Cold Stone Creamery® Conducts International Search For The World's "Ultimate Crew Member"

Brazil Takes the Grand Prize

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Apr 21, 2015, 01:58 ET

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Ice cream lovers around the world know Cold Stone Creamery^® (www.ColdStoneCreamery.com) as an innovator when it comes to creating delicious and unique flavors. Along with that innovation, the brand is just as well-known for its special style of customer service, resulting in what it likes to call the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience^®. To create this type of memorable customer experience, crew members at Cold Stone Creamery^® pull out all the stops. Each year, the brand hosts an international crew member search to identify and celebrate the cream of the crop crew members at its annual "Global Creamery Cup" competition.

Cold Stone Creamery conducts international search for world's "Ultimate Crew Member!"

For months leading up to the global competition, the various countries within the Cold Stone Creamery system hold local "Creamery Cup" competitions, which are a series of team building events that inspire and energize crew members through friendly competition. Recently, each of the countries sent their "Creamery Cup" winner to the brand's Global Business Conference held in Scottsdale, Ariz. for the second annual "Global Creamery Cup."

The three-day, rigorous competition tested the crew members' knowledge of the brand, as well as its Signature Creations™. Tests in basic customer service, operational excellence and the service cycle were also given. The competition culminated in the much-anticipated "Experience Factor" demonstration, which gives each crew member the opportunity to showcase their ability to do anything from juggling, tossing and catching ice cream in extraordinary ways to singing and dancing, all for the customers' entertainment. This showmanship, coupled with superior product quality, sets Cold Stone Creamery apart from its competitors.

"Crew members are the foundation of our success at Cold Stone Creamery, and it's important to keep them motivated, as well as create a family-type work environment," said Eddy Jimenez, senior vice president of international operations and development for Kahala Brands™. "The crew members had a great time meeting their counterparts from around the world and sharing their best practices. Seeing the passion and commitment they possess for our product and Cold Stone Creamery as a whole was thrilling," said Jimenez.

Contestants from Cold Stone Creamery locations based in Brazil, China, Guam, Japan, Nigeria, Singapore, Thailand and the United States competed in Scottsdale in an effort to be named the "best of the best." After three days of competition, Rafaela Mylena Litz from Brazil won-over the panel of judges and received the highest marks in each competition, which earned her the coveted title of "Ultimate Crew Member" at 2014's Global Creamery Cup. Aside from a trip to the United States, "Rafa" as she was affectionately called by her counterparts, walked away with a handsome cash prize and trophy. Second and third place went to crew members from Guam and Singapore, respectively.

About Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone Creamery delivers the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience through a community of franchisees who are passionate about ice cream. The secret recipe for smooth and creamy ice cream is hand-crafted and made fresh in each store, and then customized by combining a variety of mix-ins on a frozen granite stone. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Cold Stone Creamery brand is franchised by Kahala Franchising, L.L.C., a subsidiary of Kahala Brands™, one of the fastest growing franchising companies in the world, with a portfolio of 15 quick-service restaurant brands. Cold Stone Creamery stores operate in more than 1,100 locations in 26 countries.

About "Made Fresh"
In Cold Stone Creamery locations across the world, ice cream is hand-crafted in small batches – one flavor at a time. Starting with the highest quality cream, sugar and flavorings, the ice cream is made fresh in each store. This small-batch process ensures customers receive the richest, creamiest, most delicious ice cream when they visit a Cold Stone Creamery location.

For more information about Cold Stone Creamery, visit www.coldstonecreamery.com.

For more information about Kahala Brands, visit www.kahalamgmt.com.

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SOURCE Cold Stone Creamery