Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is opening a new location in Fayetteville at 2345 N. College Ave., in the building formerly occupied by Burger King, according to franchise owner Kenzie Greene.
The Fayetteville shop will be the second Arkansas location for the chain, which currently operates more than 150 stores across the U.S. The first Arkansas location opened in Rogers on West Pleasant Grove Road in March 2014.
Greene said the Fayetteville location has been in the works for some time. “We’ve been looking for the right spot for a while,” she said. “This space on North College Avenue just made sense — it’s visible, it’s accessible, and it’s in a part of town that really loves local food and drink.”
Handel’s is known for its rotating selection of house-made ice cream, with 48 flavors available at any given time. The shop draws from a library of 165 recipes, including non-dairy and vegan options. All of the ice cream is produced on-site, a point Greene emphasized as central to the brand. “People can taste the difference when something’s made fresh,” she said. “We’re not just scooping — we’re crafting.”
The Fayetteville location will feature the same model as the Rogers store, with a focus on community engagement and quality ingredients. The shop plans to offer seasonal flavors tied to Arkansas fruit and local events, in addition to its regular lineup.
Though an exact opening date hasn’t been announced, Greene said the buildout is in the final stages. “We’re hoping to open this summer,” she said. “We know people are ready for it — we’ve had a lot of folks stop by asking when we’ll be open.”
The 1945-founded company started as a single shop in Pennsylvania and has grown steadily, largely through franchise expansion. Handel’s prides itself on using fresh ingredients and avoiding artificial additives, a philosophy that’s resonated with customers across the country — and now, in Northwest Arkansas.
Greene and her husband, who also own the Rogers location, say they’re excited to bring the Handel’s experience to a new community. “Fayetteville has such a strong food culture,” Greene said. “We’re looking forward to being part of that.”
The new Fayetteville location is not the only recent development for the brand. Earlier this year, Handel’s announced plans to expand into Texas and Oklahoma, bringing its total number of stores to more than 160 by the end of 2026.
For now, though, the focus is local. The shop will operate daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. once open, offering scoops, shakes, and packaged pints for take-home enjoyment.
Those interested in updates can follow Handel’s social media accounts or sign up for announcements through the company website. The Fayetteville shop will also feature a small retail area with branded merchandise and local partnerships, including baked goods from nearby vendors.
Source: Fayetteville Flyer
