Lotus Bakeries has made a strategic move to expand its frozen dessert footprint by integrating ice cream into its licensing agreement with Mondelēz International, partnering with ice cream manufacturing giant Froneri. Announced on March 12, 2025, this collaboration aims to accelerate the growth of the beloved Lotus Biscoff brand in the premium ice cream segment, leveraging Froneri’s extensive expertise in product development and distribution. The partnership represents a significant milestone for Lotus Bakeries, allowing them to capitalize on the growing popularity of their Biscoff ice cream, which has been gaining traction since its international debut in 2019. This strategic alliance is structured as a sub-license under Lotus Bakeries’ existing agreement with Mondelēz International, setting the stage for potential global expansion of Biscoff-infused frozen treats.
The Sweet Success Story of Biscoff Ice Cream
Since its international launch in 2019, Biscoff ice cream has carved out a special place in the premium frozen dessert market. Available across the US, UK, and various European markets, this frozen treat has quickly become a fan favorite. I’ve been fascinated watching its rise in popularity, especially considering how the brand has expanded from cookies to spreadable cream and now frozen desserts.
What makes Biscoff ice cream stand out is its distinctive flavor combination that perfectly captures the essence of the original cookie. Each spoonful delivers the unmistakable caramelized spice notes that Biscoff lovers crave, enhanced with chunks of crunchy Lotus Biscoff cookies and swirls of smooth Biscoff spread blended into fresh cream. This multi-textural experience has proven irresistible to consumers looking for unique ice cream flavors.
The success of Biscoff ice cream hasn’t been by accident. Lotus Bakeries has carefully crafted their ice cream offerings to maintain brand consistency while adapting to the frozen format. Their attention to quality and flavor authenticity has significantly boosted the overall growth trajectory of the Biscoff brand, expanding its reach beyond traditional cookie consumers.
Market research indicates that consumers particularly appreciate how the ice cream captures the nostalgic flavor of the cookies many grew up enjoying. This emotional connection has proven valuable in building brand loyalty in the competitive ice cream sector where novelty often drives purchasing decisions.
Inside the Froneri Partnership Details
The newly announced partnership between Lotus Bakeries and Froneri marks a significant strategic development for both companies. Beginning in 2026, Froneri will take over the production, marketing, and distribution of Biscoff ice cream products. This arrangement falls under the umbrella of Lotus Bakeries’ broader licensing agreement with Mondelēz International, which was established on June 13, 2024.
Froneri brings substantial expertise to the table. As one of the world’s largest ice cream manufacturers, they offer Lotus Bakeries access to advanced production capabilities, extensive distribution networks, and deep market insights. Their specialized knowledge in frozen dessert manufacturing complements Lotus Bakeries’ brand strength and recipe expertise.
According to Jan Boone, CEO of Lotus Bakeries, “Partnering with Froneri will unlock new opportunities for Biscoff, allowing us to leverage their extensive expertise in product development, market insights, and industry-leading knowledge.” This collaboration represents a carefully considered approach to scaling the Biscoff ice cream business while maintaining product quality and brand integrity.
Initially, the focus will be on European markets where both brands have established presence. However, the partnership includes plans for gradual global expansion, potentially bringing Biscoff ice cream to new territories where the cookie brand already enjoys recognition. The sub-licensing structure provides flexibility while ensuring Lotus Bakeries maintains appropriate control over their brand positioning in the dessert marketplace.
Market Advantages and Growth Opportunities
This strategic partnership offers several key advantages that position Biscoff ice cream for accelerated market expansion. First, Froneri’s established distribution networks will significantly increase Biscoff ice cream’s retail presence, making it available to more consumers across various markets. This expanded reach alone could drive substantial sales growth.
Product development capabilities represent another crucial benefit. Froneri’s research and development teams specialize in ice cream innovation, potentially leading to new Biscoff ice cream varieties and formats. I’m particularly excited about the possibility of seasonal limited editions that could create buzz among both existing fans and new customers looking for premium limited edition flavors.
Manufacturing and logistics efficiency will likely improve through this collaboration. Froneri’s specialized ice cream production facilities offer economies of scale that weren’t previously achievable for Lotus Bakeries. Additionally, local production capabilities in key markets will reduce transportation costs and environmental impact while ensuring fresher products reach consumers.
