Shelly Sun Berkowitz, founder of BrightStar Care, has made a strategic move into food franchising, leading a $6 million investment in Clementine’s Ice Cream through her growth firm Next Phase Capital, as the Missouri-based brand prepares for national expansion.
The funding round marks a turning point for the St. Louis micro creamery, known for its small-batch, chef-driven offerings, as it transitions from a regional favourite into a scalable franchise business.
Berkowitz, who built BrightStar Care into a $750 million home healthcare franchise system with more than 400 locations, is now backing founder-led consumer brands poised for growth.
“I’m thrilled to partner with Tamara and invest in Clementine’s,” said Shelly Sun Berkowitz, Founder of BrightStar Care and Founder & Managing Partner at Next Phase Capital. “I truly believe it is the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted. I’m proud to support another female entrepreneur who is creating opportunity and changing lives.”
Founded in 2015 by Tamara Keefe, Clementine’s has grown from a single neighbourhood shop into an 11-unit operation across multiple states, supported by a 25,000-square-foot production facility capable of scaling to 50 parlours.
The company plans to formally launch franchising in the second quarter of 2026, combining corporate-owned stores with franchise expansion. The strategy includes a vertically integrated supply chain and a model that shares co-pack margins with franchisees, aimed at strengthening unit economics while maintaining product quality.
“I believe the world truly needs our ice cream,” said Tamara Keefe, Founder of Clementine’s Ice Cream. “This investment opens the door to extraordinary growth possibilities. Together, we’ll be able to share our joy with even more families and neighbourhoods.”
Clementine’s differentiates itself through its “micro creamery” positioning, focusing on all-natural ingredients, low overrun for richer texture, and high butterfat content. The brand has also pioneered dairy-free offerings at scale and developed proprietary alcohol-infused flavours, helping it build a cult following.
With Berkowitz’s franchising expertise and capital backing, the brand is now aiming to expand beyond its Midwest footprint into a national concept, while also growing grocery distribution and e-commerce channels.
