Alaskans eat a lot of ice cream. Several associations that keep track of that sort of thing have put their signature on that fact. Records show that Alaskans consume more ice cream than any other state in the U.S. The records also reveal that the average American eats roughly 4 gallons of ice cream a year and that Alaskans eat a bit more than the average. That could add up to a lot of ice cream. It's rumored that Alaska's record may even include the rest of the world but there's no evidence of that anywhere just yet.



Now don't think that Alaskans will eat just any ice cream. Alaskans eat ice cream all year long, never tiring of it and are more than willing to pay for the good stuff. They are quite a picky folk. About 15 years ago a well-known American ice cream chain went out of business in Fairbanks, Alaska. Somebody didn't figure on a small Alaskan town (small back then) being so particular about their ice cream. They must've thought that Alaskans were desperate for whatever they could get. Surely a 'Name' brand would guarantee them some good business there in that 50 - 70 below 0 in the winter part of the world. They sure could've used an Alaskan Business Tour Guide. They would have been informed that a name alone means nothing to Alaskans. They expect quality to the equivalent they expect it with all of their goods and services. Alaskans and those who later in life have chosen to live there, on the whole are a rough and tough bunch because much of Alaska is rough and tough living. As a balance to all of it's pristine beauty and majesty, there are hardships to living in 'the Last Frontier that one can't imagine unless one lives there for a while; at least a good couple of harsh winters and a summer. In many areas of Alaska, folks have to create their own comforts. Hard work is an understatement most of the time and very few comforts are free. In short, Alaskans work hard and expect top notch for their dollars. It's quality or they go somewhere else without apology.

Another growing American ice cream chain opened up for the first time in Alaska several years ago. They too were banking on Alaska's passion for good ice cream. This husband and wife team had an edge though. The wife was born and raised in Alaska. She knew what Alaskans liked. While visiting in what Alaskans call the lower 48, they absolutely went nuts over the ice cream they bought at a new premium ice cream and yogurt store. It wasn't a franchise yet but they believed that it would work in Alaska. They also knew they couldn't take any shortcuts if they wanted to succeed. So after doing the research, they had to convince the company that they weren't crazy, that Alaskans really did love ice cream. Not until they showed them the statistical data on Alaska's ice cream consumption did they begin to take the couple seriously about franchising the company. It took about five years but they opened their first store in Anchorage. It was hard work, but their hunch paid off better than expected and has expanded to the Kenai Peninsula just a couple of months ago. The difference? The ice cream was plain good quality ice cream with no short cuts. Another not so surprising detail about this new ice cream chain is its insanely high prices that by the way, so far, Alaskans have been willing to pay. Hey, if Alaskans love it, it must be good.