by Rachel Terlecky – Franchise Development Manager
Leigh Jaffer’s connection to Handel’s Ice Cream runs deep—so deep, in fact, that it started when she was just 11 years old. In 1985, her parents acquired the original Handel’s location in Youngstown, Ohio, directly from its founder, Alice Handel. Under the leadership of her father, Lenny Fisher, the brand expanded from a single beloved shop into a thriving national chain known for its handmade ice cream.
“I fell in love with Handel’s immediately and couldn’t wait to start working,” Jaffer recalls. “When we opened our second location in Liberty, Ohio, I was 13 and eager to jump in. I loved everything about it—scooping ice cream, working the window—there was nowhere else I wanted to be.”
Throughout high school, she continued working in the stores, and in college, she helped manage the original Youngstown location. After a brief time in California, Jaffer returned, ready to fully commit to the family business.
“For the next few years, I trained new franchisees and helped open about seven locations,” she says. “In 2003, my husband and I opened our own store in Austintown. Soon after, we started our family, and I had the incredible opportunity to raise my kids while running a business I knew and loved.”
“In 2021, we purchased the Broadview Heights location. I had originally trained the previous owners to open that store years earlier, so it felt like the perfect fit. Even though it was an hour away, I had an amazing team in Austintown that helped manage the transition smoothly.”
Strong leadership and a dedicated team have been the backbone of Jaffer’s success. Thanks to their support, she was able to acquire the North Canton location the following year and, most recently, the Northfield location this past summer.
What makes her ownership of these stores even more special? She played a key role in opening each of them more than 20 years ago—bringing her journey with Handel’s Ice Cream full circle.
“It’s been so special to come back and now own those stores in the communities that I helped them start in,” Jaffer said.
Q&A with Leigh Jaffer
What was it like to know Alice Handel, considering she founded the business in 1945 and worked there until 1985?
Alice was there when I was just 11 years old, and I have such fond memories of those early days at the original Handel’s in Youngstown. Back then, it was the only Handel’s, and it was always packed—cars lined up in the parking lot, people tailgating, sitting on their trunks, and long lines at every window.
Alice was small but mighty, a quiet yet formidable presence. She ran the back of the parlor, making all the ice cream herself. When it came to pulling the ice cream from the machine, that was her job—no one else was allowed to touch it. She may have been tiny, but she was incredibly strong, both in spirit and determination.
I can still envision her sitting on her little stool next to the machines, patiently waiting for the ice cream to be ready. Up front, a bustling team of young girls worked in tandem, scooping and serving customers with energy and enthusiasm.
I was lucky to have spent those last two years with Alice before she passed, and she left a life-long mark on me. Even at 76, she gave everything to the business. She was one of the kindest, most hardworking people I’ve ever known, and I’ll always cherish the time I had with her.
How did you build such a strong team at your parlors?
Trusting our employees, listening to them, and making them feel like they’re truly a part of something–that’s what it’s all about. They are the front line, the face of the business, and the ones the community interacts with every day. I believe that leadership starts at the top, and attitude reflects leadership. If I set a positive example and take pride in our product and community, that energy will trickle down to everyone. It’s about creating a culture that starts within the store but spreads outward to the community. Quality is always the priority. If something isn’t perfect, it doesn’t leave the window.
The most important part of expanding for me was being able to create more positions and build real careers for my employees—and those are opportunities that I couldn’t offer with just one location. With more stores, I’ve been able to pay them better, offer more stability, and watch them grow into their roles. I’ve seen employees, like my district manager of 19 years, go from teenagers to leaders in the company, and now they’re thriving in careers they didn’t have access to before. Expanding wasn’t just about more locations, it was about giving these people the chance to build long-term careers, and that’s what makes it so special.
What advice do you have for women looking to own a Handel’s franchise?
I’ve never felt that being a woman was a barrier in this business. In fact, I think this is a great business for a woman. It’s community-oriented and people-focused, and women naturally excel in those areas. Not to put anyone into categories, but I believe women bring a unique, nurturing energy to this kind of work. You’re interacting with a lot of young people, and those motherly instincts naturally come out.
When I first started, I was hiring teenagers, and even though I was only a few years older than them, I felt I could really relate. I always try to connect with my employees, because I think women are good at that—especially in a business like this, where you’re not just a boss but a safe space for many of them. Over the years, I’ve seen so many kids grow up in the business, and it’s almost like raising a second family. With hundreds of employees, the majority being teenagers, I’m able to be a source of guidance and support when they need it most.
Being a woman in this franchise has been a perfect fit—it’s about creating a family atmosphere where everyone feels valued, supported, and part of something bigger. And in that sense, it’s just the perfect place for women to thrive.
What’s your favorite Handel’s flavor?
Butter Pecan is my go-to. It’s just a classic. I love the sweet and salty combo, and I tend to gravitate toward pecan flavors in general. Chocolate Pecan is another favorite, but there’s something about Butter Pecan that just hits the spot. Whenever I visit one of my stores, I always try the Butter Pecan to make sure it’s just right. It’s all about getting that perfect balance of salt, buttery flavor, and just the right amount of pecans. It’s my staple, but I do go through phases. For a while, I was obsessed with Strawberry Cheesecake, which was totally unexpected for me. And when we first bought Handel’s, my favorite was actually Lemon Ice. It became so special that my dad renamed it ‘Leigh’s Lemon Ice’ for a couple of years. That is a fun, sentimental memory for me.
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