Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is gearing up for a suburban splash, signing its first multi-unit development deal in Illinois that will bring three shops to the Chicago collar counties. One franchisee is set to scoop into Elgin, Geneva/St. Charles and Algonquin, with the first parlor slated to open in 2027. It is the brand’s first multi-unit push into the state and positions a national chain known for hefty portions and on-site production squarely in family-focused suburbs.
The operator behind the trio of locations is Castro Rafeedie, a Youngstown native who previously ran a pizzeria in Dublin, Ohio, for nearly a dozen years. Rafeedie told the company he gravitated to Handel’s because each store still makes its ice cream on site, a hands-on production model the brand leans on as a key differentiator. These details were reported by L’Express Franchise.
Three suburbs lined up
The three committed markets sit in Cook and Kane counties and fit the usual profile for family-friendly quick-service concepts. Local coverage notes that the first Illinois shop is expected to debut in late 2027, giving the franchisee a long runway for site selection and buildout. The Daily Herald summarized the company’s announcement and local plans.
Handel’s pitch: fresh product and healthy unit economics
Handel’s leans heavily on in-store, small-batch production and a rotating lineup of seasonal flavors as it sells franchisees on the concept. The brand’s most recent Franchise Disclosure Document, dated April 2026, lists an average unit volume of $1,115,650, a performance figure highlighted in trade coverage. Industry outlets also report that Handel’s closed 2025 with roughly 20 new locations and now has well over 150 parlors nationwide, which helps explain why multi-unit operators are signing on. L’Express Franchise flagged the FDD number, while QSR Magazine has tracked the recent rollouts and system size.
Timeline and what to watch
The brand shared its Chicago-area news on its LinkedIn page, saying the first Illinois parlor is scheduled for the third quarter of 2027. That timing gives the operator space to lock in real estate, work through permitting and get staff up to speed. Neighbors will likely see plan-check filings, signage permits and hiring notices pop up before the doors finally open. The company’s post is available on LinkedIn, and earlier coverage of a Handel’s Mira Mesa project shows how storefront permits and plan checks tend to surface ahead of an actual launch. The prior article Handel’s scoops in illustrates that pattern…