Cold Stone Creamery celebrates Canadians' top ice cream eating occasions for National Ice Cream Day

On Sunday, July 21, the first 200 guests at each Cold Stone Creamery location will receive free ice cream

OAKVILLE, ON, July 15, 2013 /CNW/ - What do summer, birthdays and the weekend have in common? According to the What's the Scoop Cold Stone Creamery Survey, they are all better with ice cream!

"While any time is the right time for ice cream, it is not surprising that Canadians picked the arrival of warm weather as their number one occasion to enjoy ice cream, especially with our short summers," says Nick Javor, Senior Vice President, Cold Stone Creamery Canada. "Ice cream is one of the most versatile foods in the world, with limitless combinations, and it pairs perfectly with almost anything."

In honour of National Ice Cream Day on July 21, Cold Stone Creamery, creators of the Ultimate Ice Cream, has developed six unique creations for some of the top ice cream eating occasions according to Canadians:

• Warm weather - The Cold Stone Cooler
  You've got the AC blaring yet you still can't escape the blistering heat. You need The Cold Stone Cooler. Our fruity Sorbet mixed with blueberries, strawberries and raspberries will be sure to cool you down and refresh the mind, body and soul, so you can get back to enjoying the warm summer weather while it lasts.

• The weekend - It Starts Here
  Go nuts! The weekend is (finally!) here. Celebrate by treating yourself to something out of the ordinary: It Starts Here. French Vanilla Ice Cream mixed with pecans, almonds, peanut butter cups and fudge sauce - the nuttiest way to get your weekend started right.

• Date night - Love at First Bite
  Ice cream is perfect to share on a date, or any time you want to sweep that special someone off their feet. Love at First Bite is proof that opposites attract with its delicious combination of Cheesecake Ice Cream and hot fudge, mixed with brownie and graham cracker pie crust to keep you smiling so that your romance doesn't melt. Gentlemen, be sure to let your ladies have the first bite!

• Cheering someone up - The One That Got Away
  There's no better way to mend a broken heart, or soften the blow of defeat, than with a little (or a lot of) ice cream. The One That Got Away combines the most indulgent ingredients - Chocolate Ice Cream, brownie, whipped topping and fudge sauce - so you can forget the disappointment and focus on eating until your heart's content.

• Celebrating Success - Sweet Taste of Victory
  Congratulations, you did it! Whether you are SKORing goals or reaching them, the Sweet Taste of Victory is the perfect companion to help soak in every second of your success. Sweet Cream Ice Cream (perfect for savouring) mixed with caramel and SKOR bar (perfect for reaching those goals), topped with congratulatory rainbow sprinkles allow you to bask in your moment of glory for just a little while longer.

• Catching up with the ladies - Chillin' With The Girls
  Who says diamonds are a girl's best friend? Whether it's a girls' night out or in, ice cream is the perfect companion for an evening of catching up. Chillin' With the Girls is the perfect mix of self-indulgence (Strawberry Ice Cream and whipped topping) and self-control (strawberries and bananas) so you can enjoy with a clear conscience.

Fun Frozen Facts
Did you know that in 2012, Canadians consumed an average of 5.6 litres each of ice cream¹? That's the equivalent of approximately 24 cups per year! There's no denying that ice cream is number one in our hearts, so here are a few other number ones when it comes to ice cream preferences among Canadians according to the What's the Scoop Cold Stone Creamery Survey:

• Chocolate is the number one ice cream flavour in Canada, however, in Quebec vanilla and chocolate are tied for first.
• Chocolate ice cream alone isn't enough to satisfy a nation full of chocoholics; fudge sauce is the number one topping, except in Alberta where caramel sauce comes out on top.
• Quebecers really scream for ice cream when the hot weather hits: 65% of Quebec residents believe warm weather is the best occasion for eating ice cream, compared to 50% of all Canadians.

And it wouldn't be National Ice Cream Day without a nation-wide celebration: starting at 2:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, July 21 at participating full service co-branded Tim Hortons Cold Stone Creamery locations across Canada, the first 200 guests will receive a free regular-size signature creation. Available on a first come, first served basis only, so make sure you don't miss out! To find a Cold Stone Creamery location near you, visit www.coldstone.ca and use the restaurant locator.

About the What's The Scoop Cold Stone Creamery Survey
Tim Hortons commissioned Research House to conduct an online survey of 1,003 Canadians aged 18 and older. Responses were collected from June 20 to 21, 2013.

Cold Stone Creamery® Experience
Cold Stone Creamery's premium ice cream is made right in our restaurants.  To experience Cold Stone, guests simply choose their cone or cup size - Kids, Regular, Large - ice cream or sorbet and any number of countless mix-ins such as fruit, nuts, candies and other toppings. A Team Member mixes the selections with spades on a chilled granite stone, and the Creation is presented to the guest as The Ultimate Ice Cream. Guests can also enjoy Cold Stone Creamery's take-home treats such as ice cream cookie sandwiches, cupcakes, pies and cakes. More information is available at www.coldstone.ca. Follow Cold Stone Creamery on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ColdStoneCanada.

About Tim Hortons Inc.
Tim Hortons is one of the largest publicly-traded restaurant chains in North America based on market capitalization, and the largest in Canada. Operating in the quick service segment of the restaurant industry, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, espresso-based hot and cold specialty drinks including lattes, cappuccinos and espresso shots, specialty teas, fruit smoothies, home-style soups, fresh Panini and classic sandwiches, wraps, hot breakfast sandwiches and fresh baked goods, including our trademark donuts. As of March 31st, 2013, Tim Hortons had 4,288 systemwide restaurants, including 3,453 in Canada, 808 in the United States and 27 in the Gulf Cooperation Council. More information about the Company is available at www.timhortons.com. Follow Tim Hortons on Twitter: www.twitter.com/timhortons.

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¹ Government of Canada. Per Capita Consumption of Dairy Products. Accessed July 3, 2012: http://www.dairyinfo.gc.ca/pdf/dpconsumption_e.pdf

Image with caption: "Cold Stone Creamery is honouring National Ice Cream Day with the introduction of six new signature ice cream creations. With names like The Cold Stone Cooler and Love at First Bite, these creations were developed based on some of Canadians' top ice cream eating occasions. (CNW Group/Cold Stone Creamery)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130715_C7195_PHOTO_EN_28981.jpg

SOURCE: Cold Stone Creamery

Michelle Robichaud
[email protected]
905.339.5047