Bruster’s Real Ice Cream soon will be scooped in five more locations in metro Phoenix after the premium frozen treat chain inked a new franchise deal accelerating its rapid expansion in the West.

When retired East Coast sales and marketing executive, Dan Tarkoff, looked for a new challenge, he found it in a brand he has enjoyed for more than 20 years. “I couldn’t have selected a better partner than Bruster’s,” says Tarkoff. “In addition to their outstanding product quality and customer service experience, they are a team focused on helping franchisees develop and grow their businesses.” Tarkoff currently is scouting locations in the Phoenix area for inline, endcap or freestanding shops.

The Pittsburgh-based ice cream favorite with a cult-like following in the Eastern and Southern United States opened its first Arizona shop in Gilbert earlier this year. The chain is targeting the West and Southwest for expansion. In April, Bruster’s announced it signed franchise development agreements for seven new markets. It also reported an 8.8 percent same-store sales increase for the first quarter of 2017.