Thanks. I am wondering if anyone will have heard of these places. They are so niche and only operated in a few states, but I was always intrigued by the stories my mom told me and their association with Mister Softee.
There is a Mister Softee ice cream store location (actual building, not a truck) on Haddonfield Road in Pennsauken, NJ that, as far as I know, has been there for decades.
Lots of ice cream, but no hot food, which is unfortunate because now I kind of want to try a Mr. Beef.
Yeah, what do you think the Shore Dinner was? Maybe a combo platter of the other seafood options on the menu: filet of sole, fried shrimp, fried scallops. Served with a corn-on-the-cob?
I'd definitely try one of those, especially for $1.50.
We use to sell Christmas trees there in the winter time for a few years before my dad had the brilliant idea to sell them over the phone and deliver them to houses and businesses.
Ways better than standing outside on the cold for a month!
Ha!
The original owner was a guy who came from Hungary after Russia took over the country.
It's interesting to compare this case study with that of Dairy Queen, which successfully has stayed afloat as a full-service restaurant through franchising for a long time. As you noted, Mr. Softee was a primarily East Coast market; they probably couldn't expand west because Dairy Queen controlled so much of the market share elsewhere. The restaurant idea was likely Mr. Softee's way of keeping up with the Joneses.
But Mr. Softee never made much of an inroad into Canada, as far as I know. Dairy Queen is ubiquitous here in the city of Winnipeg and there are independent ice cream restaurants as well. While the mobile unit market has been, for the longest time, the purview of a local firm called Dicky Dee's.
It's not cold in summer at all (even though that season is briefer than it should be). And the population thing might have been true then, but today the nation's population is approaching 40 million.
It's interesting how some modest places like this make such strong memories in people. Mine is the Anthony Wayne that stood at the Willowbrook Circle in Wayne (near the mall).
I was lucky enough to go with my dad to a Howard Johnson's restaurant before they all closed and have the fried clam strips and milkshake made with crushed starlight mints that he remembered from his youth.
Of course. We hit the AW most times when we were in the area, but definitely after going through Fountains of Wayne's legendary Christmas displays every year on the weekend after Thanksgiving.
The joys of the bike chase and mystery of finding mister softee up and down the streets to get ice cream once heard the bell ringing of the truck on another street.
Nice article on our company. The restaurant business proved to require too much training and oversight. We can have a new truck franchisee on the road in less than a week. The stores that are open now are basically ice cream only. The truck franchise business is thriving with units in over 20 states. Mister Softee is now operated by the 3rd generation of the Conway family.
James Conway Jr - 2nd gen. Managing Partner (retired)
Thanks for stopping by. Were the Jimbll’s, when they were around, something like Friendly’s? I am trying to find photos or info of what they looked like inside, but haven’t been able to find anything yet.
Glad your family is keeping the ice cream flowing.
They are in stadiums! I got to have Mister Softee Ice Cream in Seattle and you better believe I wouldn't shut up about just how cool it was to see it there.
It's articles like this that make this one of my favorite sites! Great stuff.
Interesting article! As a southerner, I’ve never heard of any of this.
Thanks. I am wondering if anyone will have heard of these places. They are so niche and only operated in a few states, but I was always intrigued by the stories my mom told me and their association with Mister Softee.
There is a Mister Softee ice cream store location (actual building, not a truck) on Haddonfield Road in Pennsauken, NJ that, as far as I know, has been there for decades.
Lots of ice cream, but no hot food, which is unfortunate because now I kind of want to try a Mr. Beef.
Mister Beef and the Shore Dinner are top of what I want to know more about.
Yeah, what do you think the Shore Dinner was? Maybe a combo platter of the other seafood options on the menu: filet of sole, fried shrimp, fried scallops. Served with a corn-on-the-cob?
I'd definitely try one of those, especially for $1.50.
I think you are right on with that. Maybe they threw in some french fries as well?
We use to sell Christmas trees there in the winter time for a few years before my dad had the brilliant idea to sell them over the phone and deliver them to houses and businesses.
Ways better than standing outside on the cold for a month!
Ha!
The original owner was a guy who came from Hungary after Russia took over the country.
