You can learn a lot growing up in a family-owned business. Bruce Reed sure did.

While his friends were out riding bikes and chasing girls, Bruce was working the nightshift at his parents’ version of the American Dream: an authentic 1950’s drive-in diner in Bridgewater, Pennsylvania.

It was during those long days that Bruce learned his father’s secrets to winning the hearts of customers – fresh ingredients, homemade cooking, generous portions, and friendly service.

Bruce loved serving people. It was like second nature. By the time he was tall enough to see the register, he could have been managing the diner.

Some 20 years later, Bruce decided to try his luck in a new setting. Ice cream.

Following family tradition, Bruce opened the first Bruster’s Ice Cream store in 1989, just blocks away from the family diner. And it wasn’t long before customers were flocking to Bruster’s for the heaping scoops of fresh homemade ice cream, freshly baked waffle cones, friendly smiling faces, and fun family atmosphere.

Bruce knew he found something special. So did his customers. And the rest, as they say, is history.