An Interview with Matthew Thornicroft, Communications Manager at Pierre’s Ice Cream Company.

Since 1932, Pierre’s Ice Cream Company has been crafting premium frozen treats, growing from a small shop in Cleveland, Ohio, to a beloved regional brand. With over 50 flavors and 200 varieties of frozen desserts, Pierre’s remains committed to quality, customer service, and innovation.

In this interview, Matthew Thornicroft, Communications Manager at Pierre’s Ice Cream, shares the company’s rich history, its commitment to kosher certification, and how it has adapted to evolving consumer preferences. From classic flavors to lactose-free and no-sugar-added options, Pierre’s mission is to offer something for everyone. They’re in the business of making people happy.

OU Kosher certification has played a key role in expanding Pierre’s reach, making their products accessible to diverse consumers. Read on to learn how this family-owned company continues to thrive while staying true to its values of quality, tradition, and inclusivity.

Introduction to Pierre’s Ice Cream

OU Kosher: Can you start by introducing yourself and giving us an overview of Pierre’s Ice Cream?

Matthew Thornicroft: Sure! My name is Matthew Thornicroft, and I’m the Communications Manager at Pierre’s Ice Cream Company. We’re a manufacturer of gourmet ice cream and frozen treats, and we’ve been around since 1932.

Pierre’s was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, by Alexander Bassett, who wanted to create a special gourmet ice cream. He developed his own recipe and started selling it out of a small shop. Over time, the brand grew. From our original three flavors—chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla—we now produce over 50 unique flavors and more than 200 varieties of frozen treats.

The Evolution of Pierre’s Ice Cream

OU Kosher: Can you tell us how Pierre’s Ice Cream has evolved over the years?

Matthew Thornicroft: In the 1930s, we started with just three flavors. Since then, we’ve expanded into frozen yogurt, sherbets, dairy-free sorbets, no-sugar-added ice cream, and a lactose-free line, which we launched just a few years ago. The lactose-free line includes flavors like chocolate, cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip, and vanilla.

Beyond traditional ice cream, we also offer frozen novelties like ice pops, ice cream sandwiches, sundae cones, and fudge pops. Additionally, we have a strong food service business, supplying restaurants, schools, and ice cream stands.

Ownership and Expansion

OU Kosher: Pierre’s has changed ownership over the years. Can you tell us about that?

Matthew Thornicroft: Yes. The Bassett family founded the company, and in the 1960s, it was purchased by the Roth family. In April 2022, we were acquired by Ohio Processors Incorporated, another family-owned business with a dairy background dating back to the 1930s. This transition has been a great opportunity for us, allowing us to continue growing while staying true to our values.

Pierre’s Market Reach

OU Kosher: Where is Pierre’s Ice Cream currently available?

Matthew Thornicroft: We are primarily a regional brand. Our products are widely available in Ohio, but we’ve recently expanded into Pittsburgh, western Pennsylvania, Detroit, and southeast Michigan. We’ve also reached a few stores in northern Chicago. It’s exciting to see how far we’ve come, and we’re proud of our continued growth.

Standing Out in a Competitive Market

OU Kosher: How does Pierre’s differentiate itself from competitors?

Matthew Thornicroft: We emphasize quality, customer service, and food safety. We take great pride in our SQF certification (Safe Quality Food), which ensures we meet high standards for food safety and consistency.

Additionally, we are very engaged with our consumers, maintaining an active presence on social media and running an ice cream blog with recipes and fun content. We work on creating frozen treats that everyone can enjoy, and our OU Kosher certification is an important part of that mission.

The Role of OU Kosher Certification

OU Kosher: What led Pierre’s to become OU Kosher certified?

Matthew Thornicroft: OU Kosher certification has been important for a long time, even before I joined the company. A significant portion of the Cleveland community is kosher-conscious, and as we expanded, we found that consumers in other markets were also asking, “Are you kosher?” or “Do you offer pareve products?”

We want to ensure that everyone can enjoy our ice cream, and OU certification is a major selling point for both consumers and retailers. Many regional grocery stores and food service providers require kosher certification, making it an essential part of our business.

Food Service Business

OU Kosher: You had mentioned food service as a part of your market—what does that look like for Pierre’s?

Matthew Thornicroft: Our food service business includes restaurants, schools, hospitals, and scoop shops, as well as event venues and catering businesses. We work with distributors that supply desserts and frozen treats to these establishments.

One of the exciting aspects of food service is that it introduces new customers to our brand. Many people first try Pierre’s Ice Cream at a restaurant and then want to know where they can buy it for their home. This connection between food service and retail helps reinforce our brand.

Future Growth and Expansion

OU Kosher: Are there plans to expand beyond your current markets?

Matthew Thornicroft: We’re always looking for opportunities to grow. Right now, we’re expanding further within Ohio, particularly around Dayton and Cincinnati. We’ve successfully established ourselves in Chicago and Michigan, both strong ice cream markets, and we’ll continue seeking strategic expansion.

OU Kosher Production Process

OU Kosher: Can you explain how your OU Kosher certification process works?

Matthew Thornicroft: All of our products are certified kosher by the OU, including our sorbets, which are pareve.

For our pareve products, we follow strict procedures, including designated production days to ensure proper kosherization of equipment. Our rabbi oversees the process, and we work closely with OU Kosher to maintain compliance.

Message to Kosher Consumers

OU Kosher: What would you say to kosher consumers who are considering Pierre’s Ice Cream?

Matthew Thornicroft: We’ve been OU Kosher certified for over 40 years, and it’s an essential part of our brand. Our team is experienced in producing high-quality, certified kosher products, and we take pride in ensuring that everyone—including those who keep kosher—can enjoy our frozen treats.

Final Thoughts

OU Kosher: Any final thoughts or big plans you can share?

Matthew Thornicroft: We’re always working on new flavors, but we aren’t quite ready to announce them. We love making new creations that make people smile.

Our goal is to continue expanding and bringing Pierre’s Ice Cream to more people while staying true to our commitment to quality, customer service, and inclusivity.

Conclusion

Pierre’s Ice Cream has remained a beloved brand for nearly a century by staying committed to quality, innovation, and inclusivity. With its OU Kosher certification, expanding reach, and dedication to customer engagement, Pierre’s continues to make frozen treats that everyone can enjoy.

For more information, visit Pierre’s Ice Cream.

 

https://pierres.com/