Topeka, Kansas, October 23, 2025
Braum’s
Braum’s is a renowned ice cream and fast-food restaurant chain originating in Oklahoma. The company was founded by Bill Braum in 1968 with the opening of its first store in Oklahoma City, after a history that includes ownership of Peter Pan Ice Cream stores in the 1950s and a ten-year prohibition on selling ice cream in Kansas. Braum’s is known for its fresh dairy and beef products, sourced from their own family farm in Tuttle, Oklahoma, spanning 10,000 acres. The chain operates 25 locations across Kansas, with plans for expansion into Topeka and Lawrence. Braum’s maintains a unique business model by owning and operating all locations directly, emphasizing quality and freshness in its menu offerings.
News Summary
Braum’s, the well-known ice cream and burger chain based in Oklahoma, has announced plans to open multiple new locations in Topeka, Kansas. With commercial demolition permits issued for two sites, the company has purchased three properties but has not yet provided a timeline for these openings. Despite interest in Kansas City, Braum’s has no immediate expansion plans in that area. Currently, they operate 25 locations across Kansas.
Topeka, Kansas – Braum’s, the popular Oklahoma-based ice cream shop and burger joint, has announced plans to open multiple locations in Topeka, Kansas. The company has recently purchased three properties in the city, although there is currently no clear timeline for their opening. Amanda Beuchaw, Braum’s public relations director, indicated that the company is in the process of clearing the sites in Topeka.
The city of Topeka has issued commercial demolition permits for two of the future Braum’s locations: one at 1241 SW Gage Blvd., which was formerly a Wendy’s restaurant, and the other at 700 SW Topeka Blvd.. Despite the excitement surrounding these new openings, many residents of the Kansas City metro area who have long regarded Braum’s as a coveted road trip destination will have to wait, as the company has no immediate plans to expand into Kansas City.
Braum’s currently operates 25 locations across Kansas, with the most concentrated in Wichita, where there are 12 locations. Emporia and Salina each have two locations. Commuter-friendly towns like Hutchinson, Newton, and Andover also boast a single Braum’s outlet. The chain is noted for sourcing its dairy and beef products from its own family farm situated in Tuttle, Oklahoma, which spans 10,000 acres. This ensures product freshness due to strict distance guidelines. Recently, the company extended its maximum distance for potential new store locations from 300 miles to 330 miles from Tuttle, making the Kansas City area approximately 360 miles away—beyond their stipulated distance.
Although there is apparent interest in the Kansas City market, Beuchaw confirmed that the city is not presently on Braum’s expansion radar. The company has also faced delays in opening a new location in Lawrence, Kansas, where a property was acquired in 2023. Similar to Topeka, there is no definitive timeline for the opening of the Lawrence store. Plans for this store include a 6,152 square-feet property located at the northeast corner of Sixth Street and Entrada Drive, near Rock Chalk Park, complete with 64 parking spots.
Historically, the company operated a chain of ice cream stores called Peter Pan Ice Cream during the 1950s, but its operations in Kansas faced a significant setback when they were prohibited from selling ice cream in the state for ten years following the sale of the chain. It wasn’t until 1968 that Bill Braum opened the first Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Store in Oklahoma City, marking the beginning of a successful restaurant empire. Currently, Braum’s menu features a variety of offerings, including hamburgers, sundaes, banana splits, as well as fresh meat and produce.
Braum’s maintains a unique business model by not franchising its locations, with all stores owned and operated directly by the Braum family. Along with the planned openings in Topeka and Lawrence, there has been speculation about further commercial developments in Lawrence that may attract additional retailers following Braum’s establishment in the area.
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Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Braum’s Plans Expansion into Topeka, Kansas
Additional Resources
- CJ Online: Braum’s Ice Cream Purchases Properties in Topeka
- Wikipedia: Braum’s
- KSNT: Braum’s Cleaning Up Sites in Topeka
- Google Search: Braum’s Topeka expansion
- Lawrence Journal-World: Plans for Braum’s in Lawrence
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ice Cream
- Kansas.com: Dining with Denise Neil
- Google News: Braum’s Lawrence expansion
- Lawrence Times: Braum’s Plans Filed
- The Oklahoman: iShowSpeed in Oklahoma
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
