tesg's guide to big chain road food consumption

CHAIN -- Baskin-Robbins
Owner -- Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants
Primary Operating Region -- Global
Number of Locations -- Over 5,000

Admit it.  You've been there at least once in your life.  We all have.  They've been around seemingly forever. 

Baskin-Robbins began in 1945 when Irv Robbins and brother-in-law Burt Baskin, operating competing stores at the time, came together to form Baskin-Robbins (a flip of the coin decided which name came first).  Six stores were in operation by 1948, then they began franchising.  The signature "31" flavors came to be in 1953, signifying a flavor for every day of the month.  Baskin died in 1967.  Robbins died in 2008 at the age of 90.

It's the "31 Flavors" that became Baskin-Robbins trademark.  From coast-to-coast, the chain flourished.  Clever marketing in the form of special flavors provide a tasty history to world events.  "Baseball Nut" (complete with a raspberry for the umpire) came when the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to LA.  "Beatle Nut" came in 1964 as a result of Beatle mania.  "0031 Super Secret Bonded Flavor" celebrated James Bond, and "Lunar Cheesecake" was a popular flavor when Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon.

There are a lot of ice cream shops out there today, but Baskin-Robbins continues as part of a restaurant group that also owns Dunkin Donuts and Togo Sandwiches.  The parent company has pushed co-branding for awhile and did something so dumb a few years back that they actually ended up being responsible for a new competitor.  Kaleidoscoops rose from a situation where Baskin-Robbins told the franchisees they would be losing their franchise as Baskin-Robbins concentrated on other markets.  Kaleidoscoops has not only given these former franchisees a new lease on life, it's actually picked up some other stores who decided they'd rather be more independent of not only Baskin-Robbins, but some other chains too.

You can still choose from 31 flavors, or you can grab a Smoothie or a frozen birthday cake.  They still make my favorite Chocolate-Chip Mint ice cream, and Winter White Chocolate is pretty awesome too.  They make a fine two-scoop sundae topped with marshmallow, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry.

Yes it's harder to compete with so many "gourmet" premium ice creams in grocery stores today, but once in awhile, who can resist.

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