On November 18, 1999 in Dallas, Texas a group of ice cream shop owners had a meeting. If it hadn't been a modern hotel meeting room, you might think that you were sitting in with a gathering of patriots representing the thirteen colonies to plan the American Revolution. Impassioned speakers described dreams of freedom while debating the merits of unity and diversity, in response to the actions announced by their franchisor one month prior regarding the future of store development and support in certain parts of the country.
The people in attendance at this meeting had experienced what they believed no small business person should have to go through. They felt the heavy hand of a franchise organization, which had perpetrated a plan to divide and destroy them. Yet they knew that, divided, they would be crushed, so they argued and bickered over their collective future. They wanted unity without complete uniformity, individuality without isolation.  That meeting went on for two grueling days, until this group of ragtag ice cream shop owners being run off by their franchisor agreed to form a new company.

In January of 2000 the group voted to become an unincorporated association which would achieve these objectives:

• To secure reliable sources of ice cream, paper goods and related items for running a chain of successful ice cream stores by using its purchasing power. 
  
• To accept no alternative to having the very best product offered in the ice cream retail environment.
  
• To build a national brand, and to assist in the coordination of individual stores advertising and marketing efforts.
  
• To investigate other potential business opportunities for its members.

In addition, they wanted the "ice cream" in the title to be their unifying element; the "and more" would symbolize the individual freedom that exists within the co-op. Members are allowed - even encouraged - to sell products other than ice cream, such as coffee, sandwiches, bagels and such.

Since that first gathering in November 1999, many hours of committee meetings took place, which these folks are proud to say have brought about considerable progress and successful results.
In May of 2000, the group agreed to change from an un-incorporated Association to a Corporation and voted to form the Association of Independent Ice Cream Retailers (AIIR).
Also in May of 2000, following a nationwide search, the Association selected its ice cream manufacturer which would supply stores with a complete line of quality ice cream and other products.
In July of 2000 the first stores took delivery of ice cream, still not sure on a name. The stores began operating with no name and each did what they thought best in terms of individual local store marketing.