Inventing an Entire New Food Category — Inside the Rise of BuzzBar Ice Cream with Randy Freeman
Mon Jan 12 2026
What does it take to create a product that literally doesn’t fit into any existing category?In this episode of What Are You Working Towards, Chris Brodhead sits down with Randy Freeman, Founder & CEO of BUZZBAR Ice Cream, to unpack one of the most unconventional entrepreneurial journeys you’ll hear.Randy shares how his career began in music, home video, and entertainment distribution — working alongside legendary industry figures — before eventually leading him to a single obsessive question: why doesn’t great ice cream exist for adults?That question sparked the creation of BuzzBar: premium ice cream and sorbet bars infused with real spirits.Since launching in 2014, BuzzBar has navigated regulatory gray zones, built its own manufacturing process, survived COVID shutdowns, and secured partnerships with luxury hotels, festivals, and major food service operators. Along the way, Randy explains why many national grocery chains are still hesitant to carry the product — and what it will take for BuzzBar to finally break through.Topics Covered: • Creating a product category that didn’t previously exist • Navigating alcohol, food, and federal regulations • Why grocery chains fear alcohol-infused ice cream • Building a profitable, self-funded company without hype • Surviving COVID when your entire channel disappears • The long game of partnerships, distribution, and exitsWhere You Can Find Randy & BuzzBar: • BuzzBar Website: https://buzzbaricecream.com/ • Randy Freeman (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-freeman-786354133/ • Email: randy@buzzbaricecream.comIf you enjoy honest founder stories, category-creating products, and behind-the-scenes business reality — this episode delivers.
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What does it take to create a product that literally doesn’t fit into any existing category?In this episode of What Are You Working Towards, Chris Brodhead sits down with Randy Freeman, Founder & CEO of BUZZBAR Ice Cream, to unpack one of the most unconventional entrepreneurial journeys you’ll hear.Randy shares how his career began in music, home video, and entertainment distribution — working alongside legendary industry figures — before eventually leading him to a single obsessive question: why doesn’t great ice cream exist for adults?That question sparked the creation of BuzzBar: premium ice cream and sorbet bars infused with real spirits.Since launching in 2014, BuzzBar has navigated regulatory gray zones, built its own manufacturing process, survived COVID shutdowns, and secured partnerships with luxury hotels, festivals, and major food service operators. Along the way, Randy explains why many national grocery chains are still hesitant to carry the product — and what it will take for BuzzBar to finally break through.Topics Covered: • Creating a product category that didn’t previously exist • Navigating alcohol, food, and federal regulations • Why grocery chains fear alcohol-infused ice cream • Building a profitable, self-funded company without hype • Surviving COVID when your entire channel disappears • The long game of partnerships, distribution, and exitsWhere You Can Find Randy & BuzzBar: • BuzzBar Website: https://buzzbaricecream.com/ • Randy Freeman (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-freeman-786354133/ • Email: randy@buzzbaricecream.comIf you enjoy honest founder stories, category-creating products, and behind-the-scenes business reality — this episode delivers.