Baked goods manufacturer Totally Delicious Company Limited is making an ambitious push into Jamaica’s ice cream market, targeting up to 40 per cent of the locally manufactured premium segment as it diversifies the business and pursues its next phase of growth.

Following three years of research and product development, the company this week unveiled a range of 20 premium ice cream flavours, fulfilling a long-held ambition of founder Lloyd Lawrence. The launch, marking the company’s biggest expansion in its nearly three-decade history, added ice cream to a portfolio best known for products such as rock cakes, coffee strips, banana bread, and iced cakes.

Speaking at an official launch and product tasting event held at the company’s flagship Old Harbour, St Catherine location on Wednesday, director and Marketing Manager Devaun Clarke said the new venture is expected to contribute at least 20 per cent of domestic revenue while establishing Totally Delicious as a significant player in the local ice cream market.

“We wanted to create something that could compete with any of the top brands — not just locally, but globally and so today we are proud to be launching 20 flavours under the Totally Delicious ice cream brand,” Clarke told the Jamaica Observer.

Baked products manufactured by Totally Delicious

“We believe this new segment can deliver at least 20 per cent of our revenue. If everything goes according to plan, we also want to achieve between 30 and 40 per cent penetration of the locally manufactured premium ice cream market,” he added.

Totally Delicious is entering a market that includes established locally manufactured brands such as Kremi, produced by Caribbean Cream Limited, and Devon House I-Scream, produced by Scoops Unlimited. Clarke said the company believes its combination of traditional favourites and less common flavours will help distinguish the brand.

In addition to rum and raisin, grapenut, vanilla and chocolate, the Totally Delicious range features distinctive flavours including jackfruit, pistachio, stout, and Irish moss, as well as liqueur-inspired varieties such as Baileys, Blue Lagoon (made with Curaçao liqueur), and Kahlúa Cookie.

He said the inclusion of flavours such as jackfruit was a deliberate strategy to differentiate the brand while appealing to Jamaican tastes.

In addition to traditional favourites such as rum and raisin, grape-nut, vanilla and chocolate, the Totally Delicious range features distinctive flavours including jackfruit, pistachio, stout and Irish moss, as well as liqueur-inspired varieties such as Baileys, Blue Lagoon (made with Curaçao liqueur) and Kahlúa Cookie.

“We know Jamaicans love jackfruit, so we wanted to create something that reflects our culture while giving consumers this flavour as a unique dairy option,” he said, while noting the ice cream, priced in line with competing premium brands, will see servings starting at about $700.

The products are currently available only at the company’s Old Harbour headquarters and its Mannings Hill Road location in Kingston. However, Clarke said distribution will gradually expand into supermarkets before the company moves to develop a franchise network combining its bakery and ice cream offerings under a single retail concept.

Declining to disclose the exact value of the investment in the new segment, Clarke said the project required a multimillion-dollar outlay on specialised equipment, production facilities and research.

The launch of its ice cream product also comes as Totally Delicious looks to broaden its overall business model beyond manufacturing.

In addition to the new ice cream parlour, the company has also developed a family park and recreational space at its Grove Park headquarters in Old Harbour, St Catherine.

In addition to the new ice cream parlour, the company has also developed a family park and recreational space at its Grove Farm headquarters in Old Harbour, complete with seating areas, children’s play facilities and security, while also expanding its restaurant, catering and event venue operations.

Clarke said the integrated concept is designed to attract families from the fast-growing Old Harbour and Spanish Town corridor while creating multiple revenue streams.

“In addition to people coming for the ice cream, they can also enjoy the park, have a meal and spend time together without having to drive all the way into Kingston. Nothing else of this kind is available in these parts and so we wanted to create a family space where parents can relax while their children play in a safe environment,” Clarke noted.

With plans for regional and international expansion remaining actively on the agenda, Clarke, sharing an outlook, said these will come only after the company has established a stronger foothold in the local market.

“Our goal is to continue growing the Totally Delicious brand and eventually have our products in every shopping cart across Jamaica,” he said.