?
  • What states sell Blue Bell ice cream?
  • Where to buy Blue Bell ice cream?
  • How much does Blue Bell ice cream cost?
  • Sources

The Kruse Family produces most of the blue bell ice cream in Brenham, Texas, United States. In 1919, the family took charge of this delicious ice cream manufacturing operation. Besides the main plant, there are two more manufacturing plants in Alabama and Oklahoma where this delightful ice cream is manufactured.

Is Blue Bell ice cream only made in Texas?

Whenever some ice cream enthusiast hears the name Blue Bell ice cream, the first thing that comes to his mind is Texas. Texas is closely related to this ice cream’s name. However, as of 2022, Blue Bell also manufactures ice cream outside Texas.

Before the 1980s, Blue Bell’s ice cream production was limited in Texas. Besides, the company’s supply chain was not that wide. In 1989, the Blue Bell ice cream was supplied outside Texas for the first time.

In Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Blue Bell had its first ice cream manufacturing facility outside Texas state. Within four years, in 1996, the company established another creamery in Alabama.

Related Read: Where is Turkey Hill Ice Cream Made

Is Blue Bell ice cream made in Alabama?

The answer is yes. Once Blue Bell had only one creamery in Texas state. But at present, the company has two more manufacturing facilities in two different states, including Oklahoma and Alabama.

First, Blue Bell had its manufacturing facility in Oklahoma in 1992. Four years later, as the consumers’ demand increased, the company expanded its manufacturing facility to Broken Arrow, Alabama, in 1996.

Anyways, Blue Bell’s largest manufacturing site is still in Brenham, Texas. The rest of the two facilities are auxiliary facilities that help to fulfill the market demand and support Texas production.

States that sell blue bell ice cream

Where did Blue Bell ice cream originate?

Blue Bell is an ice cream company that produces mouth-watering ice cream. It originated in 1907 in Brenham, Texas, United States. The town is around 70 miles away from Houston in the northwest direction. Interestingly, the company did not share who was the founder of Blue Bell.

However, Blue Bell was not established as an ice cream company. In 1907, the company was created to sell butter after collecting it from local dairy farms. In 1911, it began producing ice cream for the first time.

Blue Bell was facing financial problems in 1919. So, The Kruse Family owned this ice cream company and is still working on its production in 2022.

Who is Blue Bell owned by?

As of 2022, The Kruse Family owns Blue Bell ice cream company. Moreover, it has been a hundred years since the family took ownership. In 1919, Blue Bell was sold due to some financial problems, and this family was the one to own this company.

Ricky Dickson is the current president of the Blue Bell ice cream company. The tactics the family has shown have made this company the second most selling ice cream company in the United States.

Who makes Blue Bell ice cream?

The Kruse Family prepares Blue Bell ice cream at Blue Bell’s creamery. This family has run the ice cream company for generations. The company has three creameries in the country.

On those creameries, the family runs ice cream manufacturing operations. Moreover, the current president of this company is also from the Kruse family.

States that sell blue bell ice cream

How many factories does Blue Bell have?

As of 2022, the Blue Bell ice cream company has three factories in the United States. It is not an international company. So, there are no factories of Blue Bell in other countries.

The locations of ice cream manufacturing factories of Blue Bell are listed below to see at a glance:

  • Brenham, Texas
  • Sylacauga, Alabama
  • Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

What states sell Blue Bell ice cream?

At present, Blue Bell has a massive distribution chain. The company sells its ice cream in more than eight states. However, the company’s supply chain grew after the 1980s. Before that, only Texas was one where Blue Bell distributed its products.

The states where Blue Bell sells its ice cream are, including

  • Texas
  • Alabama
  • Oklahoma
  • Arkansas
  • Mississippi
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
  • Missouri
  • New Mexico

Where to buy Blue Bell ice cream?

Blue Bell supplies its ice cream in the southern states. You can find it anywhere in those states. Besides, the company has outlets and ice cream parlors.

Besides buying from offline stores, you can buy Blue Bell from its official website where you will find it at a low price. But for this, you have to buy packs. You cannot have one or two.

Moreover, some online retailers sell Blue Bell ice creams, including

  • H.E.B.
  • Target
  • Albertsons
  • Tom Thumb
  • Walgreens

How much does Blue Bell ice cream cost?

There are many flavors of Blue Bell ice cream. Among them, homemade vanilla is the most popular. In the general case, a half gallon or nearly 76 ounces of ice cream cost around 6 dollars.

On the other hand, a 64 ounces Blue Bell ice cream bucket takes 8.5 dollars. In this case, the company charges more than average, which is due to its popularity and taste.

Sources

  • https://www.bluebell.com/about-us/ – Blue Bell Ice Cream History (Blue Bell)
  • https://www.bluebell.com/visit-blue-bell/sylacauga/ – Blue Bell Creamery At Alabama (Blue Bell)
  • https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/blue-bell-creameries –Blue Bell Ice Cream Supply Chain (Texas State Historical Association)

Is Blue Bell in all 50 states?

Although Blue Bell is only available in a portion of the nation's supermarkets, it ranks as one of the best-selling ice creams in the country. Our products are sold in 23 states. No matter how much the market grows, quality standards never change and are never compromised.

Is Blue Bell ice cream sold in Texas?

The company's corporate headquarters are located at the "Little Creamery" in Brenham, Texas. Since 1919, it has been in the hands of the Kruse family. As of 2015, Blue Bell was the #2 selling ice cream manufacturer in the United States. ... Blue Bell Creameries..

Does the UK have Blue Bell ice cream?

Best ice cream in the UK - Bluebell Dairy Farm.

Do they sell Blue Bell ice cream in Las Vegas?

The 114-year-old company has quite a fanbase despite its products being sold in only 22 states. Nevada will become the 23rd state with the addition of Las Vegas. To find out more information about Blue Bell, visit www.bluebell.com.