Meet The Family

Since 1870, four generations of the Graeter family have remained committed to handcrafting only the most indulgent ice cream available. From humble beginnings serving ice cream from a cart in Cincinnati to the nationwide presence of Graeter’s Ice Cream today, the family has stubbornly held to ideals and processes of the founding generation. Members of the 3rd, 4th and 5th generation (pictured above) continue to work in the business, every day, ensuring that our customers get truly the best ice cream they have ever tasted. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
 

150 Years of History

In 1870 a young Louis Graeter first started selling ice cream at Cincinnati street markets. It was his widow, Regina, that saw our legacy fully realized into the company you see today. Each generation since has taken the responsibility to uphold the commitment of making the best ice cream, 2 1/2 gallons at a time. Today, five generations later, we proudly remain a family owned and operated company, made possible thanks to our loyal fans.

Old pictures of Graeter's family membersOld pictures of Graeter's family members
Photo of Richard GraeterPhoto of Richard Graeter

Richard Graeter

President and CEO

As a member of the fourth generation of the Graeter family to own and operate the business, Richard Graeter is dedicated to the family tradition of making ice cream, while embracing new opportunities and technology to grow the business.

As the brand champion for Graeter's, Richard has worked with his partners to revitalize the company's brand identity to reflect the quality that consumers have come to expect from Graeter's super-premium, hand-packed ice cream, as well as to create a cohesive look for ice cream, candy and bakery products. He has built a successful online web store, shipping ice cream, candy and other products next day air to customers, including many celebrities throughout the United States. Since becoming CEO in 2007, Graeter's has expanded nationally, opening a new manufacturing plant in 2010 and doubling its company-owned stores with the acquisition of new locations in Dayton and Columbus.

Richard serves as a member of the Investment Advisory Committee for The Cure Starts Now Foundation, which is seeking to find the cure for all cancers by finding the cure for one of the most elusive cancers, pediatric brain cancer. Richard also served on the Board of Trustees for Cincinnati Public Radio, Inc. from 2002 to 2011, serving as board chairman for the last three years of his tenure. CPRI operates the nationally acclaimed classical radio station WGUC 90.9, and WVXU 91.7, which is the local NPP/News station.

Photo of Chip GraeterPhoto of Chip Graeter

Chip Graeter

Chief of Retail Operations

Chip Graeter, also a fourth generation member of the Graeter family to own and operate the business, has been involved in guest interaction at Graeter's retail stores since his teenage years. He is extremely passionate about each guest's experience, and works to make sure that every visit to Graeter’s is a satisfying and positive one for every guest.

By learning the guest service aspect of retail sales from the ground up, Chip has developed a keen sense of the guest's needs and desires, developing a reputation for consensus building that has helped the company work toward common goals for a better guest experience and company growth. He works with a retail team as well as the sales staff to ensure patrons are included in the Graeter's experience. "It's more than just the irresistible ice cream and treats,

Chip graduated from Wittenberg University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech and theater. Chip is very involved in the community in and around Madeira, Ohio where he lives with his wife and 3 boys. He has served on the Vestry of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Terrace Park, and just recently completed eight years of being a Den Leader for all three of his sons. He now serves on the Board of Directors of the Dan Beard Council of the Boy Scouts of America and has helped to lead their annual fundraising campaign for two years.

Chip is honored to have grown up in a family business that has been fortunate enough to see great success and popularity in Ohio over the past 142 years. It is his desire to make sure his family tends to the details of the business and keep Graeter’s viable for the next generation of the Graeter family.

Photo of Bob GraeterPhoto of Bob Graeter

Bob Graeter

Chief of Quality Assurance

Robert Graeter, a member of the fourth generation of Graeter's to own and operate the family business, has been with the company continuously for 17 years. Starting out as a store manager in the early 1980s, Bob has worked his way up to the position of vice president of operations.

Bob heads the company's operations management team which focuses primarily on sourcing and vendor relations, product development and wholesale sales. He also oversees new store development and build-out.

Bob Graeter graduated from Wittenberg University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in biology and went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 1984. Outside of the office, he is extremely busy raising three beautiful daughters. He also is active as a deacon and a former trustee of the Wyoming Presbyterian Church. A self-proclaimed "foodie.

