# Blue Bell Creameries > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Blue_Bell_Creameries > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Blue_Bell_Creameries.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Bell_Creameries > Source revision: 1356341033 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American ice cream company}} {{Infobox company | name = Blue Bell Creameries | logo = Blue bell logo.jpg | type = [Private](/source/Privately_held_company) | key_people = Jimmy Lawhorn, President{{cite news |title= Blue Bell Creameries announces Jimmy Lawhorn as President |author= Blue Bell |url= https://www.bluebell.com/news/blue-bell-creameries-announces-jimmy-lawhorn-as-president/ |date= January 9, 2024 |access-date= September 22, 2024 |archive-date= September 23, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240923011137/https://www.bluebell.com/news/blue-bell-creameries-announces-jimmy-lawhorn-as-president/ |url-status= live }} | industry = [Ice cream](/source/Ice_cream) | revenue = Over US$500 million (2018)US$680 million (2014) Estimated US$680 million (2014){{cite web|url=http://www.privco.com/private-company/blue-bell-creameries|title=Blue Bell Creameries|work=privco.com|access-date=2015-06-10|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924081931/http://www.privco.com/private-company/blue-bell-creameries|url-status=live}} | assets = | founded = {{start date and age|1907}}{{pb}}[Brenham](/source/Brenham%2C_Texas), [Texas](/source/Texas), U.S. | location = Brenham, Texas, U.S. | num_employees = Over 1,000 (2018){{Cite web|url=https://incfact.com/company/bluebellcreameries-brenham-tx/|title=Annual Report on Blue Bell Creameries's Revenue, Growth, SWOT Analysis & Competitor Intelligence - IncFact|access-date=2020-03-24|archive-date=2022-02-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203164124/https://incfact.com/company/bluebellcreameries-brenham-tx/|url-status=live}} | website = {{URL|http://bluebell.com}} }} '''Blue Bell Creameries''' is an American food company that manufactures and sells [ice cream](/source/ice_cream). {{As of|2015|post=,}} Blue Bell was the #2 selling ice cream manufacturer in the United States.{{Cite news |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/The-Bite/2015/0714/How-a-billionaire-brought-back-Blue-Bell-ice-cream |title=How a billionaire brought back Blue Bell ice cream |date=2015-07-14 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |access-date=2020-03-24 |issn=0882-7729 |archive-date=2020-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324142819/https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/The-Bite/2015/0714/How-a-billionaire-brought-back-Blue-Bell-ice-cream |url-status=live }} The company was originally founded in 1907, in the small town of [Brenham, Texas](/source/Brenham%2C_Texas). For much of its early history, the company manufactured both ice cream and [butter](/source/butter) locally. In the mid-20th century, it abandoned butter production and expanded to the entire state of [Texas](/source/Texas) and soon much of the [Southern United States](/source/Southern_United_States). The company's corporate headquarters are located at the "Little Creamery" in Brenham, Texas, and since 1919, it has been in the hands of the Kruse family.{{Handbook of Texas|id=dibgj|name=}} ==History== thumb|left|A restored delivery truck at the Brenham creamery ===Origins=== The company originally opened in 1907 under the name 'Brenham Creamery Company' with the original goal of purchasing excess cream from local [dairy farmers](/source/Dairy_farmer) and selling [butter](/source/butter) to people living in Brenham, Texas; a town located approximately 70 miles (110 km) northwest of [Houston](/source/Houston). In 1911, the creamery began to produce small quantities of [ice cream](/source/ice_cream).{{citation|last=Ferrell|first=David|title=Tasteful Celebration|page=33|newspaper=[Texas Aggie](/source/Texas_Aggie_(magazine))|date=May–June 2007}} By 1919, the Creamery was in financial trouble and considered closing its doors. The board of directors hired E.F. Kruse, a 23-year-old former school teacher, to take over the company on April 1, 1919. Kruse refused to accept a salary for his first few months in the position so that the company would not be placed in further debt.{{citation | last = Ferrell | first = David | title = Tasteful Celebration | page = 32| newspaper = [Texas Aggie](/source/Texas_Aggie_(magazine)) | date = May–June 2007}} Under his leadership, the company expanded the production of ice cream towards the surrounding Brenham areas and soon became profitable. At his suggestion, the company was to be renamed as 'Blue Bell Creameries' in 1930 after Kruse's favorite wildflower the [Texas bluebell](/source/Eustoma_russellianum). Leading up to the year of 1936, the creamery made ice cream by the batch. It could create a 10-US-gallon (38 L) batch of ice cream every 20 minutes. That same year the company purchased its first continuous ice cream freezer, which could make 80 US gallons (300 L) of ice cream per hour. The ice cream would run through a spigot, allowing it to be poured into any size container.{{citation|last=Travis |first=Christopher K. |title=The Kings of Ice Cream |newspaper=The Round Top Register |year=1997 |url=http://www.roundtop.com/bluebell.htm |accessdate=2007-04-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703173737/http://www.roundtop.com/bluebell.htm |archivedate=2007-07-03 }} E.F. Kruse was diagnosed with cancer in 1951 and died eight weeks after diagnosis. After his passing, his sons Ed and Howard took over the leadership of the company.