How it all began
In 1917, a school teacher from York, PA named Archie Kohr purchased a locally made ice cream machine that was powered by a gasoline engine. He and his younger brothers, Elton and Lester, wanted to expand the dairy business they ran from the family’s farm.
The fresh homemade ice cream was a popular addition to the milk delivered door to door by the Kohr brothers’ horse-drawn wagon. They experimented with the recipe. It now had less fat and less sugar for a smoother, lighter product.
Archie and Elton were not satisfied. They dismantled the machine, changed some parts and adjusted others.
When they put their modified machine back together and ran the new recipe through it, what came out was something unlike any other dairy treat they had ever tasted. It was silky and creamy, cold and refreshing.
Evolving the product
Sylvester Kohr, their uncle, urged the brothers to take their new machine and frozen dessert to the shore. Following his advice, the Kohr brothers set up a small booth on the bustling boardwalk of Coney Island in 1919. On their very first weekend, they sold more than 18,000 cones at a nickel each. They knew they were on to something great!
To prevent the “Frozen Dessert” from melting too fast in the salt air at the beach, Archie, Elton and Lester added eggs to the recipe which stiffened the product – it worked perfectly. Incorporating the improved recipe with the use of their new machine, they created a light and fluffy product that “tasted just like a custard” – the first and the Original frozen custard.
Over the years the business grew, but Elton decided to venture out on his own in 1923. Later, in 1927, Morgan Kohr (a fourth brother) joined Archie & Lester to help expand Kohr Bros.® stores up and down the East Coast Now, there are Kohr Bros.® stores in four states. The company’s business is based on three very important principles : Quality, Cleanliness and Customer Service.
Continuing the tradition
Today, as in 1919, Kohr Bros.® Original Frozen Custard is lower in fat and sugar than ice cream. Archie Kohr’s original recipe is still produced under the watchful eye of the Kohr family.
We offer single flavors or twist combinations – from traditional vanilla and distinctive chocolate to our wide variety of real fruit and other delicious flavors. Kohr Bros.® Frozen Custard is the foundation for our shakes and malts, refreshing Cruisin’ Smoothies®, scrumptious Snowstorms® and tempting sundaes.
Kohr Bros.® Frozen Custard continues to delight customers of all ages, from toddlers to senior citizens. With less fat and sugar than ice cream, Kohr Bros.® has broad-based customer appeal that suits every taste.
