Located in residential areas, the 184 convenience stores of United Dairy Farmers offer a little something extra: ice cream, dairy products and dairy-fresh milk. The company has planned growth of about five new stores a year.
United Dairy Farmers began in 1938 when Carl H. Lindner Sr. decided to start a small dairy in Norwood, Ohio. He started by processing milk and other dairy products and selling them at a discount in a retail store. The family's United Dairy Famers' ice cream became a local favorite, and the family opened more stores. By 1950, there were nine stores, and in 1958 a major plant expansion was completed.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the stores were remodeled to add merchandising space for convenience-store products. The company expanded to its present-day 184 stores in three states. The new superstores feature self-service gas islands, expanded ice-cream fountains and sit-down parlors. UDF’s Homemade Brand ice cream also is sold in grocery stores in at least 16 states.
| Headquarters: | Norwood, Ohio |
|---|---|
| No. of Stores: | 184 |
| Average Store Size: | 2,500-4,000 sq. ft. |
| Rank: | 50 |
| Rank Last Year: | 48 |
| States of Operation: | Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio |
| Website: | http://www.udfinc.com/ |