{{citation|last=Ferrell|first=David|title=Tasteful Celebration|pages=34–35|newspaper=[Texas Aggie](/source/Texas_Aggie_(magazine))|date=May–June 2007}} ===Product changes and turning a profit=== By the 1960s, the company completely abandoned the production of butter and began focusing solely on ice cream. After many years of selling ice cream only in Brenham, the company began selling its ice cream in the [Houston](/source/Houston) area, eventually expanding throughout most of [Texas](/source/Texas) including the [Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex](/source/Dallas%E2%80%93Fort_Worth_metroplex) and the state capital of [Austin](/source/Austin%2C_Texas). Leading up to the end of the 1970s, sales had quadrupled, and by 1980 the creamery was producing over 10 million gallons (37,850,000 liters) of ice cream per year, earning $30 million annually. During the year 1989, Blue Bell began selling ice cream in [Oklahoma](/source/Oklahoma), and throughout the 1990s expansion pushed throughout the [South Central](/source/South_Central_United_States) and [Southern United States](/source/Southern_United_States), eventually expanding to [New Orleans](/source/New_Orleans) and [Jackson, Mississippi](/source/Jackson%2C_Mississippi). In 1992, Blue Bell built a new manufacturing facility in [Broken Arrow, Oklahoma](/source/Broken_Arrow%2C_Oklahoma). Four years later, in 1996, Blue Bell opened a third manufacturing facility in [Sylacauga, Alabama](/source/Sylacauga%2C_Alabama), southeast of [Birmingham](/source/Birmingham%2C_Alabama), and eventually expanded into [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta) and [Miami](/source/Miami). Once Blue Bell establishes itself within a market, word-of-mouth usually ensures that consumers in adjacent areas become aware of the brand. Blue Bell has been slow to expand: company executives say they thoroughly research each new market and ensure that all employees in the new markets are fully trained in Blue Bell practices so that product quality can be upheld.{{cite web | last = Smith | first = Pamela Accetta | title = True blue | publisher = Dairy Field | date = January 2002 | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3846/is_200201/ai_n9060011 | accessdate = 2007-04-30 | archive-date = 2009-03-31 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090331045159/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3846/is_200201/ai_n9060011 | url-status = live }} Blue Bell often tends to expand to markets during March each year, expanding to Colorado on March 14, 2011, followed by the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas of Virginia in 2013, and Las Vegas in 2014.{{cite web|title=Blue Bell expanding to Vegas due to popular demand|date=11 February 2014|url=http://chron.com/news/Houston/Texas/article/Blue-Bell-expanding-into-Vegas-due-to-popular-5224877.php|accessdate=12 February 2014|archive-date=28 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328221231/https://www.chron.com/news/Houston/Texas/article/Blue-Bell-expanding-into-Vegas-due-to-popular-5224877.php|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Blue Bell ice cream expanding to North Las Vegas area with distribution centre|url=http://LVRJ.com/business/Blue-Bell-ice-cream-expanding-North-Las-Vegas-area-distribution-center|newspaper=Las Vegas Review Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225123957/http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/blue-bell-ice-cream-expanding-north-las-vegas-area-distribution-center|archive-date=2014-02-25|url-status=dead|accessdate=2019-09-12}} These expansions are accompanied by the purchase and/or construction of distribution centers in new markets that serve areas within a 75-mile (121 km) radius. ===Listeriosis outbreak=== In 2015, Blue Bell issued a series of product recalls for the first time in its 108-year history. The recall was issued on an assortment of items produced at its creameries, due to the discovery of five cases of [listeriosis](/source/listeriosis) in [Kansas](/source/Kansas) believed to be caused by products produced at its creamery in [Broken Arrow, Oklahoma](/source/Broken_Arrow%2C_Oklahoma).{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/22/business/blue-bell-recalls-all-products-after-listeria-outbreak.html?_r=0|title=Blue Bell Recalls All Products After Listeria Outbreak|newspaper=The New York Times|date=21 April 2015|accessdate=April 21, 2015|last1=Ramzy|first1=Austin|archive-date=24 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424023919/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/22/business/blue-bell-recalls-all-products-after-listeria-outbreak.html?_r=0|url-status=live}} Three of the five patients with whom contracted ''[Listeria](/source/Listeria)'' from the products died.{{cite news| quote=Three of these people died as a result of their Listeria infection.| title=Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Blue Bell Creameries Products (Final Update)| url=https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/ice-cream-03-15/| work=[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](/source/Centers_for_Disease_Control_and_Prevention)| date=June 10, 2015| accessdate=January 24, 2016| archive-date=July 6, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706215121/https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/ice-cream-03-15/| url-status=live}} Despite a series of subsequent recalls, and a temporary shutdown of its Broken Arrow plant, "an enhanced sampling program" launched by Blue Bell produced "several positive tests for Listeria in different places and plants", including three further cases in Texas.