A Scoop of History: Dinshaw’s Journey from Pre-Independence Recipe to National Brand

Ice cream is often described as a universal language of happiness,  a treat that transcends age, season, and occasion. In India, few names have become as synonymous with this joy as Dinshaw’s. For nearly a century, the brand has been serving not just ice creams but memories, the kind that linger long after the last bite.

But Dinshaw’s story isn’t just about dessert. It is a tale of resilience, enterprise, and a family’s determination to preserve a recipe that began in their own kitchen in Nagpur in 1932, when India itself was still under British rule. From roaming the British cantonment with hand-churned ice cream to building one of India’s most trusted dairy and food brands, Dinshaw’s represents the sweet spot where history meets entrepreneurship. It is a story of how a humble family recipe became a legacy, how a regional player grew into a national contender, and how a brand born in colonial India continues to reinvent itself for modern consumers.

Origins: A Kitchen in 1932

Dinshaw traces its roots back to 1932, when brothers Dinshaw and Erachshaw Rana began a small dairy operation in Nagpur. What started as fresh milk, curd, and hand-churned ice cream made in their own home soon became a local favourite. The recipe was more than just a dessert; it was an heirloom, refined with patience and passed down through generations. At the time, making and serving ice cream wasn’t easy. Refrigeration was scarce, and ice cream was considered a luxury, often seasonal. Yet, the founders found a way to make it work. They travelled, innovated with available equipment, and slowly expanded production. The idea was simple but ambitious: bring ice cream to everyday households, not just special occasions. 

As the business grew, so did its vision. The brand expanded beyond ice cream into dairy products and eventually added bakery and namkeen to its portfolio. This wasn’t diversification for the sake of it; it was strategic. The company realised that its infrastructure for dairy sourcing, refrigeration, and cold-chain logistics could be reused across categories. This ability to hedge seasonality is the brand's greatest strength. Ice cream is often tied to summer, but milk and namkeen bring year-round demand. By spreading across categories, the company built stability while still preserving its core identity as an ice cream pioneer.

Building Scale and Infrastructure

The leap from a family recipe to a large-scale business required more than just passion. The brand invested in state-of-the-art plants in Nagpur, which became the backbone of its production. The company developed strong supply chain capabilities, sourcing locally for milk and dairy while importing select premium ingredients like chocolates for specialised products. These investments not only boosted volumes but also ensured consistency in quality,  a crucial factor in building brand trust. It was this attention to infrastructure that allowed Dinshaw’s to transition from parlour-scale production to supplying modern retail outlets across India.

The legacy brand has remained deeply rooted in its identity as a family business. Over time, it welcomed strategic partnerships to inject fresh capital and expand distribution. While such arrangements can create complexities in governance, they also give it the muscle to compete with multinational and national brands. The family’s stewardship continues to shape the company’s ethos. Heritage has remained central, even as the brand modernises its outlook to appeal to younger generations.

Market Position: Regional Stronghold, National Ambition

The brand has long been a household name across central and western India, with strongholds in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. But its ambitions don’t stop there. The brand has steadily expanded into southern and eastern markets, positioning itself as more than just a regional player. Its portfolio mix reflects a smart balance: nearly half of revenues still come from ice cream, while milk and dairy form the backbone of everyday sales.

Bakery and namkeen are smaller contributors but help keep the brand relevant across multiple occasions. The brand also operates across diverse channels,  parlours, retail outlets, modern trade, and even institutional supply, ensuring visibility and reach." I'm not sure how my ancestors got this recipe, but we started with Vanilla and it immediately was a crowd-favourite", Rana opines. He further adds, "Originally, there were only three ice-creams in the Indian market- Vanilla, Strawberry and Butterscotch or Kesar Pista", 

Rebranding for a New Generation

In 2025, this beloved ice cream brand undertook a bold rebrand. The logo, originally drawn from the founder’s handwriting, was redesigned, and packaging was given a fresh, contemporary look. "The aim was to connect with younger consumers without losing the brand’s legacy charm", says Rana. The rebrand also marked a shift in messaging. The brand began to focus less on pure indulgence and more on emotional connections, moments of joy, generosity, and togetherness. For a brand built on nostalgia, this evolution was crucial. It wasn’t about abandoning the past but about refreshing its story for a new audience. "Our namkeems are made from the finest quality. From Jeera Papad, Alu Sev to Sabudana Chivda and more, the Indian palate is well versed with these flavours", says the Director at Dinshaw's. 

A Leadership Perspective

“It’s a mix of nostalgia and indulgence,” he said with a smile. “For me, it’s the perfect representation of what Dinshaw’s stands for, classic flavours reinvented in a way that still excites people,” Rana emphasised the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation, from experimenting with health-conscious flavours to premium ice creams that compete with global brands. Yet, he was clear that authenticity and quality remain non-negotiable.

When asked his favourite ice cream, Zervin Rana says, "The Mocha Black and White is my go-to. It's my favourite ice cream and is a blast of vanilla and chocolate. I'm sure the newer generation will enjoy it". This legacy brand story mirrors India’s transformation: from colonial times to independence, from scarcity to abundance, from tradition to modernity. Every scoop of its ice cream carries a piece of that journey. As it moves forward, the brand aims to deepen its presence across India, experiment with newer formats, and strengthen its brand identity. And perhaps, every time someone unwraps that choco mocha black and white cone, they aren’t just enjoying a dessert, they’re tasting a legacy that began in a Nagpur kitchen almost a century ago.