US ice cream parlor Cold Stone Creamery has finally opened its first outlet in the Philippines, almost a year after premium ice cream chain Haagen Dazs exited the market.

The exit of Haagen Dazs from the Philippines makes Cold Stone Creamery the only premium ice cream brand in the country, says Michael McGill, president of international.

“We love ice cream competition and I’m sorry they left the country but we see this as an opportunity for our brand to really appeal to the masses, with our unique experience, our ice cream is made fresh in the store every day,” he said.

Cold Stone Creamery is operated by local company Arizona Ice Cream Corporation, which plans to open 15 outlets over the next five years.

A second outlet will be opened at SM Mall of Asia in June.

McGill says he is confident of the market due to the country’s economic climate.

“There’s an emerging middle class in the Philippines and also the sense that there isn’t a super-premium ice cream concept in the Philippines. So we felt we can come here and fill the need of ice cream lovers here,” he said.