Turkish ice cream market is experiencing an 'experience-oriented' transformation

Ice cream is no longer just a cooling product confined to the summer months, but has become part of a year-round social experience. The rise of quality coffee and the young generation's search for "meeting" are leading the industry towards premium venue setups. The growth momentum of the market highlights brands that blend tradition with modern gastronomy. Duran Çiftçi, Founder of Karkayalar Ice Cream, considers this transformation as a strong sign for the future of the sector.

According to IMARC Group's 2026 report, the Turkish ice cream market will have a steady growth trend over the next decade. The same report reveals that ice cream consumption is becoming increasingly common, especially in cities, and the category is constantly expanding. Innovative flavors, artisan textures and premium product diversity are cited as the main drivers of growth in the report. Particularly urban and young consumers' tendency towards "gourmet" experiences that do not compromise on quality increases the demand. This table reveals that ice cream has evolved from a classic snack into an experience-oriented category.

This transformation in the industry also clarifies the strategy of brands that combine traditional tastes with a modern sense of space. Duran Çiftçi, Founder of Karkayalar Dondurma, evaluated this movement in the premium side of the market with the following words: "The consumer is no longer buying just a product, but an experience; that's why we moved ice cream to the center of a premium place culture. The expectation of the young generation, which drives the growth of the market, is to see quality and aesthetics at the same table. We respond to this demand by combining our deep-rooted taste with a modern cafe experience that spreads at all hours of the day."

"Coffee redefines the meeting culture of the new generation"

According to Perfect Daily Grind's analysis dated 2026, coffee culture in Türkiye is rapidly transforming under the leadership of the young generation. The same study emphasizes that coffee has now become "a social space, a shared moment and a form of personal expression" for young people. The report, based on World Coffee Portal data, states that the branded coffee shop market in Türkiye has grown by 12.6 percent in the last five years and exceeded 3,800 branches. According to the data of the International Coffee Organization, coffee consumption in the country increases by an average of 15.6 percent annually. This momentum makes Türkiye one of the fastest growing branded coffee markets in Europe. Young consumers turning to filter, espresso and milk coffees are turning places into socialization centers.

Farmer interprets the transformation of coffee into a social meeting tool as evidence that ice cream follows a similar path. Stating that the young generation emphasizes aesthetics and experience in choosing a venue, Çiftçi says that this trend opens a new area for traditional tastes: "We gathered the 'meeting' meaning of coffee for young people under the same roof with the sincerity of ice cream." With this approach, Karkayalar Dondurma transforms its more than 40 branches into new generation meeting points accompanied by quality coffee. The brand aims to offer a year-round experience by combining signature flavors with a selection of third-generation coffees.

Seasonality is eliminated, ice cream spreads to every day of the year

Changing lifestyles gradually eliminate the seasonal limits of ice cream consumption. The development of the cold chain infrastructure and the diversification of retail channels make the product accessible at all times of the year. Consumption, which was once confined only to the summer months, is now spreading to the autumn and winter months. Urban consumers position ice cream as a sweet break experience accompanied by coffee rather than a cooling product. This trend strengthens hybrid concepts that bring the boundaries of cafes and ice cream parlors closer together. With the rise of the experience economy, consumers are turning to allocating their budgets to social experiences rather than "stuff". This makes premium space setups one of the most dynamic growth areas of the industry.

"We are establishing a meeting culture that carries tradition into the future"

Karkayalar Dondurma, one of Türkiye's well-established flavor brands, has a wide network throughout the country with more than 40 branches. Combining traditional signature flavors with a modern cafe approach, the brand is stepping into a new era with the "Ice Cream Cafe" concept. Duran Çiftçi, the Founder of the brand, explains this vision and future goals as follows:

"With the Ice Cream Cafe concept, we are transforming ice cream from a summer hangout into a modern social living space open 365 days a year," said Çiftçi, emphasizing that they put experience at the center of investments. The founder states that they have brought together the third generation coffee selection, brewed from beans specially roasted in the new generation branches, with the traditional flavors of the brand in the same menu. Çiftçi said that they enriched the menu with premium venue design, unseasonal snacks and special specials; He states that their goal is to expand the branch network with this concept. The founder adds that the brand will continue its growth strategy centered on aesthetics, operational quality and consumer experience in the coming period.