PNC Brands Group Acquires Majority Interest in Ice Cream Factory
- Gail Kurpgeweit
- Oct 15, 2025
- 3 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact
Gail Kurpgeweit
PNC Brands Group Acquires Majority Interest in Ice Cream Factory
Founder Shannon Imler to Remain as Chief Growth Officer.
Lebanon, MO – October 15, 2025
PNC Brands Group, parent company of Pivot North Consulting Group and PNC Specialty
Foods, has acquired a majority interest in Ice Cream Factory, the beloved family-owned ice cream company based in Lebanon, Missouri. Founder Shannon Imler will continue to play a central role in the company’s growth as Chief Growth Officer, while Gail Kurpgeweit, CEO of PNC Brands Group, will take on the role of Chief Executive Officer of Ice Cream Factory.
Ice Cream Factory has earned a devoted following across the Midwest for its handcrafted flavors, small-batch quality, and community roots. The company operates from a restored 90,000-square-foot historic dairy plant in Lebanon, originally built in the 1940s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The facility will remain the brand’s headquarters and manufacturing hub while entering a new stage of modernization and expansion.
Under PNC’s leadership, Ice Cream Factory will undergo targeted upgrades to maximize
production efficiency and capacity. Plans include updated processing lines, expanded frozen storage, and a new savory production line to broaden co-manufacturing capabilities. These improvements will strengthen Ice Cream Factory’s position as both a premium ice cream producer and a trusted partner for emerging food brands seeking scalable production support.
The acquisition also creates new advantages for PNC’s existing and future clients. With Ice Cream Factory’s expanded manufacturing capacity, PNC can now offer end-to-end
commercialization - from recipe development and formulation to co-manufacturing, packaging, brokerage, and retail distribution - all within one vertically integrated platform. This alignment shortens lead times, improves quality control, and reduces costs for restaurant and emerging food brands utilizing PNC’s Menu to Market® system.
Ice Cream Factory’s co-packing clients will also benefit from PNC’s broader infrastructure, gaining access to R&D and product development expertise, brand and packaging design, and national brokerage and distribution channels. Together, these combined resources provide a true one-stop platform for food brands ready to scale.
“Our goal is to preserve everything that makes Ice Cream Factory special while expanding its ability to grow,” said Gail Kurpgeweit, CEO of PNC Brands Group. “Shannon’s leadership and creativity are at the core of the brand’s success. Together, we’re building a stronger foundation for future growth, one that benefits the community, our clients, and our consumers.”
“I’m proud of what we’ve built and excited for what’s ahead,” said Shannon Imler. “Partnering with PNC Brands Group allows us to strengthen operations, expand opportunities, and support other food entrepreneurs, all while staying true to our roots here in Missouri.” The company will retain current employee positions and expects to add 12–15 new jobs in production, research and development, and client support. The expansion will also drive economic activity through local suppliers, packaging vendors, and logistics partners. About Ice Cream Factory
Founded in 2019 by Shannon and Katie Imler, Ice Cream Factory produces premium,
handcrafted ice cream distributed in thousands of retail outlets nationwide and provides co-manufacturing services for regional and emerging food brands.
About PNC Brands Group
PNC Brands Group is the parent company of Pivot North Consulting Group and PNC
Specialty Foods, creators of the Menu to Market® program. The group provides integrated support for food brands through R&D, packaging design, brokerage, distribution, and national sell-through systems.
Relevant Links:
Target Audience:
Grocery Retailer Industry Publications
Restaurant Industry Publications
Business Publications
Geographical Publications: Lebanon, Missouri and Scottsdale, Arizona
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