Bruster's Real Ice Cream Testimonial: Torrance, CA

When Tyler Clinton opened his Bruster’s Real Ice Cream shop in Torrance, California, he wasn’t chasing a new career. He was continuing something that started with his dad, Bob Clinton.

“My father worked in the restaurant industry since he was sixteen,” Tyler said. “He ended up becoming VP of Franchise Operations for Marie Callender’s, so he really understood how franchising worked.”

After retiring, Bob and a business partner began looking into ice cream concepts. “They came across Bruster’s and saw a lot of things they liked: the people involved, the structure, and how things were done.” Together they opened Bruster’s first location on the West Coast back in 2015..

A few years later, Tyler and his brothers followed the same path. “He came to us and said, ‘Would you like to do this?’ We went out and got the loan ourselves. My dad had already been through Bruster’s training, so he helped get everything built out and open. We provided the money and he provided the experience.”

The Torrance location opened in December of 2017. “Probably not the best month for ice cream,” Tyler joked. “If I did it again, I’d open in summer. But even so, we did pretty good business from the start.”

Running a Family Business

At first, everyone pitched in. “My dad made the ice cream every morning. I’d close two nights a week, my brother would close two nights a week. We weren’t ready to let go of control yet.”

Everything changed when his father passed away two years later. “We were caught off guard. He handled all the inventory and production. Thankfully, Bruster’s corporate and other franchisees stepped up right away to help us keep things running. One franchisee even came out from Arizona to help us get back on our feet. That support meant a lot.”

As the store became established, the family, with good leadership, was able to step back from day-to-day operations. “I swing by after work. I get the calls if there’s an issue. But we have someone who’s been with us since the beginning who handles scheduling, hiring, and everything else.”

More Than Just Ice Cream

Bruster’s has become a big part of Tyler’s life and community. “Every week, I stop by with my kids. Their teachers and friends come by. It’s something they’ll remember, that we went to Bruster’s every week with Dad.”

He most appreciates Bruster’s culture. “It’s always had this family feel. You can tell people care about each other. They’ve always been there for us. We’ve never felt like we were left alone wondering what’s going on.”

Tyler shared how much he enjoys Bruster’s Annual “Partners in Progress” Conference. You leave those conferences feeling excited. You start thinking, maybe I could open another one, maybe get a truck. It’s motivating.”

Lessons from Eight Years in Business

Eight years in, Tyler’s location continues to grow. “We’ve increased our sales every year, and our customer numbers too. That’s what really matters.”

His best advice for anyone considering a Bruster’s? “Location is everything. We’re on the corner of two busy streets. People sit at the light, see our line and want to check it out. You’re putting in the same effort whether it’s a good spot or a bad one, so you might as well give yourself the best shot.”

Would he do it again? “Absolutely,” Tyler said. “It’s been successful, it’s part of our family and it’s something my kids can be proud of. I still think about my daughters working there one day. That would make me happy.”

Takeaway

For Tyler Clinton, owning a Bruster’s is more than a business. It’s a family story, a community hub and proof that the right support can turn a simple idea into something lasting.