{{cite news|title=Blue Bell recalls all its ice cream products over Listeria concerns|first=Holly|last=Yan|work=[CNN](/source/CNN)|location=Atlanta|date=April 21, 2015|access-date=April 21, 2015|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/20/health/blue-bell-ice-cream-recall/|archive-date=April 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424054016/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/20/health/blue-bell-ice-cream-recall|url-status=live}} As a result, on the evening of April 20, 2015, the company took precautionary measures and expanded its recall to cover all of its products leading to the disposal of over eight million gallons of product in a sanitary landfill.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lubbockonline.com/article/20150422/NEWS/304229657|title=Blue Bell to dispose of 8 million gallons of ice cream after recall|first=DENISE|last=MARQUEZ|website=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal|access-date=2019-07-09|archive-date=2019-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709082011/https://www.lubbockonline.com/article/20150422/NEWS/304229657|url-status=live}}{{cite web| title=Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Blue Bell Creameries Ice Cream Products| work=[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](/source/Centers_for_Disease_Control_and_Prevention)| url=https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/ice-cream-03-15/index.html| date=April 3, 2015| accessdate=April 4, 2015| archive-date=April 6, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406055253/http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/ice-cream-03-15/index.html| url-status=live}} At the same time, the company shut down production and commenced cleanup and repair operations at its manufacturing facilities. The [FDA](/source/Food_and_Drug_Administration) found that the company failed to follow standard practices to prevent contamination; two years prior to the recalls, the company "repeatedly found listeria" in its Broken Arrow facility.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ice-cream-recall-sends-chill-through-food-industry-1438437781|title=Ice-Cream Recall Sends Chill Through Food Industry|work=[The Wall Street Journal](/source/The_Wall_Street_Journal)|date=August 1, 2015|author=Jesse Newman|accessdate=August 2, 2015|archive-date=August 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802033840/http://www.wsj.com/articles/ice-cream-recall-sends-chill-through-food-industry-1438437781|url-status=live}} At its main production facility in Brenham, one of its production machines (which produced most of the recalled products) was considered to be so contaminated that Blue Bell announced it would have to permanently stop using the machine. Condensation was also reportedly noted in various parts of the Brenham facility.{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Inside-Blue-Bell-Grime-and-discontent-6499325.php|title=Inside Blue Bell: Grime and discontent|date=11 September 2016|access-date=2 September 2016|archive-date=19 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919024547/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Inside-Blue-Bell-Grime-and-discontent-6499325.php|url-status=live}} Although a spokeswoman for Blue Bell had previously objected towards the idea of subjected job losses,{{cite web|title=Blue Bell: We haven't laid off anyone in 100 years and we won't do it now|url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/04/21/news/companies/blue-bell-ice-cream-recall-jobs/|access-date=May 3, 2015|work=[CNNMoney](/source/CNNMoney)|date=21 April 2015|location=New York|archive-date=26 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426144337/http://money.cnn.com/2015/04/21/news/companies/blue-bell-ice-cream-recall-jobs/|url-status=dead}} on May 15, Blue Bell announced a series of job cuts and furloughs.{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/1-450-blue-bell-workers-losing-jobs-listeria-201908182--finance.html|title=1,450 Blue Bell workers losing jobs after listeria problems|publisher=[Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press)|date=May 15, 2015|accessdate=May 15, 2015|archive-date=May 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518093356/http://news.yahoo.com/1-450-blue-bell-workers-losing-jobs-listeria-201908182--finance.html|url-status=live}} 1,450 (or roughly 37 percent) of the company's employees would be subjected to lay offs, while another 1,400 employees were furloughed until cleanup/repair operations concluded, and the remaining 1,050 involved in essential operations and cleanup/repair operations had wage reductions imposed.{{cite web|url=http://bluebell.com/the_little_creamery/press_releases/may-15-update|title=An agonizing decision|work=Blue Bell Creameries|date=May 15, 2015|accessdate=July 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710010747/http://bluebell.com/the_little_creamery/press_releases/may-15-update|archive-date=July 10, 2015|url-status=dead}} Due to limited supply and distribution capabilities expected in the near term, Blue Bell announced it would suspend operations at 15 of 50 distribution centers indefinitely, though it had not ruled out returning to these markets eventually.