Family owned and operated in Chicago since 1919, Petersen’s has always been about more than ice cream, it’s about tradition, family, and community. After being passed down through generations, the story took a new chapter when I moved to Gilbert, Arizona over a decade ago and opened our first location outside of Chicago. Before planting roots in Downtown Gilbert, I spent time living in Phoenix, searching for the right place to begin this journey. That search ended when I met my future wife, who was born and raised in Gilbert. I fell in love with both her and the town, and that’s what led to the decision to open here. Today, Gilbert isn’t just where we work, it’s home. Together we’re raising our daughter and twin boys in this community we cherish.
“Our story in Gilbert began with love, love for family, love for community, and love for ice cream.”
In June of this year, we opened our second Gilbert location off Higley and Queen Creek Road, and we’re not stopping there. A third Gilbert shop is already planned for next year, a clear reflection of how deeply we believe in this town. Gilbert’s family atmosphere and sense of togetherness are unmatched. It’s where our families live, where our kids go to school, and where we’ve built bonds that extend far beyond customer service.
“We like to say Petersen’s isn’t just our ice cream parlor, it’s all of Gilbert’s ice cream parlor.”
The support we’ve received here has been incredible. Customers don’t just come in for a scoop; they become friends, helping us with marketing, school connections, and spreading the word. This collaboration between business and community has been one of the most rewarding experiences. And as much as we love Gilbert, we’re excited to expand further, at the end of this year, Petersen’s will open another location in Surprise, Arizona.
The growth of Petersen’s wouldn’t have been possible without my business partners. There are four of us now, friends who met in Gilbert and quickly became family. Each of us brings unique skills and strengths to the business, and together we’ve created something much bigger than any one of us could have achieved alone.
“Working with your best friends doesn’t feel like work at all, it feels like living the dream.”
From sharing meals to working out, golfing, eating ice cream, and enjoying time with all of our families, our bond goes well beyond business. Between us, there are ten kids, and they are growing up together just like the business itself. I can still remember being on the golf course with my friends when we joked about needing to do more ventures together. Within a week, that casual conversation turned into a commitment to expand Petersen’s. The future feels exciting not just because of the business, but because of the people I get to share it with.
What makes Petersen’s truly special is our identity as one of the few remaining Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlors. When you step into our shops, you’re greeted by the sounds of 1950s music, the irresistible smell of fresh waffle cones baking, and the sight of families making memories together. Over the years, we’ve witnessed countless firsts and milestones.
“We’ve had proposals at our counters, baby showers in our shops, and more first ice creams than we can count.”
Watching children grow up over the last ten years has been an unexpected joy—it feels like we’ve been part of their lives in a small but meaningful way. That’s the heart of what we do: creating moments that last.
Of course, the ice cream itself is a huge part of the experience. Petersen’s is known for classic, beloved flavors like Superman, Blue Moon, Pothole, and Mackinac Island Fudge. But we also take pride in offering something for every palate, from adventurous options like Carrot Cake, Lemon Cheesecake, and Tennessee Toffee, to crowd favorites like Rush Hour. And then there’s the famous Pineapple Dole Whip, a flavor that checks every box—it’s gluten free, fat free, dairy free, vegan, and only 95 calories per scoop. It’s one of those treats that allows everyone, no matter their diet, to enjoy a taste of happiness.
“We’re the only ice cream parlor to exclusively carry BYU Creamery’s Graham Canyon flavor—another reason to stop by for a scoop.”
When people ask me what flavor I recommend, I honestly can’t pick just one. My advice is always to sample a few and then make sure to enjoy them in our world-famous homemade waffle cone. That cone, warm and crisp, filled with the ice cream of your choice, is the perfect symbol of what Petersen’s is all about, classic, timeless, and filled with joy.
Looking back at how far we’ve come, it’s humbling. From a family-owned shop in Chicago more than 100 years ago to our bustling ice cream parlors in Gilbert and beyond, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to tradition, family, and community. Every scoop we serve carries with it a piece of that history and a promise to keep building connections through something as simple, yet profound, as ice cream.
“We’re not just serving ice cream, we’re serving memories, one cone at a time.”
And as Petersen’s continues to grow, our heart remains in Gilbert. This is where our roots are now, where our children are growing up, and where every customer feels like a friend. From Chicago to Arizona, our story has always been about bringing people together. And we can’t wait to see where the next chapter takes us, with plenty of ice cream along the way.