Ever since the first locations were opened, Braum’s has been an Oklahoma icon, but people are still shocked today to learn Braum’s was originally a Kansas thing, and for the first couple of years, every bite of Braum’s amazing ice cream began with a long journey from The Sunflower State.
Braum’s story is a true American tale you’ve heard time and time again. A father starts a family business, and the next generation takes it to new heights. Today Braum’s spans across more than 300 locations in five different Heartland states.
Emporia, Kansas – 1933
Years into the Great Depression, Henry Braum leased a home and converted it into a butter manufacturing facility. Very small scale, but butter was an affordable essential during America’s roughest economic time. He did well enough that when it was time for the family business to grow, the landlord built a brand-new building for them.
With so much space, the Braum family added another depression-proof product to their brand by processing milk from local dairies…