Iconic Boise Ice Cream Destination Fanci Freez Up for Sale

After over 75 years of serving the community, the beloved restaurant is looking for a new owner.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:23am

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Fanci Freez, a beloved Boise institution known for its burgers, shakes, and ice cream, has been listed for sale. The restaurant has been a staple in the community for over 75 years, changing hands between several local families. The current owners, the Hawes family, are selling the business due to retirement, offering a turnkey opportunity for a new owner to take over the legacy.

Why it matters

Fanci Freez has been deeply woven into the identity of Boise for generations, serving as an iconic after-school and summer destination for families. The sale of this beloved institution represents a potential changing of the guard and raises questions about whether the new owner will maintain the restaurant's traditions and loyal customer base.

The details

Fanci Freez started as a humble soft-serve ice cream stand in 1947 and has evolved over the decades, transitioning to a full-service drive-in restaurant. The Moon family bought it in the late 1960s, the Olsen family added a drive-through in the 1980s, and the Hawes family, who own several Five Guys franchises, took over in 2017 and opened a second location in Meridian. The restaurant is now listed for sale at $699,000, with the listing highlighting the turnkey opportunity and experienced management in place.

  • Fanci Freez opened as a soft-serve ice cream stand in 1947.
  • The Moon family bought the restaurant in the late 1960s.
  • The Olsen family took over in the mid-1980s and added a drive-through.
  • The Hawes family purchased Fanci Freez in 2017 and opened a second location.
  • Fanci Freez is currently listed for sale as of January 2026.

The players

Fanci Freez

A beloved Boise institution that has been serving burgers, shakes, and ice cream to the community for over 75 years.

The Moon Family

The family that bought Fanci Freez in the late 1960s and transitioned it to a full-service drive-in restaurant.

The Olsen Family

The family that took over Fanci Freez in the mid-1980s and added a drive-through and indoor waiting area.

The Hawes Family

The current owners of Fanci Freez, who also own several Five Guys franchises. They took over the restaurant in 2017 and opened a second location in Meridian.

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What they’re saying

“Before we bought it, we didn't just come here once in a while for an ice cream cone. We lived here! So you can see how impossible it was to resist buying the place when we found out it was for sale.”

— The Moon Family

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in Boise, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Bill Hawes, Owner, Fanci Freez

What’s next

The new owner of Fanci Freez will need to decide whether to maintain the restaurant's iconic menu and traditions or make changes to appeal to a new generation of customers.

The takeaway

The sale of Fanci Freez represents a potential changing of the guard for one of Boise's most beloved and long-standing institutions. The new owner will have the opportunity to preserve the restaurant's legacy or put their own stamp on it, raising questions about whether the community's cherished memories and traditions will endure.