Farrell's Ice Cream Challenge

If you don’t remember Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour you're either younger than, let's say 25, didn’t live within a hundred miles from one of the 130 locations in the 80’s or your parent’s, just simply, didn’t love you!

After the company was sold to an investment group in 1985 the Farrell’s concept was dramatically changed and by 1990 almost all Farrell’s locations were closed.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and we can’t think of a better example. In 2009 Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour made its triumphant return to cries of rejoice and celebration. And from that Orange County Grand Opening, Studio Three Sixty was lucky enough to be hand scooped (yea I just wrote that awesome pun) by the President of Farrell's to provide awesome design and super sweet marketing services. So we got to work and one of the first large events Studio Three Sixty proposed was an annual charity ice cream eating challenge.

Farrell’s reputation is over the top fun, first rate entertainment and marching to the beat of its own drum (literally), and if we were going to put together an annual ice cream eating challenge event for this legendary ice cream parlour it best be better than great. And this is where Farrell’s First Ever, First Annual Splendiferously Superiffic Summer Spectacular Ice Cream Eating Challenge was born. Not only did it have one of the most super-duper funnest names to say but all the proceeds when to local charities.

The Ice Cream Challenge sought to find the fastest ice cream eaters around. The event began on the first day of summer and ended on Nation Ice Cream Day. From June 21 through July 11 anyone and everyone could and did come into one of the three Farrell’s locations and tried to qualify by being of of the fastest to eat a 3-scoope sundae. At the end of the qualifying rounds, the fastest 8 men, 8 women and 4 4-person teams were invited back to participate in the July 18, 2010 Championship event where individuals duled it out to find out once and for all, or at leaset for the next year, who was the ONE fastest AND best ice cream eater of all times.

Individuals fought it out with their mouths by eating a Farrell's Famous Pig’s Trough while 4-person teams had to spelunk into and eat their way out of Farrell’s Famous Zoo (30 scoops of ice cream plus toppings and whipped cream).

Outcome

The event was a great success. Hundreds of Farrell's Fun-atics dug in and braved the possibilities of brainfreeze for the chance to win the title of Farrell's Most Best and Fastest Ice Cream Eater 2010.

Farrell's was overwhelmed and thrilled with the attention the event generated with the public and in the media. The restaurant saw a spike in walk-in attendance, party reservations and in their website hits. Best of all... $3,000 was raised for CHOC and The Henry Mayo Hospital.

A few of the online and print media outlets that covered this event included:

  • OC Weekly online & print
  • OC Register Online & print
  • NBC Online
  • Great-Taste

The event received great television coverage as well. Allie Mac Kay from KTLA Morning News came out and pre-promoted the event that include multiple segment shots all morning long.

Farrells-ktla

Then once the event got rolling almost every local television station covered the event multiple times including NBC, KTLA, ABC, FOX and UPN.

Farrells Media

Now, as if that wasn’t enough we also had some of our great radio station friends show up and support this great event including MYfm, KROQ and AMP Radio. Internet radio personalities Jack and Stench broadcasted with a bunch of their listeners with Jack challenging a few of his listners.

Jack loses the Farrel's Summer Spectacular Ice Cream eating contest

We can do this for you too! All it takes is a call, (949) 380-7360, or email to get you started.

By the way, just in case you were wondering... at 2 minutes 37 seconds, Tisha S. of Lake Forest won the Womens Individual. At 1 minute 15 seconds, Robert C. of Laguna Niguel won the Mens Individual. And finally, at 2 minutes 11 seconds the team 3 Kids and an Old Guy (Eric H., Jordan W., Nick J., & Fawad A.) won the 4-person Challenge!