ICEE parent company to purchase Dippin' Dots for $222M

J&J Snack Foods on Thursday announced an agreement to purchase Paducah ice cream manufacturer Dippin' Dots.

The parent company of ICEE, SuperPretzel, and Luigi's, will purchase Dippin' Dots for $222 million. The deal is expected to close by the end of June.

Dippin' Dots CEO Scott Fischer said the Dippin' Dots team was thrilled to join the J&J Snack Food business and feel it will improve and grow the business.

He said, "As a leader in the snack industry with a number of iconic brands and a strong record of product innovation, we believe J&J Snacks Foods is well-positioned to leverage our unique offering in the market and improve and grow the business going forward."

J&J President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Fachner said J&J has a proven, long-term track record of successfully integrating and scaling brands. He said they plan to expand Dippin' Dots into new markets.

Dippin' Dots, headquartered in Paducah, was invented in 1988 by microbiologist Curt Jones from Pulaski County in southern Illinois. It uses a cryogenic freezing process to create its unique beaded ice cream, yogurt, and sherbet sold in 14 countries.