Millie's Homemade Ice Cream Partners with Franchise FastLane for National Expansion

Millie's Homemade Ice Cream has partnered with Franchise FastLane to drive nationwide expansion through franchising, aiming to bring its community-focused ice cream shops to hometowns across the country. The Pittsburgh-based company, founded by husband-and-wife duo Chad and Lauren Townsend in 2016, has joined Franchise FastLane's CarPool program, which provides emerging brands with the tools, coaching, and momentum needed to scale responsibly while maintaining authenticity.

The decision to begin franchising in 2021 represented a natural evolution for Millie's, which has grown organically from kitchen experiments to 20 locations across Pennsylvania and Florida as of October 2025. The brand's expansion includes brick-and-mortar shops, food trucks, and specialty venues, with many franchisees originally being loyal customers who asked how they could bring Millie's to their own communities. Chad Townsend, a chef with experience in Pittsburgh's top restaurants and a Michelin-starred kitchen in France, explained that CarPool provides the missing link for expansion beyond Pennsylvania, bringing the professionalism, strategy, and structure needed for growth while preserving the authenticity and community feel that defines Millie's.

Through the CarPool program, Millie's works closely with Franchise FastLane to identify franchise partners who share their commitment to hospitality, community connection, and local flavor development. Franchise FastLane launched CarPool in 2023 to provide franchise development coaching and administrative services for brands seeking to perfect their processes and integrate proven systems. Franchisors in the program maintain sales development in-house while receiving support that includes organic lead qualification, territory checks, call scheduling, validation, and leadership call reminders. Additional benefits include guidance on consultant network contracts, compliance assistance, and up-to-date territory mapping available through https://www.franchisefastlane.com/carpool.

Tim Koch, President & COO of Franchise FastLane, described Millie's as exactly the kind of brand that makes franchising exciting and meaningful, noting that Chad and Lauren built a business rooted in passion, quality, and community. With nearly a decade of infrastructure development and the heartfelt approach they bring to operations, Franchise FastLane expects Millie's to make a lasting impression as it expands nationwide. All CarPool partners also gain access to Franchise FastLane's exclusive MasterMind program, where brands connect regularly with other FastLane Founders to share insights, explore innovative ideas, and strengthen systems through collaborative sessions that foster both professional and personal development.

This partnership represents significant implications for the franchise industry and local communities nationwide. For aspiring entrepreneurs, it offers the opportunity to join a established brand with strong community values and chef-driven quality. For consumers, it means access to authentic, homemade ice cream experiences in more locations. The expansion strategy emphasizes maintaining the warm, friendly atmosphere that has defined Millie's since its inception, ensuring that growth doesn't compromise the qualities that made the brand successful. As franchise development continues, the collaboration between Millie's and Franchise FastLane demonstrates how emerging brands can scale effectively while preserving their core identity and community focus.