Tom Carvel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Carvel
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Carvel and his wife Agnes in 1969
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| Born |
Athanasios Thomas Karvelas (Greek: Ἀθανάσιος Καρβέλας)
July 14, 1906 |
| Died | October 21, 1990 (aged 84) Pine Plains, New York, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Known for | Founder of Carvel Ice Cream |
Tom Carvel (born Athanasios Karvelas (Greek: Ἀθανάσιος Καρβέλας); 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 was the founder of the Carvel brand and franchise.
Early business career
Carvel began selling ice cream out of his truck in 1929 in Hartsdale, New York. On Memorial Day weekend in 1934, his truck had a flat tire, so he pulled into a parking lot next to a pottery store and began selling his melting ice cream to vacationers who were driving by. The owner of the store allowed Carvel to use electricity from his store, so he opened his parked truck for ice cream sales. Within two days he had sold his entire supply of ice cream and concluded that he could increase his profits by working from a fixed location.
Founds Carvel Brand as a franchise
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.
Carvel also developed new refrigeration machines and sold his designs. After World War II, he began to franchise his ice cream stores.
Carvel was featured in his own advertisements as the company believed 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".
