We're One Big Family

Meet Judy: 

Judy L. joined Gelu in July 2021, after spending 15 years as a teacher and school counselor. Her journey began when she discovered Gelu at a park during her daughter’s volleyball practice. Captivated by the product, she visited the truck often and finally inquired about becoming a licensee 18 months later. Starting with a van, Judy quickly expanded her fleet to include a trailer, two box trucks, and several carts, with plans for even more. She’s built her success by actively engaging her hometown community through fundraisers, Chamber of Commerce events, and youth sports. Judy’s team, staffed with friends and fellow teachers, has helped her grow sales to over $300K annually for two consecutive years. Her dedication has earned her multiple awards, including Best Food Truck, Best Frozen Dessert, Most Philanthropic, and Business of the Month. Judy’s story is a testament to the power of passion and community connection.

Meet Ann S.: 

Ann S., a mother of five active kids involved in sports, first discovered Gelu Italian Ice at a softball tournament. While watching the long lines at the Gelu truck, she wondered if owning her own Italian ice business might be a great opportunity. She picked up a business card but did not reach out to Gelu for nearly two years. During that time, Ann explored other Italian ice franchise options. She even ordered samples for her family to try, but the product did not impress them as it sat untouched in their freezer despite having five kids in the house. Initially, her husband Jake was skeptical about the idea, but he agreed to start small with just a pushcart. On their very first day, Ann set up the cart at their daughter’s softball tournament and made over $1,000 in sales, even with a Kona Ice truck at the same event. Jake’s excitement grew as they saw the potential. By the end of their first season, Jake and Ann invested in a Gelu van, allowing them to work multiple events simultaneously. Today, their Gelu business is a family affair, with their children, now ages 12 to 19, actively helping out. Beyond the financial rewards, the business has allowed their family to enjoy incredible experiences, like a two-week cruise and a trip to Europe. Jake, who once doubted the business, has become their best salesperson and a true believer in the Gelu brand.

Meet James H: 

James H purchased an ice cream/sweet treats concession business in 2023 that had a contract at NRG Stadium. When the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo began at the stadium that year, he wanted to offer Italian Ice, but his ice cream supplier was not able to meet their demands and lead time requirements. This prompted James to reach out to Gelu and he, his family and staff got very excited when they tasted the product, and found out how many flavors were available. Then, when they found out Gelu is made and stocked in the Houston area, with delivery being possible with just a day’s notice, they saw how beneficial it could be to their business. Having to pay a license fee was unusual just for the right to sell a product in the stadium. However, that’s the decision that was made, and they have not looked back. Within the first few weeks Gelu surpassed their sales of ice cream. There are now 16 Gelu stands in the stadium for all events such as NFL Houston Texans football, NCAA Final Four Basketball Tournament, concerts such as Taylor Swift and Beyonce, Disney on Ice, and of course the Houston Rodeo. They also feature Gelu21 at several of their stands, which is a slushy boozy Gelu mixture. This has been so popular that at some events a single Gelu21 stand will outsell a full Aramark bar with several bartenders! James and his family decided not to limit themselves to the stadium, and they purchased a van and a truck to give them flexibility to do other events as well.