Starbucks Has Dreyer’s Over for Dessert

Starbucks Coffee Co. and Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. on Tuesday announced a 20-year, 50-50 joint venture to create a line of premium coffee ice creams.

The ice cream, which will carry just the Starbucks name, will be introduced nationwide in the spring as a line of six to eight coffee-based flavors.

The Seattle-based coffee roaster and retailer said the move from boiling-hot coffee to freezing-cold dessert will not be a stretch.

“Our entry into the premium ice cream category is a natural extension of our brand-building strategy and represents a significant step toward our goal of becoming the most recognized and respected brand of coffee in the world,” said Howard Schultz, chairman and chief executive of Starbucks.

Dreyer’s, of Oakland, sells its product under the names Edy’s and Dreyer’s.