Courtesy of Milkshake Factory
In 1914, Charlie and Orania Sarandou emigrated from Greece to Pittsburgh, bringing family recipes for chocolate and ice cream. They built a modest chocolate shop and soda fountain that passed from generation to generation, evolving to include a chocolate factory and later, gourmet milkshakes. In 2003, Dana Edwards Manatos, the great granddaughter of the Sarandous, created a business plan—as part of a college program—to make her mother’s chocolate shop less of a seasonal business and drive year-round sales. Milkshake Factory was whipped into existence.
With 11 locations in Pittsburgh plus 15 franchise locations around the country, Milkshake Factory serves 26 varieties of hand-spun shakes, as well as chocolate bark, cake pops, and stroopwafels. In late summer or early fall, Milkshake Factory will open its first Georgia location in Milton (12660 Crabapple Road). A South Forsyth shop (850 Peachtree Parkway) will follow, with a Roswell outpost planned for the end of the year.
Courtesy of Milkshake Factory
“We make our own ice cream daily with a family recipe made specifically for milkshakes (more than 10 percent butterfat),” says Manatos, now CEO. “It’s the best milkshake on the market.”
All sauces, syurps, purees, and whipped cream are made in house. Favorite shakes include campfire s’mores, bananas foster, chocolate cake shake, salted caramel pretzel, and mint cookies and cream, in addition to traditional options like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Nondairy shakes made with soy and almond milks are available as well.
Courtesy of Milkshake Factory
Customers can watch the shakes being made as they purchase chocolate by the piece. The 1,500-square-foot space features white subway tile and Carrera countertops, a nod to the shop’s turn-of-the-century roots. Walnut wood tables and chairs warm the seating area. “It has a clean candy kitchen feel to it,” Manatos says.
Three additional metro Atlanta stores are planned but the leases have yet to be signed.
Courtesy of Milkshake Factory
