Kahala Brands, the parent company of Cold Stone Creamery has appointed a Vietnamese franchise partner.

The first of a planned 30 Cold Stone Creamery Vietnam stores will open this year in Ho Chi Minh City in partnership with TNC Holdings subsidiary CS Vietnam Ice Cream Co.

“With the rapid increase in youthful consumers demanding higher quality products we are thrilled that Vietnam will be the next international market delivering the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience,” said Eddy Jimenez, senior VP of international operations and development for Kahala.

TNC is described by Kahala as “the leading and most experienced company in Vietnam”.

“We know they will do a wonderful job at exemplifying what the Cold Stone Creamery brand is and they will continue to carry on the amazing culture we have developed worldwide.”

TNC specialises in branding, distribution and manufacturing of fast moving consumer goods, including beverages, specifically coffee and tea, and personal care products. TNC also owns retail brands and franchises, including convenience stores, supermarkets and F&B chains.

TNC has the local rights to Korean cafe chain Hollys Coffee, Incito coffee and Japanese hotpot restaurant Mizuchi in its portfolio, but has few stores trading under those brands.

Kahala says TNC has a vision to be one of the top 10 consumer and retail companies in Vietnam, grossing US$1 billion by 2020.

“Cold Stone Creamery is a premium American ice cream concept and the product will be very inviting to the Vietnamese people,” said Phan Duc Binh, CEO of TNC.

“However, it’s the in store experience and the fun environment Cold Stone Creamery creates that keep people coming back. The mission of making people happy, a very energetic culture and core values shared among all the stakeholders in the system is why TNC pursued Cold Stone Creamery.”

Cold Stone Creamery opened its first store outside its US home market in November 2005 in Tokyo, Japan. Since then it has expanded the chain into nearly 300 international locations in more than 25 countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Kuwait, Qatar and Nigeria.

The chain’s point of difference is that it makes ice cream fresh in store daily, and mixes it with flavours and ingredients like fruits, chocolate and nuts, on a cold marble slab in front of the customer.