{{Cite web|title = An Agonizing Decision|url = http://cdn.bluebell.com/the_little_creamery/press_releases/may-15-update|work = Blue Bell Creameries|accessdate = September 15, 2015|archive-date = May 17, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150517233408/http://cdn.bluebell.com/the_little_creamery/press_releases/may-15-update|url-status = dead}} The affected distribution centers included: * [Phoenix, Arizona](/source/Phoenix%2C_Arizona) (2 branches) * [Tucson, Arizona](/source/Tucson%2C_Arizona) * [Denver, Colorado](/source/Denver%2C_Colorado) * [Indianapolis, Indiana](/source/Indianapolis%2C_Indiana) * [Kansas City, Kansas](/source/Kansas_City%2C_Kansas) * [Wichita, Kansas](/source/Wichita%2C_Kansas) * [Louisville, Kentucky](/source/Louisville%2C_Kentucky) * [Las Vegas, Nevada](/source/Las_Vegas%2C_Nevada) * [Albuquerque, New Mexico](/source/Albuquerque%2C_New_Mexico) * [Charlotte, North Carolina](/source/Charlotte%2C_North_Carolina) * [Raleigh, North Carolina](/source/Raleigh%2C_North_Carolina) * [Columbia, South Carolina](/source/Columbia%2C_South_Carolina) * [Richmond, Virginia](/source/Richmond%2C_Virginia) * [Suffolk, Virginia](/source/Suffolk%2C_Virginia) (Hampton Roads area) The recalls became so severe that they threatened to shut down the company entirely; executives warned shareholders that they faced a "capital crisis." On July 14, 2015, [Sid Bass](/source/Sid_Bass), a prominent Texas investor, became a partner and investor with the company; Blue Bell secured a $125 million loan to continue pursuing operations.{{cite web|url=http://cdn.BlueBell.com/the_little_creamery/press_releases/Blue-Bell-receives-investment|title=Blue Bell receives investment|work=Blue Bell Creameries|date=2015-07-14|accessdate=2015-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716161657/http://cdn.bluebell.com/the_little_creamery/press_releases/blue-bell-receives-investment|archive-date=2015-07-16|url-status=dead}} Around the same time, Blue Bell's plant in Sylacauga, Alabama resumed production, creating 'test' batches as part of a "test and hold" procedure in which ice cream is not packaged for sale until the batch tests negative for all strains of bacteria including the strain of listeria responsible for the aforementioned recalls. ===Department of Justice investigation=== {{external media | width = 210px | float = right | video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef7NlTWqn8E "Department of Justice investigating Blue Bell Listeria outbreak"]. ''[CBS Evening News](/source/CBS_Evening_News)'' report dated December 29, 2015, outlining the [United States Department of Justice](/source/United_States_Department_of_Justice) investigation into Blue Bell Creameries. }}In December 2015, ''[CBS Evening News](/source/CBS_Evening_News)'' reported that the [United States Department of Justice](/source/United_States_Department_of_Justice) (DOJ) had launched a federal criminal investigation into Blue Bell Creameries, to determine "what exactly Blue Bell executives knew about the contaminations and unsanitary conditions, when they knew, and what they did in response".{{cite news|first=Jim|last=Axelrod|work=[CBS News](/source/CBS_News)|date=December 29, 2015|title=Dept. of Justice investigating Blue Bell for deadly Listeria outbreak|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dept-of-justice-investigating-blue-bell-for-deadly-listeria-outbreak/|accessdate=January 12, 2016|archive-date=January 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101210335/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dept-of-justice-investigating-blue-bell-for-deadly-listeria-outbreak/?|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=DOJ Investigating Blue Bell Creameries Response to Listeria Contamination|first=Jesse|last=Newman|date=December 30, 2015|work=[The Wall Street Journal](/source/The_Wall_Street_Journal)|location=New York City|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/doj-investigating-blue-bell-creameries-response-to-listeria-contamination-1451522328|accessdate=January 12, 2016|archive-date=January 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112041220/http://www.wsj.com/articles/doj-investigating-blue-bell-creameries-response-to-listeria-contamination-1451522328|url-status=live}} The investigation, by the DOJ's Consumer Protection Branch, is reportedly led by trial attorney Patrick Hearn, who successfully prosecuted executives of the [Peanut Corporation of America](/source/Peanut_Corporation_of_America) in 2015. The company pleaded guilty in 2020 to charges it distributed contaminated products and paid a $19.35 million fine.{{cite news |last1=Raymond |first1=Nate |title=Ex-Blue Bell CEO to pled guilty to misdemeanor over listeria outbreak |date=9 March 2023 |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/ex-blue-bell-ceo-plead-guilty-misdemeanor-over-listeria-outbreak-2023-03-09/ |publisher=Reuters |access-date=14 June 2023 |archive-date=15 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815160322/https://www.reuters.com/legal/ex-blue-bell-ceo-plead-guilty-misdemeanor-over-listeria-outbreak-2023-03-09/ |url-status=live }} On October 22, 2020, Paul Kruse, Blue Bell's [Chief Executive Officer](/source/Chief_Executive_Officer) during the outbreak, and formerly, its [general counsel](/source/general_counsel),[https://www.law.com/texaslawyer/almID/1056139931115/?slreturn=20200922131049 The Ice Cream Man] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027030022/https://www.law.com/texaslawyer/almID/1056139931115/?slreturn=20200922131049 |date=2020-10-27 }}, ''[Texas Lawyer](/source/law.com)'', Brenda Sapino Jeffreys, July 7, 2003. Retrieved October 22, 2020. was indicted on seven [felony](/source/felony) counts of [conspiracy](/source/conspiracy) and [wire fraud](/source/Mail_and_wire_fraud) for his part in the alleged [cover-up](/source/cover-up).