U.S. Ice Cream Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis By Product, By Type, By Flavor, By Distribution Channel, And Segment Forecasts, 2026

The U.S. ice cream market size was estimated at USD 21.64 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 30.00 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2026 to 2033. The U.S. market is poised for steady growth driven by rising demand for premium products, expanding flavor options, and a growing shift toward healthier and specialty alternatives.

Consumers are increasingly seeking lactose-free, vegan, and plant-based options, prompting brands to accelerate innovation in these segments. Modern consumers, especially younger demographics, seek ice creams that feel indulgent and elevated, featuring layered textures, inclusions like brownies or cookie chunks, complex sauces, and visually appealing formats such as dipped cones or filled cores. This shift reflects a desire for experience-based indulgence, where the sensory richness of the product determines its premium value. As a result, brands are investing in sophisticated formulations and creative product architectures to meet this rising expectation for multi-layered, high-quality ice cream experiences.

Flavor innovation, including bold combinations, limited-edition releases, and seasonal offerings, is also shaping the U.S. ice cream landscape. Consumers are seeking novelty and variety, which has led brands to introduce adventurous blends, globally inspired flavors, and trending ingredients like pistachio, floral botanicals, and fusion desserts. Limited-time launches and exclusive drops create excitement and drive trial, particularly among Gen Z and millennials, who enjoy exploring new taste experiences.

U.S. Ice Cream Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at regional levels and provides an analysis of the latest trends and opportunities in each sub-segment from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the U.S. ice cream market based on product, type, flavor, and distribution channel:

Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)
Cartons
Tubs
Cups
Cones
Bars
Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)
Dairy & Water-based
Vegan
Flavor Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)
Chocolate
Vanilla
Fruit
Others
Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)
Foodservice
Retail

Product Code: GVR-4-68040-846-1

Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope

1.1. Market Segmentation & Scope
1.2. Market Definition
1.3. Information Procurement
- 1.3.1. Purchased Database
- 1.3.2. GVR's Internal Database
- 1.3.3. Secondary Sources & Third-Party Perspectives
- 1.3.4. Primary Research
1.4. Information Analysis
- 1.4.1. Data Analysis Models
1.5. Market Formulation & Data Visualization
1.6. Data Validation & Publishing

Chapter 2. Executive Summary

2.1. Market Outlook
2.2. Product Outlook
2.3. Type Outlook
2.4. Flavor Outlook
2.5. Distribution Channel Outlook

Chapter 3. U.S. Ice Cream Market Variables, Trends & Scope

3.1. Market Introduction
3.2. Penetration and Growth Prospect Mapping
3.3. Industry Value Chain Analysis
- 3.3.1. Sales/Retail Channel Analysis
- 3.3.2. Profit Margin Analysis
3.4. Regulatory Framework
3.5. Market Dynamics
- 3.5.1. Market Driver Analysis
- 3.5.2. Market Restraint Analysis
- 3.5.3. Industry Challenges
- 3.5.4. Industry Opportunities
3.6. Business Environment Analysis
- 3.6.1. Industry Analysis - Porter's
3.7. Market Entry Strategies

Chapter 4. U.S. Ice Cream Market: Product Estimates & Trend Analysis

4.1. Product Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2025 & 2033
4.2. Cartons
- 4.2.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
4.3. Tubs
- 4.3.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
4.4. Cups
- 4.4.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
4.5. Cones
- 4.5.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
4.6. Bars
- 4.6.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)

Chapter 5. U.S. Ice Cream Market: Type Estimates & Trend Analysis

5.1. Type Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2025 & 2033
5.2. Dairy & Water-based
- 5.2.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
5.3. Vegan
- 5.3.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)

Chapter 6. U.S. Ice Cream Market: Flavor Estimates & Trend Analysis

6.1. Flavor Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2025 & 2033
6.2. Chocolate
- 6.2.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
6.3. Vanilla
- 6.3.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
6.4. Fruit
- 6.3.2. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
6.4. Others
- 6.3.3. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)

Chapter 7. U.S. Ice Cream Market: Distribution Channel Estimates & Trend Analysis

7.1. Distribution Channel Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2025 & 2033
7.2. Food service
- 7.2.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
7.3. Retail
- 7.3.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)

