The Milk Shake Factory announces partnership, expansion

The sweet, frosty, handspun ice cream drinks, sundaes and other concoctions The Milk Shake Factory is famous for will soon be available in more than two dozen additional locations.

Uh-oh.

Also, mmmm.

The popular sweet shop, with locations on Fifth Avenue Downtown and on Pittsburgh's South Side, is planning to add 25 more sites over the next three years.

According to a news release posted on its Facebook site, The Milk Shake Factory is partnering with Tull Investment Group to shift production to farm fresh ice cream, innovative techniques, and national expansion.

Thomas Tull, founder of Legendary Entertainment and Pittsburgh Steelers minority owner, and his wife, Alba Tull, are working with The Milk Shake Factory principals to bring the plans to fruition.

Tull's Rivendale Farms , located in Washington County, is at the heart of the partnership, according to the release.

The farm's Jersey cows will provide the milk that is key to a new, farm fresh soft ice cream that will be blended into the chain's milkshakes beginning this spring.

"The Edwards family has built an iconic and beloved local brand with The Milk Shake Factory, and our business and farm ventures are proud to be a part of the next generation of its growth and opportunity," says Alba Tull, Tull Investment Group CEO, in the release.

"This partnership gives us the financial ability to build an organization that will grow beyond Pittsburgh, but more importantly, it will help us create innovative technologies which will transform the retail experience," The Milk Shake Factory's Chris Edwards, CEO, adds in the announcement.

Details about where and when those national locations will open was not immediately available.

Mary Pickels is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-836-5401 or mpickels@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MaryPickels.