Meet The Family

Since 1870, four generations of the Graeter family have remained committed to handcrafting only the most indulgent ice cream available. From humble beginnings serving ice cream from a cart in Cincinnati to the nationwide presence of Graeter’s Ice Cream today, the family has stubbornly held to ideals and processes of the founding generation. Members of the 3rd, 4th and 5th generation (pictured above) continue to work in the business, every day, ensuring that our customers get truly the best ice cream they have ever tasted. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

150 Years of History

In 1870 a young Louis Graeter first started selling ice cream at Cincinnati street markets. It was his widow, Regina, that saw our legacy fully realized into the company you see today. Each generation since has taken the responsibility to uphold the commitment of making the best ice cream, 2 1/2 gallons at a time. Today, five generations later, we proudly remain a family owned and operated company, made possible thanks to our loyal fans.

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Our History
Richard Graeter

Richard Graeter

president and ceo

As a member of the fourth generation of the Graeter family to own and operate the business, Richard Graeter is dedicated to the family tradition of making ice cream, while embracing new opportunities and technology to grow the business.

Richard Graeter

Richard Graeter

president and ceo
Contact Richard Graeter

As a member of the fourth generation of the Graeter family to own and operate the business, Richard Graeter is dedicated to the family tradition of making ice cream, while embracing new opportunities and technology to grow the business.

As the brand champion for Graeter's, Richard has worked with his partners to revitalize the company's brand identity to reflect the quality that consumers have come to expect from Graeter's super-premium, hand-packed ice cream, as well as to create a cohesive look for ice cream, candy and bakery products. He has built a successful online web store, shipping ice cream, candy and other products next day air to customers, including many celebrities throughout the United States. Since becoming CEO in 2007, Graeter's has expanded nationally, opening a new manufacturing plant in 2010 and doubling its company-owned stores with the acquisition of new locations in Dayton and Columbus.

Richard serves as a member of the Investment Advisory Committee for The Cure Starts Now Foundation, which is seeking to find the cure for all cancers by finding the cure for one of the most elusive cancers, pediatric brain cancer. Richard also served on the Board of Trustees for Cincinnati Public Radio, Inc. from 2002 to 2011, serving as board chairman for the last three years of his tenure. CPRI operates the nationally acclaimed classical radio station WGUC 90.9, and WVXU 91.7, which is the local NPP/News station.

Chip Graeter

Chip Graeter

chief of retail operations

Chip Graeter, also a fourth generation member of the Graeter family to own and operate the business, has been involved in guest interaction at Graeter's retail stores since his teenage years. He is extremely passionate about each guest's experience, and works to make sure that every visit to Graeter’s is a satisfying and positive one for every guest.

Chip Graeter

Chip Graeter

chief of retail operations
Contact Chip Graeter

Chip Graeter, also a fourth generation member of the Graeter family to own and operate the business, has been involved in guest interaction at Graeter's retail stores since his teenage years. He is extremely passionate about each guest's experience, and works to make sure that every visit to Graeter’s is a satisfying and positive one for every guest.

By learning the guest service aspect of retail sales from the ground up, Chip has developed a keen sense of the guest's needs and desires, developing a reputation for consensus building that has helped the company work toward common goals for a better guest experience and company growth. He works with a retail team as well as the sales staff to ensure patrons are included in the Graeter's experience. "It's more than just the irresistible ice cream and treats,

Chip graduated from Wittenberg University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech and theater. Chip is very involved in the community in and around Madeira, Ohio where he lives with his wife and 3 boys. He has served on the Vestry of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Terrace Park, and just recently completed eight years of being a Den Leader for all three of his sons. He now serves on the Board of Directors of the Dan Beard Council of the Boy Scouts of America and has helped to lead their annual fundraising campaign for two years.

Chip is honored to have grown up in a family business that has been fortunate enough to see great success and popularity in Ohio over the past 142 years. It is his desire to make sure his family tends to the details of the business and keep Graeter’s viable for the next generation of the Graeter family.

Robert Graeter

Robert Graeter

chief of quality assurance

Robert Graeter, a member of the fourth generation of Graeter's to own and operate the family business, has been with the company continuously for 17 years. Starting out as a store manager in the early 1980s, Bob has worked his way up to the position of vice president of operations.

Robert Graeter

Robert Graeter

chief of quality assurance
Contact Robert Graeter

Robert Graeter, a member of the fourth generation of Graeter's to own and operate the family business, has been with the company continuously for 17 years. Starting out as a store manager in the early 1980s, Bob has worked his way up to the position of vice president of operations.

Bob heads the company's operations management team which focuses primarily on sourcing and vendor relations, product development and wholesale sales. He also oversees new store development and build-out.

Bob Graeter graduated from Wittenberg University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in biology and went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 1984. Outside of the office, he is extremely busy raising three beautiful daughters. He also is active as a deacon and a former trustee of the Wyoming Presbyterian Church. A self-proclaimed "foodie