How Michelle & Neil Mazuranic Found Success with Bruster's Real Ice Cream

After accomplished careers in the pharmaceutical industry and government, Michelle and Neil Mazuranic were ready for their next chapter. They wanted to combine their leadership and management experience with their passion for community involvement. “We were looking for a new challenge,” Neil said. “We wanted to be our own bosses, continue to grow professionally, and make a positive impact in the community.” That search led them to explore franchise opportunities and ultimately sign on with Bruster’s Real Ice Cream.

The Mazuranics were already loyal Bruster’s customers in Maryland. They’d been drawn to the high quality of the ice cream, the variety of flavors, and the friendly service. When it came time to invest, those same qualities, and the great people behind the brand, said Michelle, made Bruster’s the clear choice. “Besides the amazing quality of their products and phenomenal customer experience, what really sold us on the franchise was the amazing team at Bruster’s corporate,” Michelle explained. “After meeting them and talking with other franchise owners, we knew they would be there for us every step of the way. So far, they have not disappointed.”

In February 2025, the Mazuranics opened their first Bruster’s location in Summerville, South Carolina, serving the greater Charleston area. The experience, Neil said, has exceeded their expectations. “We knew we’d be serving an incredible product, but what we didn’t realize was how much we’d impact the lives of our employees,” he shared. “Most of our scoopers are high school students in their first job. We get to teach them real-world skills like how to communicate with customers, uphold quality standards, and be part of a team.”

Owning a Bruster’s has also helped the Mazuranics develop new professional skills. “We’ve grown in ways we never imagined in areas like financial management, customer experience, and community engagement,” Michelle said. And their growth is just beginning. The couple owns development rights to the Charleston market and plans to open more locations in the coming years.

Michelle and Neil credit much of their success to the strong support system provided by Bruster’s corporate team. “They’ve been phenomenal,” Michelle said. “Their real estate team helped us find the perfect site, their construction experts ensured everything met our needs, and the operations team has been invaluable in helping us run our store day-to-day.”

Founded on a legacy of handcrafted quality, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream has become a beloved brand across the country. With more than 200 independently owned locations, each store features at least 24 ever-changing flavors daily from a proprietary, home-style mix delivered fresh from the Bruster’s dairy. With over 150 flavor options, including non-dairy oat milk varieties, Italian ice, and sorbet, Bruster’s offers franchisees a business model built on quality, freshness, and loyal customer appeal.

When asked if they’d do it again, Michelle doesn’t hesitate. “Yes, absolutely,” she said. “It’s been everything we hoped for and more.”

Ready to scoop up your own piece of the Bruster’s Real Ice Cream success story? Click here to explore franchise opportunities with Bruster’s Real Ice Cream.

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