{{cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/paul-kruse-former-blue-bell-creameries-ceo-faces-charges-in-connection-with-alleged-listeria-contamination-coverup/ar-BB1ah63Q |last=Goodwin |first=Jazmin |date=October 22, 2020 |title=Paul Kruse: Former Blue Bell Creameries CEO faces charges in connection with alleged listeria contamination coverup |work=[CNN](/source/CNN) |access-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024061630/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/paul-kruse-former-blue-bell-creameries-ceo-faces-charges-in-connection-with-alleged-listeria-contamination-coverup/ar-BB1ah63Q |url-status=live }} In August 2022 the DOJ tried Kruse on five counts of fraud and one count of conspiracy. The [trial](/source/trial) ended in a mistrial after [jurors](/source/Jury) could not reach a unanimous [verdict](/source/verdict).{{cite web |last1=Lyubomirova |first1=Teodora |title=Ex-Blue Bell boss Paul Kruse strikes plea deal |url=https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2023/03/13/Ex-Blue-Bell-boss-Paul-Kruse-strikes-plea-deal |website=Dairy Reporter |date=13 March 2023 |publisher=William Reed Ltd |access-date=14 June 2023 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409173034/https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2023/03/13/Ex-Blue-Bell-boss-Paul-Kruse-strikes-plea-deal |url-status=live }} The DOJ scheduled a retrial for April 2023, but reached a plea deal with Kruse in March. Under the plea deal, Kruse pleaded guilty to one [misdemeanor](/source/misdemeanor) charge of having caused adulterated ice cream products to be distributed and was handed a $100,000 fine, but wasn't sentenced to [prison](/source/prison). ===Return to shelves and current news=== On August 17, 2015, Blue Bell announced a five-phase plan to return to store shelves:{{cite web | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/08/17/blue-bell-ice-cream-return/31855581/ | title=Blue Bell will begin limited distribution Aug. 31 | work=USA Today | date=17 August 2015 | accessdate=17 August 2015 | author=Owens, Marjorie | archive-date=17 August 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817211258/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/08/17/blue-bell-ice-cream-return/31855581/ | url-status=live }} * Phase 1: Houston and Austin areas of Texas, plus Birmingham and Montgomery areas of Alabama (near the company's Sylacauga facility). * Phase 2: North central Texas (Dallas–Fort Worth) and northern Oklahoma including Tulsa (near the company's Broken Arrow facility). * Phase 3: Southwest Texas (San Antonio) and central Oklahoma including Oklahoma City. * Phase 4: Majority of Texas plus southern Louisiana including Baton Rouge and New Orleans. * Phase 5: Remainder of Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma and Louisiana, plus all of Arkansas, Florida and Mississippi and parts of Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. However, even in those states where Blue Bell plans to return, it would not necessarily return to all of its pre-recall markets by the final phase. Those markets, including Charlotte, Kansas City, Louisville, and Phoenix, were added based on the fact that Blue Bell will effectively service those areas. Wichita, KS was the last to return in mid-April 2023. Phase 1 began on August 31, 2015. Phase 2 began in November of 2015. A month later, phases 3 and 4 began. The day following the initial rollout, September 1, Blue Bell resumed production at its Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, facility.{{Cite web|title = Broken Arrow facility begins production|url = http://cdn.bluebell.com/the_little_creamery/press_releases/BA-production-begins|website = cdn.bluebell.com|accessdate = 2015-09-15|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150904012315/http://cdn.bluebell.com/the_little_creamery/press_releases/BA-production-begins|archive-date = 2015-09-04|url-status = dead}} On January 28, 2016, the company resumed distribution to large portions of the Southeastern US.{{cite web|url=http://cdn.bluebell.com/locator|title=Blue Bell Locator|website=cdn.bluebell.com|accessdate=8 July 2017|archive-date=19 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150819235237/http://cdn.bluebell.com/locator|url-status=dead}} On March 6, 2017, Blue Bell reopened the three distribution centers located in Tucson (1) and Phoenix (2) to complete distribution across the state of Arizona In 2018, children of an interracial family posted an open letter on [Facebook](/source/Facebook) addressed to Blue Bell asking that the flavor "The Great Divide" (equal halves of [chocolate](/source/Chocolate_ice_cream) and [vanilla ice cream](/source/vanilla_ice_cream)) be changed to "Better Together".{{cite web|url=http://www.wsfa.com/story/38441202/better-together-kids-propose-blue-bell-flavor-name-change-get-positive-response|title='Better Together': Kids propose Blue Bell flavor name change, get positive response|publisher=WSFA 12|date=June 16, 2018|access-date=June 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620002133/http://www.wsfa.com/story/38441202/better-together-kids-propose-blue-bell-flavor-name-change-get-positive-response|archive-date=June 20, 2018|url-status=dead}} While Blue Bell spokespersons reacted positively to the name change proposal, the post became controversial among some Facebook users who dismissed claims that the original name was offensive. In March 2018, the company began distribution to much of Indiana, midsection of Kentucky and northern New Mexico. In March 2019, the company resumed distribution to much of the Virginia area,{{cite web|url=https://www.richmond.com/business/local/blue-bell-ice-cream-returning-to-stores-in-richmond-and/article_da49d6d7-cd15-58e9-9989-8a13d5892fae.html|title=Blue Bell ice cream returning to stores in Richmond and elsewhere in Virginia beginning this week|website=www.richmond.com|date=25 March 2019|accessdate=6 May 2019|archive-date=6 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506174230/https://www.richmond.com/business/local/blue-bell-ice-cream-returning-to-stores-in-richmond-and/article_da49d6d7-cd15-58e9-9989-8a13d5892fae.html|url-status=live}} northeastern North Carolina and greater Kansas City. In July 2019, Blue Bell Creameries faced backlash after an internet video went [viral](/source/Viral_video) of a teenager licking a tub of Blue Bell's ice cream then proceeding to place the tub back into the freezer.