Handel's Ice Cream, acclaimed as the #1 ice cream in the world by National Geographic, is expanding its Southern California footprint with a new location in Carmel Mountain Ranch. The shop, located at 11134 Rancho Carmel Drive in the Carmel Mountain Plaza, will celebrate its Grand Opening on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
The new 1,600-square-foot walk-up shop features eight service windows to ensure efficient service during peak hours. It will offer 48 rotating flavors made fresh daily, along with pickup and delivery options through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Postmates, as well as catering services. The shop will be open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
To mark the occasion, the location will host multiple giveaways throughout the day, and the first 30 guests in line starting at 11:00 a.m. will receive an exclusive Handel's spoon.
The Carmel Mountain Ranch debut is led by a dedicated team of partners: Keith and Shirlyn Kesler, Travis and Tarah Campbell, and Tammi Weenig. This group of friends and family brings a deep-rooted passion for the brand and a commitment to community-centric entrepreneurship. Keith, who spent 30 years in the corporate world, transitioned into this venture to focus on building a business centered on joy and local connection.
This milestone marks the 12th Handel's location for the partners, who have spent years perfecting the art of delivering the brand's "made fresh daily" philosophy to communities across the region. "After three decades in corporate America, I wanted to lead a venture that was purely about happiness," said Keith Kesler, Co-Owner of Handel's Carmel Mountain Ranch. "We have truly enjoyed being a part of this community over the years and look forward to seeing all the great families we have come to know."
The partners have already been active in the area through fundraising and catering events and are eager to further those local ties. "We didn't want just any ice cream shop—we aimed to bring the 'World's Best Ice Cream' to our community," Kesler said. "With this being our 12th shop, our mission remains the same: creating lasting memories for San Diego families."
Handel's Ice Cream has been making and selling ice cream since 1945, founded in Youngstown, Ohio. The brand has earned numerous industry accolades, including being ranked the #1 Sweet Treat and a Top 10 Brand to Buy by Franchise Times, and is recognized on the publication's Top 400 list of the largest franchise systems in the United States. Additionally, Handel's was recognized on Fast Casual's Movers & Shakers 2025 list, while CEO Jennifer Schuler was named among the Top 25 Industry Executives. The brand is also a Top 500 Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine.
With over 175 locations across 20 states and growing, Handel's continues to expand its presence. For more information about the new Carmel Mountain Ranch location, visit their website or follow them on Instagram @handelscarmelmountain.
