Millie's Homemade Ice Cream Partners with Franchise FastLane for National Expansion

Millie's Homemade Ice Cream has partnered with Franchise FastLane to drive nationwide expansion through franchising, aiming to bring its community-focused, chef-inspired ice cream shops to more communities. The Pittsburgh-based company, founded by husband-and-wife duo Chad and Lauren Townsend in 2016, has joined Franchise FastLane's CarPool program, which provides emerging brands with the tools, coaching, and momentum needed to scale responsibly while preserving their authentic identity.

The decision to begin franchising in 2021 represented a natural evolution for Millie's, which has grown organically from kitchen experiments to 20 locations across Pennsylvania and Florida as of October 2025. Chad Townsend, a chef with experience in Pittsburgh's top restaurants and a Michelin-starred kitchen in France, explained that CarPool provides the missing link for expansion beyond Pennsylvania. The program brings the professionalism, strategy, and structure needed for growth while maintaining the authenticity and community sense that defines the Millie's experience.

Through the CarPool program, Millie's works closely with Franchise FastLane to identify franchise partners who share their commitment to hospitality, community connection, and bringing local flavors to life. Tim Koch, President and COO of Franchise FastLane, noted that Millie's represents the kind of brand that makes franchising exciting and meaningful, built on passion, quality, and community foundations developed over nearly a decade of operation.

Franchise FastLane launched CarPool in 2023 to provide franchise development coaching and administrative services for emerging and established brands seeking to perfect their processes. Franchisors in the CarPool program maintain sales development in-house while receiving comprehensive support including organic lead qualification, territory checks, call scheduling, validation services, and leadership call reminders. Additional benefits include guidance on consultant network contracts, compliance assistance, and up-to-date territory mapping available through https://www.franchisefastlane.com/carpool.

All CarPool partners also gain access to Franchise FastLane's exclusive MasterMind program, where brand leaders connect regularly with other FastLane Founders to share insights, explore innovative ideas, and strengthen systems. These collaborative sessions foster open discussion to help refine franchisee support, address challenges, and identify growth opportunities while encouraging both professional and personal development. The partnership represents a strategic move for Millie's to leverage Franchise FastLane's proven systems and extensive experience in franchise development as the ice cream company prepares for nationwide growth.