{{Cite web |date=5 July 2019 |title=Ice cream licker could face 20 years - CNN Video |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2019/07/05/texas-walmart-ice-cream-lick-back-on-shelf-vpx.cnn |via=edition.cnn.com |access-date=9 July 2019 |archive-date=9 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709035810/https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2019/07/05/texas-walmart-ice-cream-lick-back-on-shelf-vpx.cnn |url-status=live }} The location of the event took place at a [Walmart](/source/Walmart) in [Lufkin, Texas](/source/Lufkin%2C_Texas). The individual was later arrested.{{Cite web |date=2019-07-05 |title=Police find girl who licked Blue Bell ice cream in viral video |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/woman-seen-licking-ice-cream-viral-video-faces-20-years-n1026556 |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=2024-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930185859/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/woman-seen-licking-ice-cream-viral-video-faces-20-years-n1026556 |url-status=live }} After the incident, multiple individuals trying to copy the viral act, resulting in more individuals being jailed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/blue-bell-ice-cream-licker-lenise-martin-licking-blue-bell-creameries-louisiana-belle-rose/|title=Copycat Blue Bell ice cream licker arrested in Louisiana|website=www.cbsnews.com|date=8 July 2019 }} These incidents resulted in severe negative reactions asserting that violating food in such a manner is dangerous to the public health, along with criticisms that not enough action was being taken to punish offenders, and against Blue Bell for not protecting their ice cream with a plastic seal. In March 2022, the company resumed distribution to Clark & Nye counties in Nevada, but there may be possible expansion to greater Los Angeles, California. In mid-April 2023, distribution returned to Wichita, Kansas.{{cite news |title=Blue Bell Ice Cream returns to Wichita stores 8 years after deadly listeria outbreak |url=https://www.kake.com/story/48619959/blue-bell-ice-cream-returns-to-wichita-stores-8-years-after-deadly-listeria-outbreak |access-date=9 July 2023 |work=[KAKE](/source/KAKE) |date=17 April 2023 |language=en |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709041528/https://www.kake.com/story/48619959/blue-bell-ice-cream-returns-to-wichita-stores-8-years-after-deadly-listeria-outbreak |url-status=live }} February 2025 saw southern [Utah](/source/Utah) being introduced for the first time. == Products == Blue Bell produces over 250 different frozen products. Of these, 66 are flavors of ice cream. Twenty of the flavors are offered year-round, while an additional two to three dozen are offered seasonally.{{citation|last=Levey |first=Kelli |title=Recipe For Success |newspaper=The Bryan-College Station Eagle |date=June 4, 2004 |url=http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/060604bluebell.php |archive-url=https://archive.today/20060328074704/http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/060604bluebell.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 28, 2006 |accessdate=2007-04-30 }} In addition to ice cream, the company produces [frozen yogurt](/source/frozen_yogurt), [sherbet](/source/Sherbet_(U.S.)), and an array of frozen treats on a stick. Unlike competitors which have reduced their standard containers to 48-56 fluid ounces (1.42-1.66 L), Blue Bell continues to sell true half-gallon (64 fl oz/1.89 L) containers, a fact it mentions prominently in its advertising.{{cite web |url=http://www.bluebell.com/the_little_creamery/still_a_half_gallon.html |title=Blue Bell Ice Cream- Still a Half Gallon |publisher=Bluebell.com |accessdate=2012-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305154400/http://bluebell.com/the_little_creamery/still_a_half_gallon.html |archive-date=2012-03-05 |url-status=dead }}[[File:BluebellshopBushterminalC.jpg|thumb|Blue Bell shop at [George Bush Intercontinental Airport](/source/George_Bush_Intercontinental_Airport)]]The company introduced its flagship flavor, Homemade Vanilla, in 1969 and was supposedly the first company to mass-produce the flavor [cookies 'n cream](/source/cookies_'n_cream).{{cite web|last=Dudlicek|first=James|title=Homemade Success|publisher=Dairy Field|year=2007|url=http://www.dairyfield.com/content.php?s=DF/2007/01&p=9|accessdate=2007-07-05|archive-date=2007-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928162747/http://www.dairyfield.com/content.php?s=DF/2007/01&p=9|url-status=live}} Although the company at one time made cookies 'n cream from Nabisco's [Oreo](/source/Oreo) cookies, buying ordinary retail packages, today it bakes its own cookies.{{citation | last = Apple Jr. | first = R.W. | title = Making Texas Cows Proud | newspaper = [The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times) | date = May 31, 2006 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/31/dining/31blue.html?ex=1306728000&en=b7553f0857e63d71&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss | accessdate = 2007-04-30 | archive-date = 2009-03-31 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090331114450/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/31/dining/31blue.html?ex=1306728000&en=b7553f0857e63d71&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss | url-status = live }} {{As of|1997|post=,}} Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla was the best-selling single flavor of ice cream in the [United States](/source/United_States), and in 2001, ''[Forbes](/source/Forbes)'' named Blue Bell the best ice cream in the country.