Marble Slab Creamery
An American franchised ice-cream chain known for mixing customer-selected ingredients into ice cream on a frozen granite slab.
Last updated October 30, 2026
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Overview
Marble Slab Creamery is an American ice-cream retail chain whose distinguishing service method is the preparation of customized frozen desserts on a chilled granite work surface. Customers select an ice-cream flavor and add mix-ins such as sweets, fruit, nuts, or other toppings. Staff then combine the ingredients on the frozen slab before serving the finished product. The method gives the chain a visible, made-to-order presentation and differentiates it from conventional scoop-service ice-cream shops. The business began in Houston, Texas, in 1983 as a single shop called Cones & Cream. It was founded by chefs Sigmund Penn and Tom LePage, who drew inspiration from the topping-mixing approach associated with Steve Herrell and Herrell's Ice Cream in Boston. In 1986, the business adopted a frozen granite slab for blending ingredients into ice cream, a feature that became central to the Marble Slab identity. Later that year, Texas businessman Ronnie Hankamer acquired the company and developed the franchising model that enabled the concept to expand beyond its original Houston operation. Marble Slab's core offer is homemade-style ice cream served in customizable combinations. Its menu has also included ice-cream cakes, sundaes, milkshakes, and smoothies. The format is designed around customization and theatrical preparation rather than a narrow set of standardized flavors. This positions the chain in the experiential dessert and specialty quick-service segment, competing for occasions such as family outings, celebrations, and impulse treats. The company expanded from a southeastern United States presence into a broader franchise network during the 2000s. In 2007, it received placements in several Entrepreneur franchise rankings, including the Franchise 500, fastest-growing franchises, and top global franchises lists. These rankings reflected the chain's expansion profile rather than a public-company operating disclosure. Ownership changed several times. Global Franchise Group acquired Marble Slab Creamery in February 2007, taking the business private. The brand was subsequently associated with other Global Franchise Group concepts, including MaggieMoo's Ice Cream and Treatery and Great American Cookies. In 2010, NexCen announced the sale of its franchise business to Global Franchise Group, an affiliate of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners. Global Franchise Group later became associated with Lion Capital and Serruya Private Equity. FAT Brands announced an agreement to acquire Global Franchise Group in June 2021, and the transaction closed in July 2021. The brand's corporate offices are identified in Atlanta, Georgia. Its locations are independently owned and franchised, and reference material describes a network of more than 391 stores across multiple countries. Because the chain operates through franchisees, local product availability, ownership, and market presence may vary. Marble Slab therefore functions primarily as a branded retail and franchising system rather than as a single centrally operated restaurant company.
History
Marble Slab Creamery originated in Houston, Texas, in 1983 under the name Cones & Cream. Chefs Sigmund Penn and Tom LePage established the original single-unit operation and developed a concept influenced by the practice of mixing toppings into ice cream at the point of service. Their inspiration included Steve Herrell, whose Boston ice-cream business was known for combining inclusions with scooped ice cream. The business adopted the Marble Slab name and its signature preparation method in 1986. That year, it became the first ice-cream treatery identified in the reference material as using a frozen granite slab to blend mix-ins into ice cream. The slab was more than a preparation surface: it became a visible part of the customer experience and the principal feature distinguishing the concept. Customers could choose ingredients and watch employees combine them with the ice cream before serving. Also in 1986, Texas businessman Ronnie Hankamer acquired the company. Under his ownership, the business established the foundations of its franchise model. Franchising allowed the concept to expand without relying solely on company-operated stores and placed local operators at the center of day-to-day retail activity. The chain subsequently developed a presence beyond Houston and became associated with the southeastern United States before expanding more broadly. During the late 2000s, Marble Slab was described as a fast-growing franchise. Entrepreneur magazine listed it in multiple 2007 franchise rankings: number 93 in the Franchise 500, number 72 among fastest-growing franchises, and number 75 among America's top global franchises. These rankings helped document the brand's growth and international franchise ambitions during that period. The company underwent a major ownership change in February 2007, when Global Franchise Group acquired it and took it off the stock market. Marble Slab became part of a multi-brand franchising platform that also included MaggieMoo's Ice Cream and Treatery and Great American Cookies. Before the acquisition, the company's headquarters had been in Houston's Westchase area. After the NexCen-related transition, corporate offices were located in the Atlanta metropolitan area, including unincorporated Gwinnett County. In July 2010, NexCen announced the sale of its franchise business to Global Franchise Group, an affiliate of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners. Global Franchise Group later became associated with Lion Capital and Serruya Private Equity. On June 28, 2021, FAT Brands announced that it would acquire Global Franchise Group. The acquisition closed on July 22, 2021, adding Marble Slab Creamery to FAT Brands' portfolio of franchised and restaurant concepts. The reference material records a further ownership transition in 2026. FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on January 26, 2026, citing the need to address substantial debt. After court approval of an asset sale, FBG Bid Co. acquired the remaining FAT Brands assets, including Marble Slab Creamery, for $595 million on June 18, 2026. Marble Slab's business remains centered on franchised ice-cream shops. Its principal offer is customizable ice cream mixed on a frozen granite slab, supplemented by cakes, sundaes, milkshakes, smoothies, and other frozen desserts. Reference material describes more than 391 independently owned and franchised stores in various countries. The available sources do not provide a complete current country-by-country store list, detailed financial statements, or a verified list of current corporate executives.