Perhaps most importantly, this partnership should boost global brand awareness for Biscoff. As the ice cream category expands, it serves as another touchpoint for consumers to discover the distinctive flavor profile that has made Biscoff cookies so popular worldwide. This multi-product approach strengthens the overall brand ecosystem and creates opportunities for cross-category marketing.
Financial Impact and Market Response
The market’s reaction to this partnership announcement has been decidedly positive. Lotus Bakeries saw their shares climb 6.1% immediately following the news, reflecting investor confidence in the strategic move. Financial analysts have taken note as well, with KBC Securities upgrading Lotus Bakeries stock from “hold” to “accumulate” – a significant vote of confidence in the company’s growth strategy.
Industry experts anticipate that the ice cream segment could become a meaningful revenue driver for Lotus Bakeries in coming years. The premium positioning of Biscoff ice cream allows for higher margins compared to mass-market options, potentially making this a particularly profitable expansion for the company. This aligns with broader industry trends showing strong growth in premium and indulgent homemade-style ice cream categories.
The transition period between announcement and Froneri taking over production in 2026 gives Lotus Bakeries time to prepare for the handover while continuing to build market share. Current production and distribution methods will remain in place during this interim period, ensuring consistent supply to existing markets while preparations for scaling are underway.
For consumers, this partnership likely means greater access to Biscoff ice cream products and potential new flavor innovations. The combination of Biscoff’s distinctive taste profile with Froneri’s ice cream expertise creates promising possibilities for product development that could further drive consumer interest and loyalty.
Future Expansion Plans and Potential Challenges
Looking ahead, Lotus Bakeries and Froneri have outlined a measured approach to global expansion. Rather than rushing into worldwide distribution, they plan to build market presence strategically, focusing first on strengthening European markets where both brands already have recognition. This controlled growth strategy aims to ensure product quality and brand integrity remain consistent as production scales up.
Future markets under consideration likely include regions where Biscoff cookies have established popularity but where the ice cream hasn’t yet been widely distributed. This approach leverages existing brand recognition to facilitate ice cream category entry. The companies have emphasized their commitment to careful expansion that maintains the premium positioning that has served Biscoff well across product categories.
However, this growth strategy isn’t without challenges. Scaling production while maintaining strict quality standards presents technical hurdles, especially for a product with Biscoff’s distinctive flavor profile and textural elements. Additionally, competing in the premium ice cream segment requires navigating an increasingly crowded marketplace with numerous clean label ice cream alternatives vying for consumer attention.
Supply chain considerations will also factor into expansion plans. Ensuring consistent availability of Biscoff cookies and spread as ingredients for the ice cream becomes more complex at global scale. The companies will need to carefully coordinate production planning across product lines to maintain steady supply.
Lotus Bakeries: A Brand Built on Tradition
Understanding this partnership requires appreciating Lotus Bakeries’ rich historical foundation. Founded in 1932 in Belgium, the company has transformed from a local bakery to a global brand while maintaining commitment to quality and distinctive flavors. Their 2024 revenue reached an impressive EUR 1,232.0 million, demonstrating significant market presence across multiple product categories.
With approximately 3,360 employees worldwide, Lotus Bakeries operates production facilities across Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, South Africa, and the United States. They’re further expanding their manufacturing footprint with a new facility under construction in Thailand, scheduled to become operational by 2026. This global production network supports 23 sales organizations worldwide, enabling the company to maintain close connections with regional markets.
The Biscoff brand has become the crown jewel in Lotus Bakeries’ portfolio. Originally known primarily for their speculoos cookies served with coffee, the company has successfully extended the distinctive caramelized flavor profile across multiple product categories. The expansion into ice cream represents a natural progression that builds on this successful brand extension strategy.
What makes this partnership particularly interesting is how it combines Lotus Bakeries’ brand heritage and flavor expertise with Froneri’s specialized manufacturing capabilities. Together, these companies are positioned to bring the beloved Biscoff taste to frozen dessert aisles worldwide, creating new opportunities for consumers to enjoy this distinctive flavor experience. For dessert lovers looking to submit their own creative recipes featuring Biscoff products, sharing a dessert recipe with our community could inspire others to experiment with this versatile ingredient.