{{citation | title = 50 of America's Best | newspaper = [Forbes](/source/Forbes) | date = April 30, 2001 | url = http://members.forbes.com/fyi/2001/0430/058_print.html | accessdate = 2007-04-30 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120119144839/http://members.forbes.com/fyi/2001/0430/058_print.html | archive-date = January 19, 2012 | url-status = dead }} R.W. Apple Jr., of ''[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)'' claimed in 2006 that "[w]ith clean, vibrant flavors and a rich, luxuriant consistency achieved despite a butterfat content a little lower than some competitors, it hooks you from the first spoonful. Entirely and blessedly absent are the cloying sweetness, chalky texture, and oily, gummy aftertaste that afflict many mass-manufactured ice creams." Occasionally, when Blue Bell enters a market the company marks the occasion with the introduction of a regional flavor within that market. For example, when it entered Colorado on March 14, 2011, Blue Bell introduced a new flavor exclusive to Colorado, Rocky Mountain Road, made with more premium ingredients (including chocolate-covered nuts and a marshmallow swirl) compared to its year-round Rocky Road. While the test market was in the [Denver metropolitan area](/source/Denver_Metropolitan_Area), there was speculation that the rest of the state would soon see Blue Bell on store shelves.{{cite web|title=Blue Bell Ice Cream arrives in Denver|url=http://www.bluebell.com/the_little_creamery/press_releases/press_denver.html|accessdate=13 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318024450/http://www.bluebell.com/the_little_creamery/press_releases/press_denver.html|archive-date=18 March 2011|url-status=dead}} Eventually, this flavor would be distributed to Blue Bell's entire sales territory. In May 2025, Blue Bell announced a revival of a popular flavor named Groom's Cake Ice Cream for a limited time. This flavor was discontinued in 2018, and was fans' No. 1 pick in their Great Scoop Revival Flavor Tournament in 2024.{{Cite web |title=Blue Bell bringing back beloved ice cream flavor ahead of summer |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Food/blue-bell-bringing-back-beloved-ice-cream-flavor/story?id=121371437 |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=2025-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250503032509/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Food/blue-bell-bringing-back-beloved-ice-cream-flavor/story?id=121371437 |url-status=live }} ==Operations== [[File:Modern Blue Bell Creameries factory located in Brenham, Texas.jpg|thumb|The Blue Bell factory in [Brenham](/source/Brenham)]] Before the 2015 recalls, there were 50 sales and distribution centers, known as branches, spread throughout its 24-state market. These facilities employed a combined 2,800 employees, with 850 of the employees working out of Brenham. In 2006, annual sales exceeded $400 million.{{citation | last = Ferrell | first = David | title = Tasteful Celebration | page = 36| newspaper = [Texas Aggie](/source/Texas_Aggie_(magazine)) | date = May–June 2007}} {{As of|2015|post=,}} the company operated three manufacturing facilities, with the largest facility in Brenham, and auxiliary facilities in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and [Sylacauga, Alabama](/source/Sylacauga%2C_Alabama). According to figures gathered by [Statista](/source/Statista), a market data and statistics portal, while combined private labels sold more, in 2014 Blue Bell was the best-selling ice cream brand in the United States.{{cite web | last = Statista | title = The leading 10 ice cream brands of the United States in 2014, based on sales (in million U.S. dollars) | publisher = Statista | date = August 10, 2014 | url = http://www.statista.com/statistics/190426/top-ice-cream-brands-in-the-united-states/ | accessdate = 2015-04-22 | archive-date = 2015-04-19 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150419073933/http://www.statista.com/statistics/190426/top-ice-cream-brands-in-the-united-states/ | url-status = live }} The sales area is primarily concentrated in the Southern United States, and has been sold as far west as [Las Vegas](/source/Las_Vegas), as far north as [Indianapolis](/source/Indianapolis) and [Denver](/source/Denver), and as far east as [Richmond, Virginia](/source/Richmond%2C_Virginia). Overall, this area comprises only 20% of the United States.{{Citation | first =John | last =Cornyn | author-link =John Cornyn | title =The Little Creamery that Could | work =Texas Times Weekly | date =March 30, 2007 | publisher =Office of Senator John Cornyn | url =https://www.src.senate.gov/public/_files/graphics/Thelittlecreamery.pdf | accessdate =2015-04-22 | archive-date =2016-12-27 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20161227040621/http://www.src.senate.gov/public/_files/graphics/Thelittlecreamery.pdf | url-status =dead }} By comparison, each of Blue Bell's top four competitors sells its products in 100% of the United States. To become one of the three biggest ice cream manufacturers, Blue Bell has consistently been the top seller in the majority of the markets the company has entered. For example, in its home state of [Texas](/source/Texas), the company has a 52% market share.