Tempest in a Cone

A line of liqueur-laced flavors launched recently by Baskin-Robbins has received a chilly reception from some of the Glendale company’s local competitors.

Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Co., a subsidiary of Allied-Lyons of London, called the four flavors in its International Creams line “a heightened taste sensation never before experienced by ice cream lovers.” The company is spending $5 million, a company record, to advertise the flavors, called Grand Marnier, Almond Amaretto, Chocolate Raspberry Truffle and Cappuccino Chip.

Now, some of Baskin-Robbins’ small competitors are objecting to the company’s claims that the flavors are unique.

Robin Rose, for one, said she has been making “adult” ice creams since 1981, including some with names that are very similar to those chosen by Baskin-Robbins.

Rose, who now has six stores in Los Angeles called Robin Rose Ice Cream & Chocolate, sells flavors called Raspberry Chocolate Truffle and Amaretto & Almond, among others.

“The move is clearly an attempt to take my concept and market it as their own,” Rose said. “Business is no longer fun for me because of what they’ve done,” she said.

Similarly, Syd Backman, owner of O’Reilly’s & Napoli Ice Creams in Westwood, said that he has been making liqueur ice creams for four years and now has 45 such flavors out of a total of 120 ice creams.

“They’re saying they’re unique and they’re not unique when there are other people who are doing the same thing and doing it better,” Backman said.

Baskin-Robbins last year sued Haagen-Dazs over the use of the name Pralines & Cream. One of Baskin-Robbins’ most popular flavors is Pralines ‘N Cream, a registered trademark. Baskin-Robbins lost that suit, but is appealing it.

“There is nothing new in the world of liqueur ice cream . . . but we feel ours is a combination of creativity and style and is just a whole new line,” said Marilyn Novak, a Baskin-Robbins spokeswoman.

“There are a lot of small ice cream manufacturers that have a lot of flavors and eventually you’re going to come out with a flavor” that is very similar, she said. Novak noted that Baskin-Robbins still contends that theirs is “a heightened taste sensation never before experienced by ice cream lovers,” adding that “I’m sure they (Baskin-Robbins’ competitors) feel the same way about their product.”