Many fond memories of that spot.
Thank you for the comment
Jimmy Conway 3rd
It's interesting to compare this case study with that of Dairy Queen, which successfully has stayed afloat as a full-service restaurant through franchising for a long time. As you noted, Mr. Softee was a primarily East Coast market; they probably couldn't expand west because Dairy Queen controlled so much of the market share elsewhere. The restaurant idea was likely Mr. Softee's way of keeping up with the Joneses.
But Mr. Softee never made much of an inroad into Canada, as far as I know. Dairy Queen is ubiquitous here in the city of Winnipeg and there are independent ice cream restaurants as well. While the mobile unit market has been, for the longest time, the purview of a local firm called Dicky Dee's.
I read the Dick Dee's wiki page and saw this:
"Dickie Dee also had a fleet of scooters and ice cream trucks, which operated in areas with hills that could not be serviced using the bicycles."
Ice cream scooters! Yes, please!
These restaurants also remind me of Friendly's which still operates on a fast-casual dining anchored with ice cream desserts.
Canada is cold was not very populated.
It's not cold in summer at all (even though that season is briefer than it should be). And the population thing might have been true then, but today the nation's population is approaching 40 million.
Its cold in March , April , and October. I was in Toronto and there was snow and ice in May.
You need like at least 6 if not 8 months to make it work.
Its not just about the number of people its about the density.
If you think you can make it work give it a try! 😃
You just need to occupy yourself for that amount of time with winter activities if you like that, or stay inside most of the time if you don't.
Not sure that pays the bills or royalty fees.
You need to work 7 days a week 10 + hours a day for 6 + months to make it work.
Most guys dont do anything in the off season. Although we sold Christmas trees and plowed snow .
Remote work pays many people’s bills like that.
It's interesting how some modest places like this make such strong memories in people. Mine is the Anthony Wayne that stood at the Willowbrook Circle in Wayne (near the mall).
I was lucky enough to go with my dad to a Howard Johnson's restaurant before they all closed and have the fried clam strips and milkshake made with crushed starlight mints that he remembered from his youth.
I knew it well. Did you ever get the Orange Whip?
https://www.retroist.com/p/remaking-the-famous-non-alcoholic-orange-whip
Of course. We hit the AW most times when we were in the area, but definitely after going through Fountains of Wayne's legendary Christmas displays every year on the weekend after Thanksgiving.
We have a mister softee ice cream truck in the Bay Area. Not the same as physical locations, but better than nothing.
The joys of the bike chase and mystery of finding mister softee up and down the streets to get ice cream once heard the bell ringing of the truck on another street.
Nice article on our company. The restaurant business proved to require too much training and oversight. We can have a new truck franchisee on the road in less than a week. The stores that are open now are basically ice cream only. The truck franchise business is thriving with units in over 20 states. Mister Softee is now operated by the 3rd generation of the Conway family.
James Conway Jr - 2nd gen. Managing Partner (retired)
Thanks for stopping by. Were the Jimbll’s, when they were around, something like Friendly’s? I am trying to find photos or info of what they looked like inside, but haven’t been able to find anything yet.
Glad your family is keeping the ice cream flowing.
My grandfather invented Mister Softee!
Thank you for the positive write up!
Jimmy Conway
Thanks for the message. Your grandfather was a big part of so many childhoods. Running up to those trucks made muggy NJ evenings magical.
If you ever have any memories or details about the restaurants. I would love to hear them.
Thank you very much!
I am to young for the restaurants Ha!
I did grow up in the whole sale warehouse and drove trucks for a few years.
One of the best jobs ever!
My father would remember the restaurants.
I'll email this to him.
My cousins own and run tje company now.
I believe there are stands in many stadiums across the country well now.
Thanks again
Jimmy
They are in stadiums! I got to have Mister Softee Ice Cream in Seattle and you better believe I wouldn't shut up about just how cool it was to see it there.
As well as in China , Japan Hong Kong
And it was in the UK not sure anymore..
Ha! Yes
Petco park , Mile high stadium
University of Texas football stadium.
The Mets stadium in Queens.
Maybe more....