ONE SWEET DEAL Tull family invests in The Milk Shake Factory

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Thomas Tull’s investment group has become a partner in The Milk Shake Factory and plans to open new locations and supply its ice cream.

“We are so excited, really thrilled, because the Tulls are a perfect match,” said Chris Edwards, CEO of The Milk Shake Factory (www.themilkshakefactory. “What the Tulls bring to the table along with the capital investment is technology and innovation.”

The Tull Investment Group announced Tuesday that it was partnering with the business, which is known for its hand-spun milkshakes, sundaes and gourmet chocolates. The Milk Shake Factory, which has locations on the South Side and Downtown, has been owned by the Edwards family since 1914.

“The Edwards family has built an iconic and beloved brand with The Milk Shake Factory, and our business and family ventures are proud to be a part of the next generation of its growth and opportunity,” Alba Tull, CEO of Tull Investment Group, said in a press release. She is the wife of the founder of Legendary Entertainment and minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The plan is to increase the number of locations from two to 25 in the next three years. “We are scouting several locations in the Pittsburgh area but don’t want to saturate the market here. We will mostly be looking at the Northeast region to expand,”said Mr. Edwards.

Other plans call for national expansion, the implementation of innovative technologies and a shift to farm fresh ice cream supplied by Rivendale Farm, a Tull family venture in Robinson, Washington County.