Leadership Team

Dan Beem
President

Dan is driven to “Show our Franchisees the money!” His key responsibility is the profitability of our franchise community. In addition, he manages the preferred lender program, which is streamlining the financing process for the franchisees and has forged productive relationships with national providers to drive costs down. Dan embodies the Cold Stone Core Value of “Win as a Team” by working closely with every department on these and many other initiatives. Prior to Cold Stone, Dan gained significant experience in the food service industry, which included owning a restaurant for two years and working in executive and management positions with Planet Hollywood, TGI Fridays, Gordon Biersch Brewing Company and NASCAR. Dan attended the University of Arizona.

Favorite Ice Cream Creation: Coffee Lovers Only^® - Coffee Ice Cream with Roasted Almonds, Heath^® Bar and Caramel

Lee Knowlton
President - International

It’s Lee’s job—no, his passion—to make people happy around the world by selling the highest quality, most creative ice cream experience with passion, excellence and innovation.  Lee leads all international expansion efforts and strives to bring out the best in our partners by providing the premier support team. Delivering The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience® around the world can be a daunting task, but this industry veteran is well-suited for the challenge. In the last 25 years, Lee held executive and director positions with NASCAR Motor Speedway, T.G.I. Friday’s, and Planet Hollywood before coming to Cold Stone Creamery in January of 2003.

 Favorite Ice Cream Creation: Chocolate Devotion^™ - Chocolate Ice Cream with Brownie, Chocolate Chips and Fudge.