Ep 2. Best Served Cold

In "The Food That Built America" season 1 episode 2, titled "Best Served Cold," viewers get an inside look at the intense competition between the ice cream giants, Baskin-Robbins and Dairy Queen. The episode highlights the pivotal moments in the companies' histories, focusing on the rivalry between their founders and the ways in which they worked to outdo each other.

The episode begins by introducing the two founders: Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins of Baskin-Robbins, and John Fremont McCullough of Dairy Queen. Viewers learn about the origins of these companies and how each one grew to become a national phenomenon. The show then explores the ways in which Baskin-Robbins and Dairy Queen competed with one another, with each trying to be the first to introduce new flavors and technologies.

One of the key moments in the episode comes when Baskin-Robbins introduces their famous "31 flavors" campaign. This move set them apart from other ice cream companies and launched them to national success. However, Dairy Queen was not about to be outdone. John McCullough decided to take their competition to a new level with the introduction of the Blizzard, which became an instant hit.

Throughout the episode, viewers get a glimpse into the cutthroat world of ice cream production. The two companies constantly try to one-up each other, with each new flavor or product intended to draw in more customers. The episode also touches on the difficulty of maintaining a business as it grows. Both Baskin-Robbins and Dairy Queen faced struggles with franchisees who felt they weren't being treated fairly.

Despite the constant competition and battles between the two companies, the episode ends on a somewhat positive note. Viewers see that the rivalry ultimately led to a milestone moment in the history of the ice cream industry, as both companies pushed each other to innovate and create new products that would change the course of the industry forever.

Overall, "The Food That Built America" season 1 episode 2 offers a fascinating look at the ice cream war between Baskin-Robbins and Dairy Queen. Through interviews with experts and dramatizations of key moments in their histories, viewers gain insight into the cutthroat world of business and the lengths companies will go to in order to succeed.