By Chelsea Pyne

You know you are a true entrepreneur when you start a frozen dessert company in the middle of an Ohio winter and it succeeds.  Whit’s Frozen Custard was the creation and collaboration of Chuck and Lisa Whitman; both of whom grew up in the food service business.  The couple spent years exploring the finest ingredients and recipes in order to perfect their desserts.  With the warranted success of the frozen custard, the franchises have moved their way south and made home at 508 E East Mountain Street– with a second location on the way.

Thanks to Melinda Moore, Kernersville is now close acquaintances with the Whitman’s handiwork.  Melinda explained, “My husband and I had always joked that if we ever moved out of Central Ohio, I would stop working as a registered nurse and open a Whit’s.  After moving to North Carolina last year and finding a location, it became a reality.  We love the Triad, but realized that it needed the fresh taste of frozen custard.”  Kernersville residents have agreed–upping the demand of the unfamiliar dessert.  “I have had to explain what frozen custard is to most everyone.  My goal is to duplicate the model of the original Whit’s and not only become the “go-to” place for high-quality, reasonably-priced products, but to become a community-centered hangout,” Melinda added.

Similar to ice cream and frozen yogurt, a few differences separate frozen custard from its competitors.  First, frozen custard is smoother and creamier than its counterparts due to its higher butterfat content.  Making the custard is a slower, labor-intensive process–as they say, good things take time.  Frozen custard is served at 26 degrees; ten degrees warmer than ice cream.  Better ingredients, a slower process, and no brain freeze?  It has had customers going back for seconds.  

Customers can expect quality in every spoonful, as Whit’s frozen custard is made fresh all day, every day.  “We are not corporation-owned like other ice cream, frozen yogurt, and even other frozen custard businesses, so we are able to offer the freshest premium ingredients.  Additionally, ice cream has 80% air in it, while frozen custard has only 20% air, making it denser and creamier,” Melinda explained.  For those watching their diets, they can rest assured that they can still ‘eat clean’ at Whit’s.  Natural ingredients, no trans-fat, gluten free, fewer calories, less fat, and less carbs than ice cream…it is a win-win for all.    

To keep in line with the mantra “quality over quantity,” Whit’s offers three to four choices of frozen custard.  Vanilla (the most popular), chocolate, and a rotating flavor of the week, such as Sea Salt Caramel Truffle and English Toffee.  The multitude of toppings offers hundreds of flavors and ensures everyone finds their perfect dessert.  A variety of specialties are also offered every day, including the popular Buckeye Madness (Reese’s, chocolate, and peanut butter) and Kernersville Krunch (fudge, caramel, and their special roasted pecans) that can be made as either sundaes or as the famous Whitser.  It does not end there either–more treats decorate the menu.  Whitties, which consist of frozen custard sandwiched in between freshly baked chocolate chip cookies; frozen custard cakes; hand-dipped waffle cones; hotdogs; BBQ and shredded chicken sandwiches; and other snacks are available.  Custom orders can be placed as well.

Call it love at first sight, Melinda fell for the 508-E East Mountain Street location during her first drive through Kernersville.  Inevitably charmed by the small town appeal, Melinda found Neil Street, a contractor, and got to work setting out plans for a new Whit’s Frozen Custard.  “The space was a nasty mess, but I loved the windows.  The location on the corner of Routes 150/66 and the easy access from both historic downtown Kernersville and Business 40 made it perfect to build a bright space with retro-modern appeal,” she explained.

Although Whit’s is still relatively new in our area, opening this past April, Melinda has already made many memories with her customers.  She reflected, “One customer lived in Granville, Ohio, years ago and has since moved to Kernersville.  She would return to Ohio every year and stock up on Whit’s.  Upon discovering Whit’s was opening locally, she called me and could not contain her glee.  She kept the good news from her teenagers, blindfolded them, and brought them to our franchise.  They were jumping up and down in the parking lot with excitement…needless to say, they are among our best customers!”

So stop in and taste the excitement surrounding Whit’s.  Every week, “Whit’s Wednesday” offers a hotdog or sandwich, chips, and a scoop of frozen custard for $5.  For those on the go, quarts and pints are hand-packed on the same day the frozen custard is made.  The shop is located at 508 E Mountain St, Kernersville.   Whit’s Frozen Custard is open from 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and from 12 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. on Sundays during the school year.  Whit’s is open at 9:00 a.m. every morning (10:00 a.m. Sundays) for those wanting to pick up a quart, pint, cake, or other novelties.