Blue Bell Ice Cream plans to expand distribution into Cincinnati and Dayton in 2026, bringing more of its Texas-made products to Ohio stores.
HOUSTON — Fans of Blue Bell Ice Cream in Ohio will soon have an easier time finding the Texas-based brand on store shelves.
Blue Bell Creameries announced plans to expand its distribution area to Cincinnati, Dayton and surrounding cities in spring 2026, bringing its full lineup of ice cream and frozen treats to more locations across the state.
“We’re excited to share that Blue Bell is on the way,” said Carl Breed, Blue Bell vice president of sales and marketing. “Blue Bell is sold in a very small portion of Ohio, but soon we will be bringing our ice cream to even more stores across the state. We plan to offer our full lineup of products, and we’ll provide additional details as we get closer to the official launch.”
New Ohio distribution facility planned
To support the expansion, Blue Bell is building a 16,000-square-foot distribution facility at 310 Homan Road in Lebanon, Ohio.
No ice cream will be manufactured at the site. Instead, the facility will include cold storage and serve as a distribution hub for the region. Blue Bell uses direct store delivery, meaning the product is handled only by Blue Bell employees from production until it reaches store shelves.
Where Blue Bell will be sold
Specific store locations have not been announced, but the company says customers can expect to find Blue Bell products at most major supermarkets and drugstores across the Cincinnati area once distribution begins.
Blue Bell currently sells its products in 24 states, and the brand has built a strong following well beyond those boundaries.
Hiring expected ahead of launch
Blue Bell says it will begin hiring in early 2026 to staff the new Ohio operation. Positions will include:
Route delivery driversShipping and warehouse personnelOffice roles
A Texas brand with national appeal
Blue Bell Ice Cream is headquartered in Brenham, Texas, and all of its products are made at manufacturing facilities in Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama.
Additional details about store availability and the official launch timeline are expected closer to spring 2026.
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