- 2026
FAT Brands bankruptcy and asset sale
[1]FAT Brands entered Chapter 11 proceedings, followed by the court-approved sale of its remaining assets to FBG Bid Co., including Marble Slab Creamery.
- 2021
FAT Brands acquisition completed
[1]FAT Brands completed its acquisition of Global Franchise Group, placing Marble Slab Creamery in the FAT Brands portfolio.
- 2010
Franchise business transferred to Global Franchise Group
[1]NexCen announced the sale of its franchise business to Global Franchise Group, an affiliate of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners.
- 2007
Global Franchise Group acquisition
[1]Global Franchise Group acquired Marble Slab Creamery and took it off the stock market.
- 2007
Entrepreneur franchise rankings
[1]The chain appeared in several Entrepreneur franchise rankings, including the Franchise 500, fastest-growing franchises, and top global franchises.
- 1986
Frozen granite slab method introduced
[1]The business adopted the frozen granite slab technique for blending mix-ins into ice cream, establishing the preparation method associated with Marble Slab Creamery.
- 1986
Ronnie Hankamer acquired the business
[1]Texas businessman Ronnie Hankamer purchased the company and laid the groundwork for its franchising strategy.
- 1983
Original Houston operation founded
[1]Sigmund Penn and Tom LePage founded a single-unit ice-cream business called Cones & Cream in Houston, Texas.
Products and positioning
An experiential, customizable ice-cream franchise centered on made-to-order preparation and visible mixing of inclusions on a frozen granite slab.
Ice cream · 1986
Custom-mixed ice cream
The chain's signature product is ice cream customized with customer-selected mix-ins. Employees combine the ice cream and inclusions on a frozen granite slab, creating a made-to-order dessert with a visible preparation ritual. The format supports combinations involving sweets, fruit, nuts, and other toppings, although exact choices can differ by location.
Frozen dessert
Ice-cream cakes
Ice-cream cakes extend the brand's dessert range beyond individual servings and are intended for celebrations and group occasions. The available reference material identifies cakes as part of the chain's broader menu but does not specify a uniform national assortment, recipes, or current flavor lineup.
Frozen dessert
Sundaes
Sundaes are among the additional frozen desserts offered by Marble Slab Creamery. They provide a more structured dessert format than the chain's custom slab-mixed combinations, using ice cream and toppings in a prepared serving. Product details and availability may vary among independently operated franchise locations.
Beverage
Milkshakes
Milkshakes form part of the chain's supplemental beverage and dessert menu. They broaden the concept beyond scoop-based products and give customers a drinkable frozen option. The reference material does not establish a complete standardized list of shake flavors or current availability by market.
Beverage
Smoothies
Smoothies are also identified among Marble Slab Creamery's offerings. They provide a non-scoop frozen beverage alternative within the broader dessert-shop format. Specific ingredients, nutritional information, and current market availability are not established by the supplied sources.
Brand decisions
2026
Asset acquisition by FBG Bid Co.M&ABackground
FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 protection while seeking to address its debt and reorganize its business.
Action taken
After court approval, FBG Bid Co. acquired FAT Brands' remaining assets, including Marble Slab Creamery, on June 18, 2026.
Aftermath
The brand moved into the ownership of FBG Bid Co. following the FAT Brands restructuring process.
Asset purchase price. $595 million (June 18, 2026)
2021
Global Franchise Group acquired by FAT BrandsM&ABackground
Global Franchise Group controlled a portfolio of franchise brands that FAT Brands sought to add to its restaurant platform.
Action taken
FAT Brands announced the acquisition on June 28, 2021, and completed it on July 22, 2021.
Aftermath
Marble Slab Creamery became part of the FAT Brands group.
2007
Acquisition by Global Franchise GroupM&ABackground
Marble Slab Creamery had developed as a growing ice-cream franchise and was positioned for inclusion in a multi-brand franchising platform.
Action taken
Global Franchise Group purchased the company and removed it from the stock market.
Aftermath
Marble Slab operated as a private franchise brand alongside other Global Franchise Group concepts.
1986
Adoption of frozen granite slab preparationProduct launchBackground
The original ice-cream concept was influenced by the practice of mixing toppings into ice cream at the point of service.
Action taken
Marble Slab introduced a frozen granite slab for combining ice cream with customer-selected mix-ins.
Aftermath
The slab became the chain's defining service feature and a central part of its customer experience.
1986
Franchising model developedStrategyBackground
Following the acquisition of the business by Ronnie Hankamer, the company sought a scalable way to expand beyond its original Houston operation.
Action taken
The business laid the groundwork for a franchise-based expansion system.
Aftermath
The chain expanded through independently owned and operated locations in the United States and international markets.
Sources2 sources
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