Clementine’s Ice Cream, the St. Louis-born ice cream brand known for its handcrafted, small-batch Nice, Non-Dairy and Naughty creations, is serving up its next phase of growth with the launch of its franchise opportunity. The announcement comes as Clementine’s prepares to open two new parlors in the Kansas City, Missouri area this October and November, as well as celebrating five consecutive years of being recognized on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list.
These milestones mark a sweet spot in Clementine’s growth journey as the brand looks to introduce its distinct ice cream experience to new communities through franchising. Founded in 2015 by Tamara Keefe, Clementine’s has built a following around its innovative flavors, high-quality ingredients and memorable guest experience. Its menu spans both classic and unexpected creations, including its signature lineup of “Nice” elevated, chef-driven ice cream flavors, “Non-Dairy” flavors that are also vegan, and “*Naughty” alcohol-infused flavors.
As Clementine’s looks ahead, the brand is seeking franchise partners who share the brand’s passion for hospitality, community and, of course, really good ice cream.
“Clementine’s has always been about creating something memorable, from the flavors we imagine to the experience we create,” said Tamara Keefe, founder and CEO of Clementine’s Ice Cream. “Being named to the Inc. 5000 for the fifth year in a row as we prepare to expand into Kansas City with two locations is an incredible testament to the hard work that we’ve put in. Opening our franchise opportunity to dedicated entrepreneurs represents where we’re headed next. We’ve built Clementine’s with a lot of heart and a commitment to quality, and I’m excited to find franchise partners who believe in our vision and want to help bring it to new communities.”
The brand’s next phase of expansion will soon unveil two new parlors in the Kansas City market, with the first located at 1438 E Riverfront Dr in Kansas City, Missouri, opening in November and the second at 17165 W 87th St Parkway in Lenexa, Kansas, opening in late October. Clementine’s newest locations will introduce Kansas City guests to the full Clementine’s experience, from decadent, handcrafted flavors to a brand atmosphere designed to make a trip for ice cream feel like an event. Clementine’s upcoming parlors and recent inclusion on the 2026 Inc. 5000, ranking No. 4,312, represent the brand’s tremendous expansion trajectory, having grown 48% in the last three years, providing further validation as the company prepares to scale through franchising.
To help propel the brand’s upward momentum, now is the perfect time to open its franchise opportunity to entrepreneurs, giving them the chance to bring an established premium ice cream concept to their own communities. Clementine’s franchisees will benefit from the brand’s vertically integrated production model, one-of-a-kind products, operating systems and support developed by the standout leadership team with years of expertise behind them.
“Our goal is to grow Clementine’s thoughtfully, with franchise partners who understand that what makes this brand special goes far beyond the ice cream,” continued Keefe. “Success for us isn’t about growing as quickly as possible, it’s about finding the right partners, entering the right communities and building a brand that people are excited to be part of for years to come.”
As the company continues to broaden its footprint, Clementine’s is seeking qualified franchise partners in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Iowa, and Illinois. Ideal franchisees will be community-minded and enthusiastic about building a local business, delivering standout guest experiences and growing alongside an emerging brand with unlimited potential.