Chapter 8. Competitive Analysis

8.1. Recent developments & impact analysis, by key market participants
8.2. Company Categorization
8.3. Participant's Overview
8.4. Financial Performance
8.5. Product Benchmarking
8.6. Company Market Share Analysis, 2025 (%)
8.7. Company Heat Map Analysis
8.8. Strategy Mapping
8.9. Company Profiles
- 8.9.1. Tillamook County Creamery Association
  - 8.9.1.1. Company Overview
  - 8.9.1.2. Financial Performance
  - 8.9.1.3. Product Portfolios
  - 8.9.1.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.9.2. Unilever PLC
  - 8.9.2.1. Company Overview
  - 8.9.2.2. Financial Performance
  - 8.9.2.3. Product Portfolios
  - 8.9.2.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.9.3. Turkey Hill Dairy
  - 8.9.3.1. Company Overview
  - 8.9.3.2. Financial Performance
  - 8.9.3.3. Product Portfolios
  - 8.9.3.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.9.4. Inspire Brands, Inc. (Baskin-Robbins)
  - 8.9.4.1. Company Overview
  - 8.9.4.2. Financial Performance
  - 8.9.4.3. Product Portfolios
  - 8.9.4.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.9.5. American Dairy Queen Corporation
  - 8.9.5.1. Company Overview
  - 8.9.5.2. Financial Performance
  - 8.9.5.3. Product Portfolios
  - 8.9.5.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.9.6. Nestle SA
  - 8.9.6.1. Company Overview
  - 8.9.6.2. Financial Performance
  - 8.9.6.3. Product Portfolios
  - 8.9.6.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.9.7. Blue Bell Creameries
  - 8.9.7.1. Company Overview
  - 8.9.7.2. Financial Performance
  - 8.9.7.3. Product Portfolios
  - 8.9.7.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.9.8. Cold Stone Creamery
  - 8.9.8.1. Company Overview
  - 8.9.8.2. Financial Performance
  - 8.9.8.3. Product Portfolios
  - 8.9.8.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.9.9. Danone S.A.
  - 8.9.9.1. Company Overview
  - 8.9.9.2. Financial Performance
  - 8.9.9.3. Product Portfolios
  - 8.9.9.4. Strategic Initiatives
- 8.9.10. Wells Enterprises
  - 8.9.10.1. Company Overview
  - 8.9.10.2. Financial Performance
  - 8.9.10.3. Product Portfolios
  - 8.9.10.4. Strategic Initiatives

Product Code: GVR-4-68040-846-1

List of Tables

1. U.S. ice cream market - Key market driver analysis
2. U.S. ice cream market - Key market restraint analysis
3. U.S. ice cream market estimates and forecast by product, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
4. U.S. ice cream market estimates and forecast by type, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
5. U.S. ice cream market estimates and forecast by flavors, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
6. U.S. ice cream market estimates and forecast by distribution channel, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)

List of Figures

1. U.S. ice cream market snapshot
2. U.S. ice cream market segmentation & scope
3. U.S. ice cream market penetration & growth prospect mapping
4. U.S. ice cream market: Value chain analysis
5. U.S. ice cream market dynamics
6. U.S. ice cream market: Porter's Five Forces analysis
7. U.S. ice cream market: Product movement analysis, 2025 & 2033 (%)
8. U.S. ice cream cartons market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
9. U.S. ice cream tubs market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
10. U.S. ice cream cups market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
11. U.S. ice cream cones market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
12. U.S. ice cream bars market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
13. U.S. ice cream market: Type movement analysis, 2025 & 2033 (%)
14. U.S. dairy & water-based ice cream market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
15. U.S. vegan ice cream market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
16. U.S. ice cream market: Flavor movement analysis, 2025 & 2033 (%)
17. U.S. chocolate U.S. ice cream market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
18. U.S. vanilla ice cream market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
19. U.S. fruit ice cream market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
20. U.S. other ice cream flavor market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
21. U.S. ice cream market: distribution channel movement analysis, 2025 & 2033 (%)
22. U.S. ice Cream market estimates and forecast, through food service, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
23. U.S. ice Cream market estimates and forecast, through retail channels, 2021 - 2033 (USD Billion)
24. Key company categorization
25. Company market share analysis, 2025

U.S. Ice Cream Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis By Product, By Type, By Flavor, By Distribution Channel, And Segment Forecasts, 2026 - 2033

Description

Table of Contents

List of Tables

U.S. Ice Cream Market Summary

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope

Chapter 2. Executive Summary

Chapter 3. U.S. Ice Cream Market Variables, Trends & Scope

Chapter 4. U.S. Ice Cream Market: Product Estimates & Trend Analysis

Chapter 5. U.S. Ice Cream Market: Type Estimates & Trend Analysis

Chapter 6. U.S. Ice Cream Market: Flavor Estimates & Trend Analysis

Chapter 7. U.S. Ice Cream Market: Distribution Channel Estimates & Trend Analysis

Chapter 8. Competitive Analysis

List of Tables

List of Figures