Millie's Homemade Ice Cream Partners with Franchise FastLane for National Expansion

Millie's Homemade Ice Cream has formed a strategic partnership with Franchise FastLane to drive nationwide expansion through franchising, marking a significant step in the brand's growth trajectory. The Pittsburgh-based ice cream company, founded by husband-and-wife team Chad and Lauren Townsend in 2016, has joined Franchise FastLane's CarPool program, which provides emerging brands with the tools, coaching, and momentum needed to scale responsibly while preserving their authentic identity.

The decision to pursue franchising in 2021 emerged naturally from Millie's organic growth, with loyal customers frequently inquiring about bringing the brand to their hometowns. As of October 2025, the company has expanded to 20 locations across Pennsylvania and Florida, including brick-and-mortar shops, food trucks, and specialty venues. Chad Townsend, a chef with experience in Pittsburgh's top restaurants and a Michelin-starred kitchen in France, emphasized that CarPool represents the missing link for expansion beyond Pennsylvania, providing the professionalism, strategy, and structure needed for growth while maintaining the authenticity that defines Millie's.

Through the CarPool program, Millie's is collaborating with Franchise FastLane to identify franchise partners who share their commitment to hospitality, community connection, and local flavor development. Tim Koch, President & COO of Franchise FastLane, noted that Millie's exemplifies the type of brand that makes franchising meaningful, built on passion, quality, and community values developed over nearly a decade of operation.

Franchise FastLane launched CarPool in 2023 to offer franchise development coaching and administrative services for brands seeking to perfect their processes and integrate with proven systems. Participants in the CarPool program maintain sales development in-house while receiving support that includes organic lead qualification, territory checks, call scheduling, and compliance assistance. Additional information about Franchise FastLane's CarPool Program is available at https://www.franchisefastlane.com/carpool.

All CarPool partners gain access to Franchise FastLane's exclusive MasterMind program, where brand leaders collaborate with other FastLane Founders to share insights, explore innovative ideas, and strengthen operational systems. These sessions foster open discussion to refine franchisee support, address challenges, and identify growth opportunities while encouraging both professional and personal development.

This partnership represents a significant milestone for Millie's, which began as a kitchen experiment when the Townsends purchased an expensive ice cream maker and has evolved into a multi-location operation with a factory in Homestead, Pennsylvania. The company's expansion strategy focuses on maintaining its core values of authenticity, thoughtfully sourced ingredients, and community relationships while reaching new markets across the United States.