Some brands have survived the conglomerate era and have kept their independence amongst overwrought graphics, market research and such. One of those brands? Joy ice cream cones. Sixty to a box, still.
The company’s founder was Lebanese immigrant Albert George, along with other family members. They got some second-hand cone-baking machines and started the George & Thomas Cone Company in 1918. It is still in family hands, and is run as an ESOP. It is the largest ice cream cone company in the world, baking over 1.5 billion cones/year.
According to their website, the offer tours at special times of the year for large groups:
- Hermitage Facility – Tours are given only during the months of August, September, October and November for parties up to 15.
- Flagstaff Facility – Tours are given only during the months of September, October, November, December, January, and February for parties up to 15.
Information at: 3435 Lamor Road Hermitage, PA 16148 U.S.A., 724-962-5747; Joy Cone Company Arizona office, 2843 W. Shamrell Blvd. Flagstaff, AZ 86001 U.S.A.P: 928-774-0225