The Cool Dog Story

Shirley, Massachusetts

-- Ice cream shaped like a hot dog? Absolutely. This new invention by Peter Franklin of Concord, Massachusetts is a big hit with ice cream lovers all over New England. From baseball fans at Fenway Park, to visitors at Storyland in New Hampshire and Splish Splash Waterpark in New York, everyone agrees that COOL DOGs® are pretty cool.

This delicious treat is made of premium vanilla ice cream served in a delicious vanilla sponge cake bun, topped with hot fudge and whipped cream. Other custom toppings of your choice could include sprinkles, M&Ms, or perhaps a cherry — whatever you prefer. COOL DOGs® are made to order, and made to go.

The COOL DOG® was created by the very inventive mind of Peter Franklin, who spent the majority of his career in the high-tech industry; but while he was busy managing a team of software engineers, he was secretly dreaming of developing his own business — one that would provide a fun product, quick and easy, and make his customers happy. In 1998, while purchasing a hot dog at a neighborhood convenience store, Mr. Franklin was struck by the simplicity of serving hot dogs: you place your order, you add the toppings of your choice, and you're a happy customer. It occurred to him that if it was so quick and easy to provide hot dogs to customers, why couldn't the same thing be done with ice cream? And so, with the simple act of buying lunch, the ingenious idea of hot dog-shaped ice cream — the COOL DOG® — was born.

It's taken almost five years to perfect the COOL DOG® —five years of research, planning, trials, errors, taste testing, and countless bun recipes. During that time, Peter and his wife, Tara, have spent their life savings in pursuit of their dream. And when their savings ran out, they sold stock in the company to raise additional funds to keep moving towards their goal. Even when it seemed the financial barriers would prove too daunting to overcome, they never lost faith. They stayed focused, and pulled together to find a way to make COOL DOG® a success.

And a success it has become. The big break the Franklins needed came in March 2002 when they met with the vice president of concessions at Fenway Park, Rich Roper. Mr. Roper was so impressed with the product, he exclaimed, "I thought I had seen everything!" One taste of a COOL DOG® was all he needed — concessions stands at Fenway were stocked with COOL DOGs® on Opening Day 2002.

Mr. Roper is not the only one who thinks highly of COOL DOGs®. Here is what others are saying about them:

Bud Selmi, from New Hampshire's Storyland, states, "We sold a ton of them…they are very, very popular."

Dick's Last Resort patrons in the Boston area "love COOL DOGs® because they are easy to serve and fun to eat."

“Convenience of an ice cream cone, with customizable toppings, is perfect for a New England summer treat," according to the York County Coast Star.

“COOL DOG® proves to be an overnight sensation…Attendees mob the COOL DOG® booth at Orlando and Atlanta conventions," says the Concord Journal.

“After COOL DOG®, the ice cream industry will never be the same… COOL DOG®, you might say, is on a roll… The whole thing is about having fun…COOL DOGs® run away with the show,” says the Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise.

If all of this talk about creamy, delicious ice cream served on a light sponge cake bun, covered in hot fudge sauce and whipped cream has you feeling a little hungry, why not visit your local restaurant and ask them for one. One bite, and you'll know why COOL DOGs® are a delight.