Ice cream stocks are far from the cool investment theme they were over the past century. But with global sales expected to exceed $130 billion within the next decade, ice cream takes a big scoop out of the global consumer's dessert budget. From grocery store sales to ice cream parlors, ice cream is a top impulse buy for consumers around the globe -- and a fiercely competitive industry.
Investing in ice cream stocks in 2025
Large conglomerates have acquired most of the ice cream brands in the freezers at our local supermarkets. There are few pure plays on ice cream, and it's far from a fast-growing industry. Nevertheless, if stable growth and income are among your goals, here are some ice cream stocks to consider.
1. Berkshire Hathaway
NYSE: BRK.B
Key Data Points
Warren Buffett's massive business conglomerate has its hands in nearly every aspect of the economy. Although wholly owned insurance, industrial, and utility businesses feature heavily in the portfolio, so does ice cream, as Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A +1.14%) (BRK.B +1.22%) owns the fast-food chain Dairy Queen. (You can sometimes spot Buffett munching on a DQ cone or ice cream bar during public events.)
Of the companies on our list, Berkshire Hathaway stock is the least focused on ice cream. Even so, Dairy Queen is a top name in the business and can be an indirect investment with a scoop or two of Buffett's company.
2. Nestlé
OTC: NSRGY
Key Data Points
NYSE: UL
Key Data Points
U.K.-based behemoth Unilever (UL -0.07%) owns hundreds of consumer staples and household goods brands, from soaps and cleaners to personal care items and food products. Its sprawling portfolio includes premium ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's, which became famous for its emphasis on political and social issues.
Unilever acquired the "friendly capitalism" champ in 2000. However, its eponymous founders filed a lawsuit in 2024, claiming Unilever had breached a merger agreement by muzzling the company's voice on key social issues.
Unilever has also announced plans to spin off its entire ice cream business, including Ben & Jerry's, into a separate, stand-alone company. Like some of the other food and household product conglomerates on this list, Unilever is a great stock for investors seeking income.
4. General Mills
NYSE: GIS
Key Data Points
6. McDonald's
NYSE: MCD
Key Data Points
7. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
NASDAQ: RMCF
Key Data Points
Related investing topics
How to invest in ice cream stocks
If you want to invest in ice cream stocks, here are the steps you need to follow to add these companies to a diversified portfolio.
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
About the Author
