HÄAGEN DAZS - GENERAL MILLS FRANCE

Who doesn't know about the delicious Häagen-Dazs ice cream? This brand represents the excellence of frozen delights, and for good reason, its notoriety knows no borders. Its product range is based on a selection of high quality ingredients, worked from gourmet and bold recipes. In 2012, Häagen-Dazs received the Origine France Garantie label at its Arras production site.

History. It was in 1921 that a young entrepreneur, Reuben Matthus, took on the crazy challenge of creating the best ice cream in the world. Selling water ice cream, Eskimos and sorbets alongside his mother in the Bronx (New York), he decided at the same time to select the best ingredients for his first recipes. The family business prospered throughout the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Then, in 1960, with his wife, Rose, he decided to create a company that reflected his vision: Häagen-Dazs. The following year, the brand's first ice cream came in three flavours: dark chocolate from Belgium, vanilla from Madagascar and coffee. It will be a resounding success in its beautifully decorated pot. In 1976, Reuben and Rose Matthus' daughter Doris opened the first franchised store in New York. Häagen-Dazs will soon spread throughout the world.

In 1991, the brand launched the construction of its European production site near Arras, in northern France, which enabled it to export to 60 countries. It is in this region that it obtains its raw materials such as milk and cream.

The products. Häagen-Dazs ice creams are endlessly available: chocolate brownie banana, pecan vanilla, summer fruit, mocha speculoos, mango... It is possible to taste them in the shop as a gourmet coffee, or with a Belgian waffle or a cookie dipped in whipped cream.

Employment. There were 86 of them at the start. In 2017, the production site of the subsidiary of the agri-food group General Mills employs 345 people, joined by 220 seasonal workers. In 2018, 80 new hires were made.