Tastee-Freez

In 1950, Leo Maranz invented a small freezer to make soft serve ice cream. He approached Harry Axene, who had previously helped franchise Dairy Queen, and they formed a new Chicago-based chain, which they named Tastee-Freez. The company sold its freezers at cost to franchisees and made its profits on the sale of the ice cream mix. In addition to soft serve ice cream, Tastee-Freez introduced other foods, such as its “Big Tee Burgers.” By 1956 the chain had 1,500 outlets.

One early finance executive was Harry Sonneborn, who gained a great deal of experience in franchising while working with Tastee-Freez. Later Sonneborn teamed up with Ray Kroc, and many consider Sonneborn to be the co-founder of the McDonald’s chain.