PHILADELPHIA, PA — Franklin Ice Cream Bar will reopen for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 2, at 112 Market Street in Old City, offering free frozen custard to the first 50 customers beginning at 2 p.m., the company announced.
The seasonal shop, a companion to The Franklin Fountain located two doors away, will operate through Labor Day and marks the return of its annual opening-day promotion on Confectionery Row.
Owner Eric Berley said the giveaway has become a recurring tradition tied to the start of the summer season.
“Franklin Ice Cream Bar’s custard giveaway has become a rite of passage and a tradition here in Old City,” Berley said. “It’s the day we see the return of some of our most loyal customers.”
The shop’s 2026 menu includes frozen custard in vanilla, chocolate and twist, along with ice cream sandwiches, cakes and rotating seasonal flavors. Keystone Bars, a signature item, will be available in pre-made varieties such as Strawberry Shortcake and Coffee Toffee Almond, as well as customizable options dipped in chocolate from Shane Confectionery and finished with toppings.
New and returning seasonal flavors include Cherry Pie Ice Cream, Pretzel-delphia Ice Cream, and Root Beer Ice. Additional limited releases will be introduced throughout the summer, including monthly rotating “flight” selections and pint-only offerings.
Prepared items will also include a range of vegan and gluten-free options available across the Franklin Fountain family of businesses on Market Street.
Franklin Ice Cream Bar will initially operate Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., with expanded hours expected later in the season. In case of inclement weather, The Franklin Fountain next door will remain open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight.
The business opened in 2018 as a quick-service extension of The Franklin Fountain, which dates to a 1915-style soda fountain concept developed by owner Eric Berley.
Event Details
- What: Franklin Ice Cream Bar 2026 Season Opening and Custard Giveaway
- When: Saturday, May 2, 2026 | Giveaway begins at 2:00 PM
- Where: 112 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Cost: Free baby custard cones for first 50 customers; additional items for purchase
- More Info: https://franklinicecream.com
The reopening coincides with the start of the summer ice cream season in Old City, with the business continuing operations through Labor Day.
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