About Breyers History
An American classic since 1866
Who We Are
In 1866, during the wake of the American Civil War, William A. Breyer of Philadelphia hand-cranked his first gallon of ice cream using some of the same ingredients we use today—rich cream, pure cane sugar and nuts. He sold his ice cream to his neighbors with the promise that it was created with the finest ingredients. Word spread quickly, and Breyer’s ice cream was soon declared to be Philadelphia’s best.
The Rich History of Breyers®
1866
William A. Breyer of Philadelphia hand-cranked his first gallon of ice cream created with the finest ingredients—some of the very same that we use today.
1882
Breyer opened his first ice cream shop, quickly followed by four more. He continued to make his own recipe by hand and delivered it across the Philadelphia in a horse-drawn wagon.
1896
30 years after William A. Breyer hand-cranked his first gallon of ice cream, the Breyer family opened their first wholesale manufacturing center. William’s son, Henry, incorporated the business in soon after, carrying on his father’s commitment to high quality ice cream.
1918
Ten years later, Breyers® Ice Cream Company was making more than one million gallons of ice cream every year, shipping it across the northeast from New York City to Washington D.C.
1993
The Breyers® Ice Cream Company was bought by Unilever® from Kraft®, becoming a part of the Gold Bond-Good Humor Ice Cream Company, which was renamed to the Good Humor-Breyers® Ice Cream Company.
2015
Breyers® created our pledge as an homage to the standard set by our founder: to start with only high quality ingredients, like colors and flavors from natural sources, sustainably farmed vanilla and 100% Grade A milk and cream that comes from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones. *
*Suppliers of other ingredients such as cookies, candies & sauces may not be able to make this claim. The FDA states that no significant difference has been shown between dairy derived from rBST-treated and non-rBST-treated cows.
2016
We celebrated 150 years of Breyers® as a classic American favorite since beginning with our very first hand-cranked gallon in 1866.
We Are Committed to Using High Quality Ingredients
At Breyers®, we start with high quality ingredients like colors and flavors from natural sources and sustainably farmed vanilla. We partner with American farmers for 100% Grade A milk and cream that comes from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones.*
*The FDA states that no significant difference has been shown between dairy derived from rBST-treated and non-rBST-treated cows.
Quality Taste from Quality Ingredients
Don’t take our word for it—try it yourself. From classic flavors to specialty treats, we have something sweet for everyone.
Breyers® Natural Vanilla, our original vanilla recipe, is made with the simplest ingredients. Its distinctive taste pairs perfect with freshly baked desserts.
Breyers® CarbSmart™ Vanilla is a sweet indulgence for carb watchers. Now you can have dessert while still eating healthy! Try it today!
Discover the Breyers® CarbSmart™ Chocolate treat! It's perfect when you want something sweet for dessert while still eating healthy!
Breyers® Butter Almond is gluten free and made with creamy vanilla ice cream, almond pieces and a dash of salt. The perfect combination of salty and sweet!
Breyers® CarbSmart™ Fudge Bar is rich on chocolate taste but low on carbs! Now you can enjoy dessert even when you are trying to eat healthy!
Dig into a mouth-watering scoop of Breyers® Chocolate ice cream. Gluten free and Kosher dairy, it's no wonder why this creamy chocolate is America's favorite.