| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1987 in New York |
| Headquarters | Franklin, Tennessee, USA |
| Products | Frozen Desserts |
| Owner(s) | Steelpoint Capital Partners |
| Website | tastidlite.com |
Tasti D-Lite started as a New York-based company best known for its signature product, a frozen dessert comparable to, but marketed as a healthier alternative to soft serve ice cream. The company operates a system of franchise chain stores from which its products are sold in trademark blue paper cups. The stores are predominantly located in New York state, although the company's corporate headquarters are now in Tennessee.
The treat has attained widespread popularity since its 1987 creation, at least partly due to aggressive advertising claiming extremely low calorie and fat content. In 2002, published studies [1] found that the company may have greatly exaggerated claims of its product's healthfulness. Tasti D-Lite subsequently implemented an overrun compliance program and settled the nutritional claims matter with the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs.[2]
In 2004, the popularity of Tasti D-Lite was bolstered as a result of appearances in episodes of HBO’s Sex and the City season 6 episode 88 [3] and The Apprentice season 2 episode 18 [4]
Tasti D-Lite was acquired in 2007 by NY-based private equity group SPG Partners LLC [5] and announced that James H. Amos, one of the firm's operating partners, will serve as Chief Executive Officer of Tasti D-Lite. The new company would be headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee. [6]
A redesigned website was launched in 2007 listing nutritional information for over 100 flavors. [7] Tasti D-Lite announced in 2008 that it will begin a franchise offering to facilitate the growth of the brand to markets both domestic and international. [8] Subsequently, a majority of the original licensed stores signed agreements to convert to the franchise model. [9] Also in 2008, the first international development agreement was signed for South Korea. [10]
Contents |
Banana, Butter Praline, Caramel, Carrot Cake, Cherry Cake, Chiffon Mint, Coconut Cookies, Coffee Cake, Coffee Crunch, Coffee 'n Cream, Coffee Toffee, Crème Brûlée, Creamsicle, Egg Nog, Pistachio, Pumpkin Pie, White Russian
(70 calories per serving)
Angel Food Cake, Apple Pie, Banana Crunch, Banana Fudge, Banana Pudding, Bananas Foster, Black Cherry, Black Forest Cake, Black Raspberry, Brownies, Butter Pecan, Buttercrunch Mania, Butterscotch, Butterscotch Fudge, Cake Batter, Cappuccino, Caramel Apple, Caramel Fudge, Chocolate Chip Mint, Chocolate Cookie Dough, Chocolate Macaroon, Chocolate Mousse, Coconut Candy, Coconut Coffee Bean, Coconut Joy, Coconut Mounds, Coffee Crumb, Coffee Espresso, Cookies 'n Cream, Creamy Coconut, Double Berry, Dutch Chocolate, French Custard, French Vanilla, Kahlua 'n Cream, Latte, Mango Dream, Maple, Marzipan, Mocha Almond Fudge, Mochaccino, Mudpie, Oreo Chocolate Mint, Oreo Mint, Oreos 'n Cream, Oreos 'n Peanut Butter, Papaya, Peach Melba, Peach Pie, Peanut Butter Dream, Pecan Praline, Pecan Praline Fudge, Piña Colada, Pineapple Cake, Praline Crunch, Raspberry Chocolate Truffle, Raspberry D-Lite, Rice Pudding, Rocky Road, Samoa Cookie, S'mores, Strawberry Banana, Strawberry Colada, Strawberry D-Lite, Strawberry Shortcake, Tapioca Pudding, Tasti Garcia, Tasti Musketeers, Toasted Almond Fudge, Toasted Coconut, Trés Leches, Triple Berry, Tropical D-Lite, Vanilla Cream, Vanilla Marshmallow, Wild Berry
(80 calories per serving)
Blueberry Cheesecake, Brownie Batter, Burnt Sugar, Chocolate Marshmallow, Chocolate Pudding, Chocoleche, Devil's Food Cake, Double Dutch Chocolate, Dulce de Leche, Fluffernutter, German Chocolate Cake, Honey Nuts O's, Latte Fudge, Maple Fudge, Marble Cheesecake, Milky "Weigh", NY Cheesecake, O'Tasti, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Cup, Peanut Butter Fudge, Peanut Butter Marble, Peanut Butter 'n Jelly, Raspberry Cheesecake, Red Velvet Cake, Snicker, Strawberry Cheesecake, Tart 'N Tasti
(90 calories per serving)
Buttercrunch, Cinnamon Crunch, Fluffernutter Fudge, Peanut Butter Cake, Peanut Butter Mounds, Pineapple Cheesecake
(100 calories per serving)
Tasti D-Lite products are made from two different dairy-based mixes, upon which additional flavors can be added.
The vanilla dairy base is made with: water, nonfat milk, sugar, corn syrup, cream, guar gum, locust bean gum, carrageenan, vanilla, and lactase.
The chocolate dairy base, used for chocolate flavors, replaces vanilla with chocolate and is made with: water, nonfat milk, sugar, corn syrup, cream, cocoa (processed with alkali), guar gum, locust bean gum, carrageenan, and lactase. [11]