Shark Tank Tested Soft Serve Opening in Clearwater

CLEARWATER, FL- Crispy Cones, the gourmet soft-serve franchise that gained national attention on Shark Tank, is preparing to open at 2539 Countryside Blvd, Suite 7A, Clearwater, FL 33761 in the Countryside Center. Co-owners Todd and Tricia Basler told Business Debut they are targeting a March 27 opening, pending final construction details.

The Clearwater store will be the Baslers’ second location with the brand. They purchased an existing Orlando shop in July 2025 and are now building their Pinellas County location from the ground up.

What to Expect

Crispy Cones serves freshly made rotisserie grilled pastry cones filled with gourmet soft serve ice cream. The dough is prepared daily, wrapped around a wooden dowel, grilled, and coated in cinnamon sugar or a rotating specialty coating before being filled.

Each cone is lined with a spread such as Nutella, peanut butter, or jam before the ice cream is added. Customers can then choose from a variety of toppings and drizzles.

The Clearwater shop will offer 18 indoor seats and 16 outdoor seats, with additional common area seating nearby. The location sits between Five Below and First Watch in Countryside Center.

The brand releases a new cone coating and a new ice cream flavor each week, with updates announced primarily through social media. Guests can also order ahead using the Crispy Cones app, which allows customers to customize their cones in advance and skip the line.

In addition to in store service, the location will offer Experience Boxes, which include cones, ice cream, toppings, and spreads for at home or corporate events. Catering services will also be available.

Menu and Vision

Crispy Cones was founded after the original owner discovered a traditional Czech pastry during a two-year mission trip. After returning to the United States, he adapted the concept by filling the pastry with soft-serve ice cream. The business later appeared on Shark Tank, where Barbara Corcoran invested and helped transition the concept into a franchise model.

For the Baslers, the opportunity aligned with their goal of building a family-run business. “It was mainly so we could incorporate and have a family business together,” they told Business Debut.

The family relocated from St. Louis County, Missouri to Florida to pursue the venture. Their daughter Alexis Basler, 23, serves as chief operating officer of the Orlando location. Their daughter Madison and son Blake are also involved, with Blake expected to work at the Clearwater store this summer.

“We’ve always wanted to teach our kids to be entrepreneurs,” they told Business Debut.

Opening Timeline

The team is targeting a March 27 opening, with a grand opening weekend planned shortly after. Timing is dependent on final construction elements.

Hours

The Clearwater location plans to operate seven days a week.

• Monday through Thursday: noon to 11 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: noon to midnight
• Sunday: noon to 10 p.m.

Follow for More

For more information, visit their Website and follow on Instagram and Facebook.

Customers can also download the Crispy Cones app via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store to view weekly flavors and order ahead.