Häagen-Dazs strawberry ice cream

Häagen-Dazs is a renowned American ice cream brand, famously established in 1960 by Reuben and Rose Mattus in Brooklyn, New York. Despite its Scandinavian-sounding name, which was entirely fabricated by the founders to evoke an aura of European quality and old-world craftsmanship, the brand is a product of American entrepreneurship. The strawberry flavor, specifically, was the fourth flavor added to their original lineup and took several years to perfect to meet the founders' strict quality standards.

Manufacturing of Häagen-Dazs occurs in several global hubs. For the European and many international markets, the primary production facility is located in Tilloy-lès-Mofflaines, France. In North America, production is handled in the United States and Canada through specialized facilities. There is also a dedicated manufacturing plant in Japan to serve the Asian market.

The ownership structure of Häagen-Dazs is unique and split by region. While General Mills became the ultimate owner of the brand internationally after acquiring the Pillsbury Company in 2001, the rights in the United States and Canada were licensed to Nestlé. In 2019, Nestlé transitioned its North American ice cream business, including the Häagen-Dazs license, to Froneri—a joint venture between Nestlé and PAI Partners—which continues to operate the brand in those territories into 2026 and beyond.