MilkShake Factory, the century-old Pittsburgh dessert brand, is cutting the ribbon on its first Massachusetts shop with a grand opening party at Walpole Mall on Saturday, March 28 from noon to 4 p.m., complete with buy-one-get-one deals and swag for early birds. The new spot plans to open every day and will offer both in-store ordering and takeout, as reorted by MilkShake Factory.
According to Boston 25 News, the shop is setting up at 108 Providence Highway inside Walpole Mall and will celebrate its grand opening from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on March 28. The station reports that customers can score a buy-one-get-one-free deal on shakes, sundaes and molten cups, and that the first 100 guests will walk away with free MilkShake Factory T-shirts. Founder and CEO Dana Edwards Manatos called the move “an exciting milestone” as the company pushes into new markets.
The brand traces its roots back to a 1914 chocolate shop and soda fountain in Pittsburgh and has since grown into a national franchising program, according to MilkShake Factory. The concept leans on housemade ice cream and small-batch chocolates, with a menu centered on hand-spun shakes and rotating specialty flavors. That long-running family story is a big part of how the chain is pitching itself to new communities.
Grand opening deals and hours
The grand opening event is set for noon to 4 p.m. and will feature the buy-one-get-one-free promotion on shakes, sundaes and molten cups, while the first 100 people through the door receive free T-shirts, Boston 25 News notes. Once the party wraps, the Walpole shop is scheduled to operate seven days a week from noon to 10 p.m., serving walk-in customers along with takeout orders.
Why Walpole Mall?
Walpole Mall has been reworking its lineup of tenants, and its online directory now shows MilkShake Factory as “coming soon.” The Walpole Mall directory lists the dessert shop among the property’s eateries, while commercial real estate coverage has tied the addition into a broader refresh of the mall. Banker & Tradesman flagged MilkShake Factory as one of the incoming tenants that are part of the mall’s ongoing makeover.
A growing franchise
MilkShake Factory has been on an aggressive growth kick, reaching its 100th awarded franchise unit within the first year of launching its franchise program, according to a press release via GlobeNewswire. Industry reporting from QSR Magazine notes that the company is leaning hard on its chocolatiers’ heritage as it looks for new markets and franchise partners.
For menus, hours and any last-minute updates, the company plans to keep its Walpole listing current as opening day approaches. The latest details for the new shop are available on MilkShake Factory's Walpole page, which the brand says is the best place to check for changes to hours or event information.