{{cite web|last=cullar |first=Meg |title=Second Helping |publisher=Baylor Line |date=September 13, 2006 |url=http://www.baylor.edu/buaa/baylorline/news.php?action=story&story=42069 |accessdate=2007-04-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070915214726/http://www.baylor.edu/buaa/baylorline/news.php?action=story&story=42069 |archivedate=September 15, 2007 }} Within five months of its entry into [Baton Rouge, Louisiana](/source/Baton_Rouge%2C_Louisiana), the company had garnered 35% of the ice cream market.{{cite web | last = Dexheimer | first = Ellen | title = Blue Bell Creameries Inc - Movers & Shakers - company profile | publisher = Dairy Foods | date = April 1990 | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3301/is_n4_v91/ai_9081621 | accessdate = 2007-04-30 | archive-date = 2006-06-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060615084939/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3301/is_n4_v91/ai_9081621 | url-status = live }} People living outside the sales area can have the ice cream shipped to them (although this has temporarily been halted while the company is ramping up production after the recalls), and former [President](/source/President_of_the_United_States) [George W. Bush](/source/George_W._Bush) (a former Governor of Texas) often had the ice cream shipped to [Camp David](/source/Camp_David) during [his administration](/source/Presidency_of_George_W._Bush).{{citation|last=Ma |first=Ji |title=Blue Bell CEO encourages students to meet future challenges head-on |newspaper=[The Battalion](/source/The_Battalion) |date=October 21, 2004 |url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2004/10/21/News/Blue-Bell.Ceo.Encourages.Students.To.Meet.Future.Challenges.HeadOn-775184.shtml |accessdate=2007-04-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929111240/http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2004/10/21/News/Blue-Bell.Ceo.Encourages.Students.To.Meet.Future.Challenges.HeadOn-775184.shtml |archivedate=2007-09-29 }} In 2006 and 2012, [astronauts](/source/astronauts) aboard the [International Space Station](/source/International_Space_Station) were also treated to Blue Bell ice cream "to help out (the crew's) happiness quotient."{{citation | last = Watson | first = Traci | title = Orbiting station gets solar panels, and then dessert | newspaper = [USA Today](/source/USA_Today) | date = September 14, 2006 | url = https://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2006-09-14-iss-progress_x.htm | accessdate = 2007-04-30 | archive-date = 2007-05-07 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070507002843/http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2006-09-14-iss-progress_x.htm | url-status = live }} Blue Bell retains control over all aspects of its business, primarily to ensure quality control and the use of the freshest ingredients available. All production and packaging takes place within Blue Bell facilities, which are able to produce over 100 pints per minute.{{citation | last = Ferrell | first = David | title = Tasteful Celebration | pages = 36–37| newspaper = [Texas Aggie](/source/Texas_Aggie_(magazine)) | date = May–June 2007}} Drivers of delivery vehicles personally stock store shelves so they can ensure it is handled properly. The company uses milk from approximately 60,000 cows each day, and the cream used during each day's production run is always less than 24 hours old. The Kruses claim "the milk we use is so fresh it was grass only yesterday". ==See also== * [List of dairy product companies in the United States](/source/List_of_dairy_product_companies_in_the_United_States) ==References== {{Reflist}} ==Further reading== * {{cite book |last1=Detwiler |first1=Darin |title=Food Safety: Past, Present, and Predictions |date=2020 |publisher=Elsevier Academic Press |location=Cambridge, MA |isbn=9780128182192 |edition=1st |url=https://www.elsevier.com/books/food-safety/detwiler/978-0-12-818219-2}} * Hlavaty, Craig. "[http://blog.chron.com/thetexican/2013/09/who-exactly-are-those-people-on-the-blue-bell-ice-cream-boxes/ Who exactly are those people on the Blue Bell ice cream boxes?]" ''[Houston Chronicle](/source/Houston_Chronicle)''. Wednesday September 4, 2013. * Inampudi, Naveen and Debbie Z. Harwell. "[https://houstonhistorymagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Blue-Bell.pdf BLUE BELL: The Cream Rises to the Top]." ''[Houston History Magazine](/source/Houston_History_Magazine)''. Center for Public History, [University of Houston](/source/University_of_Houston). Volume 9, No. 2. p. 2-7. * [http://www.mybestyears.com/InterviewSpotlights/KRUSEEd101007.html Ed Kruse - MyBestYears.com INTERVIEW SPOTLIGHT] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007090743/http://www.mybestyears.com/InterviewSpotlights/KRUSEEd101007.html |date=2015-10-07 }} ==External links== {{Commons category|Blue Bell Creameries}} * {{Official website|http://www.bluebell.com/}} * [https://texasarchive.org/2017_00609 The Tyrrell Historical Library Collection - Blue Bell Creameries (1980)], [Texas Archive of the Moving Image](/source/Texas_Archive_of_the_Moving_Image) {{Brenham, Texas}} {{Portal bar|Companies|Food|Texas}} {{Authority control}} Category:1907 establishments in Texas Category:Brenham, Texas Category:Culture of Texas Category:Dairy products companies of the United States Category:Food and drink companies based in Texas Category:Food and drink companies established in 1907 Category:Ice cream brands --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Blue Bell Creameries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Bell_Creameries) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Bell_Creameries?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.