Bruster's Real Ice Cream Expands in Pittsburgh with Bold Remodel of Original Bridgewater Store and New Shadyside Location

PITTSBURGH – Bruster’s Real Ice Cream is celebrating its Pittsburgh roots with two major local milestones this summer: the opening of a new store in Shadyside and a complete reinvention of its original Bridgewater location, where the Bruster’s story began in 1989. To this day, Bruster’s still churns their ice cream fresh daily at each Bruster’s location using cream from their Pennsylvania dairy.

Reimagining the Original Bruster’s Real Ice Cream

The new Bridgewater store, located next to its original location and opening this summer, features a sleek modern design, digital menu boards, a spacious patio, and the first Bruster’s drive-thru in the greater Pittsburgh area, blending nostalgia with next-generation convenience and enhanced customer service.

“This reinvention is a letter of gratitude to the community that raised us. We have been making the freshest, most premium ice cream in Pittsburgh for 36 years and take great pride in sharing our traditions with the Beaver community and beyond,” said Jim Sahene, CEO of Bruster’s Real Ice Cream. “We’re modernizing features that enhance the guest experience while preserving the heart of what makes Bruster’s special—fresh, handcrafted ice cream served with a smile in a fun environment where memories are made.”

Bringing Bruster’s to Shadyside

The new Shadyside location, also opening this summer, brings Bruster’s handcrafted ice cream to one of Pittsburgh’s most accessible neighborhoods, offering indoor open-air ordering, dual outdoor patios, and over 50 free parking spaces, plus local delivery options and robust public transit access.

"We’re most excited to bring Shadyside the same sense of community, family, and fun that makes our Squirrel Hill location so special,” said Chad McWreath, owner of the Squirrell Hill and Shadyside Bruster’s locations. “Customers come from all over the region to spend 15 minutes in Bruster’s fun atmosphere with their family and friends while enjoying the best, freshest, and most delicious ice cream they’ve ever had. We can’t wait to become part of the neighborhood and continue building our reputation as Pittsburgh’s go-to ice cream shop."

A Legacy Rooted in Pittsburgh

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream was founded in 1989 by Bruce Reed, whose passion for quality food and service was shaped by his family’s legacy in the restaurant business—most notably his father’s iconic Jerry’s Curb Service, a classic drive-in carhop that has been a Pittsburgh-area staple since 1947. Looking to expand on that legacy, Bruce developed his own premium ice cream recipe and opened the first Bruster’s ice cream store next to the family restaurant.

What began as a single scoop shop became a neighborhood favorite, leading Bruce to begin franchising in 1993. Bruster’s has since grown to 218 locally owned and operated stores across 24 states and 5 international locations in Guyana.

Growth and Community Commitment

In 2024 alone, Bruster’s signed 48 franchise agreements, with over 30% coming from existing franchisees, speaking to the brand’s strength and loyalty. 107 stores set sales records, and the company posted a +2.64% same-store sales increase, with an average unit volume of $745,019.

This latest investment is a tribute to the community that started it all. By preserving the classic scoop-shop feel while adding modern touches, Bruster’s is reinforcing its commitment to local pride, economic investment, and shared traditions. Each shop continues to make ice cream the old-fashioned way, controlling the process from cow to cone and handcrafting only the freshest small batches on-site daily. It’s a process that not only delivers a premium product, but keeps Bruster’s a beloved destination for connection, celebration, and generations of sweet memories.

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ABOUT BRUSTER’S REAL ICE CREAM  

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream features over 150 flavors of premium, handcrafted ice cream, non-dairy oat milk flavors, sherbet, Italian ice, and sorbet to their local communities across the U.S. Starting with a proprietary, home-style mix delivered fresh from their Pennsylvania dairy to each store, small artisan batches are made on site daily by Certified Ice Cream Makers in each shop.  At least 24 flavors are on rotation every day, resulting in a premium product that is never deep frozen. There are over 200 independently owned locations in 24 states and Guyana. For more information, please visit https://brusters.com/ and click here to learn more about franchise opportunities.