Handel’s Ice Cream to Give Away Limited-Edition Hats on National Ice Cream Day

Handel’s Ice Cream will give free limited-edition caps to the first 250 customers at each participating store who buy ice cream on July 19, marking National Ice Cream Day. The promotion is part of the chain’s holiday push as it highlights its 48 flavors, new non-dairy options and national franchise growth.

Why it matters: - The giveaway gives Handel’s a way to drive store traffic on one of the biggest ice cream holidays of the year. - The promotion also puts the brand’s national footprint and seasonal menu in front of customers as summer demand peaks.

What happened: - Handel’s Ice Cream will give away free limited-edition hats on Sunday, July 19, for National Ice Cream Day. - The offer applies to the first 250 guests at each participating location who buy ice cream. - The promotion includes one cap per person and requires an ice cream purchase. - The giveaway is available only while supplies last.

The details: - The cap is a blue adjustable baseball hat with Handel’s logo and the brand’s cherry mark across the front. - The hats are being released exclusively for National Ice Cream Day 2026. - Customers can qualify with a purchase in a cup, cone, Four-Scoop Sampler or another frozen creation. - Handel’s serves 48 flavors made fresh daily in-store. - The lineup includes core flavors such as chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, plus seasonal options that vary by location. - Fan favorites include Banana Cream Pie, Black Raspberry, Buckeye, Chocoholic Chunk, Graham Central Station, Knot Your Average Dough and Strawberry Cheesecake. - Handel’s also recently launched a non-dairy line made with Oatly Full Fat Milk. - The non-dairy flavors include Coffee Truffle, Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie and Peanut Butter. - Shops are offering two of the three non-dairy flavors throughout July. - Handel’s has more than 175 locations across 20 states. - The company has been making ice cream since 1945. - Handel’s was founded in Youngstown, Ohio, by Alice Handel and later purchased by Lenny Fisher.

Between the lines: - The hat giveaway is a low-cost holiday promotion designed to create urgency with a first-come, first-served offer. - Handel’s is pairing the giveaway with menu news to keep the brand top of mind beyond the one-day event. - National Ice Cream Day traces back to a 1984 proclamation by President Ronald Reagan naming July National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday as National Ice Cream Day. - Handel’s marketing chief Hillary Frei said the holiday is one of the brand’s favorites and called the cap a keepsake for summer outings.

What's next: - Customers can find menu and location details at Handel’s website or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram. - Franchise information is available at Handel’s franchise page. - Handel’s says it continues to grow its franchise system nationwide.

The bottom line: - Handel’s is using National Ice Cream Day to reward customers, spotlight new products and reinforce its growing national brand.