Baskin Robbins is here

Largest ice cream franchise in the world to sizzle Lankan taste buds

By Nizla Naizer and Eleni Kirby

From the scrumptious Very Berry Strawberry to the addictive chocolate chip cookie dough, from the classy pralines n cream to the irresistible, deadly and sinful world class chocolate, anyone who has tried Baskin-Robbins will never forget the sheer pleasure each bite brings and finally, Sri Lankans will have the option of enjoying their world class ice cream this month.
In 1953, two brothers-in-law, each with a passion for ice cream and a passion for exotic flavours decided to merge their ice cream parlours into one cozy and welcoming store that has now grown to be the largest ice cream franchise in the world. Irv Robbins and Burt Baskin were their names, and their genius spawned ice cream wonders including the ice cream cake and will now be available for Colombo dwellers to enjoy as Baskin-Robbins opens their first outlet in the island at Colombo 3.
For close to six decades Baskin-Robbins has converted into not just an ice cream chain, but a reflection of culture as a whole. They revolutionized the concept of retail ice creams with colourful circus themed outlets and their trademark 31 flavours, one for each day of the month. Over the years, the flavours have differed according to the times, from Lunar Cheesecake in 1969 to celebrate mankind’s landing on the moon, to Gold Medal Ribbon which celebrated the Winter Olympics taking place in Lake Placid, New York in 1980. When the Spiderman phenomenon was taking over movie goers, BR celebrated with a special range of ice creams dedicated to its characters. With regional flavours and seasonal flavours, this ice cream chain has firmly believed that choice is king and the diners have loved it. As cofounder Irv said, “We sell fun, not ice cream.”
The two brothers-in-law were also firm believers that you must like what you eat, which is why for the first time the iconic and unmistakable pink spoons were introduced to allow the diner to first taste the flavour and then decide whether to have it, a custom that was quickly taken up by other chains.
Baskin Robbins is now the largest ice cream franchise in the world with close to 6000 outlets, half within the US itself but the rest in over 35 countries ranging from Canada, Japan and Mexico to UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, Panama and Indonesia.
October 10 saw the launch of Baskin Robbins at Colombo’s Club TABU Anticipation was of course at its optimum; the country’s first Baskin Robbins parlor to delight ice cream fans everywhere, coming to Colombo. The event became one of Club TABU’s busiest nights of the year; “I’ve never before seen it this busy, this early”, confesses a waiting onlooker, with ice cream fans eagerly awaiting their free samples of the legendary Baskin Robbins delights from the early hours of the evening. The dance floor is deserted, with all thoughts upon the locked freezer box waiting mockingly by the door. Though the speakers thump with the artistes of a Saturday night, Club TABU is overcome by an expectant hush; an ice cream fix is in order. After what seems like a lifetime to us ice cream lovers, the freezer is unlocked and Baskin Robbins delicacies are handed around. Colourful bowls of sweet delights; the deliciously refreshing mint chocolate chip, the rich and sinful not so simple chocolate, vanillas, strawberry’s – Baskin Robbins aim to please. As quickly as they are handed out, perfectly clean bowls mount – the range of flavours unfortunately means one cannot stop at one lonely bowl – there are Pralines ‘n creams, and chocolate chip cookie dough’s, cookie’s ‘n creams and classic vanilla’s to be had. I ask some empty-bowled fans their thoughts; ‘DELICIOUS! Baskin Robbins Chocolate ice cream is just wonderful’, ‘I keep going back for more – are we allowed three bowls?’
The night is a success, but has only increased our anticipation as to the date of Baskin Robbins’ grand opening. And when will this be? We all cry – Colombo’s first ever Baskin Robbins parlor will be satisfying our need for ice cream within the next month. Be sure to come down and try it out for yourself, we’ll worry about diets later.