VENTURES AFRICA- Cold Stone Creamery, an American-based international ice cream confectionery has signed a Master Franchise Agreement with Wilshire Foods SA LTD to launch business in South Africa – making it the 26th country the brand has entered.

Cold Stone Creamery’s first store in Africa was in Egypt, where it launched in June 2012 before expanding to Nigeria in September that same year.

Kahala, the parent company of Cold Stone Creamery, said working with another first-class Master Partner has enabled Cold Stone Creamery to spread America’s most innovative ice cream concept worldwide.

“Partnering with such a diverse and respected company as Wilshire Foods SA LTD strengthens the portfolio of our brand and aligns us with an organization that has played an integral role in South Africa’s growth,” Kevin Blackwell, co-CEO of Kahala, said.

“South Africa is an exciting and emerging market, whose consumers appreciate high quality brands. We see the South African market as the foundation of our growth through the region, and together with Wilshire Foods SA (PTY) LTD, we are thrilled to introduce the Cold Stone Creamery experience to the country’s 50 million ice cream and dessert lovers,” Blackwell concluded.

Wilshire Foods SA (PTY) LTD brings over a decade of experience and excellent managerial skills in several industries in South Africa including Technology, Real Estate and Mining. They are also a supplier for snacks and FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) for some of the largest high end supermarket chains in South Africa.

The company also owns a luxurious Five Star resort and various multi-unit residential properties and developments as well as an extensive land bank across South Africa and India.