A Kansas City ice cream chain is eyeing St. Louis for further expansion this year.

Betty Rae’s Ice Cream plans to open a store in the region this summer, with more on the way, company owner Matt Shatto said.

Shatto hopes to establish up to five Betty Rae’s locations in the region, from St. Charles into St. Louis. So far, the brand has five Kansas City-area locations and one new franchise location in Omaha, Nebraska.

Shatto said he isn’t worried about competition from St. Louis dessert staples like Ted Drewes, Clementine’s or Fitz's.

“We believe there’s enough space for everybody,” he said. “We offer something very different. We try to make ice cream fun. There's a uniqueness about everyone.”

Betty Rae’s flavor offerings include lavender honey, gooey butter cake, cereal milk, cinnamon, matcha and more. All flavors are made in-house and with the goal of resonating with kids and families, Shatto said. They also sell homemade waffle cones, ice cream sandwiches, sundaes and ice cream flights.

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Betty Rae’s Ice Cream was founded in 2016. Shatto purchased the company in 2023 and is working to expand the brand into cities like Nashville, Denver, Oklahoma City and Wichita.

“We’ll go where we’re wanted,” he said.

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