There’s a quiet revolution happening in the small Ontario town of Markdale, and it’s all about ice cream. Chapman’s, Canada’s largest independent—and family-run—ice cream manufacturer, is making headlines with a bold $200 million expansion at its already sprawling Markdale property. The company, which has long been a staple in Canadian freezers, is poised to become the largest single-site ice cream producer in North America, thanks to a new 175,000 square-foot facility expected to come online by summer 2026. The announcement, made on September 21, 2025, has sent ripples through both the local community and the broader Canadian agri-food sector.
According to the Government of Ontario, this investment is about more than just churning out more frozen treats. It’s a strategic move to increase Chapman’s production capacity, develop new products, and meet growing domestic demand—while also setting the stage for international expansion. The expansion is projected to create over 200 new jobs, pushing Chapman’s workforce past the 1,000-employee mark, with expectations to reach as high as 1,200 employees during peak seasons when student workers join the ranks. As Premier Doug Ford put it, “I’m thrilled to welcome Chapman’s latest investment in Ontario, which is a major vote of confidence in our province’s economy and workers. We’re going to continue doing whatever it takes to protect workers by cutting red tape and making Ontario the most competitive place in the G7 to invest and create jobs.”
For Markdale, a town known for its single traffic light and tight-knit community, the Chapman family’s commitment is nothing short of transformative. The company already operates two facilities in town—one of which is strictly peanut and nut-free. The new addition will be Chapman’s third production site, and it’s set to significantly expand the company’s allergy-friendly product lines. "All I can say at this point is that it will make new products that Canada has never seen, so we’re quite excited about that," said Ashley Chapman, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, during a recent press conference reported by the Toronto Sun.
The Ontario government is backing the project with a $27 million investment through the Invest Ontario Fund. This partnership underscores the province’s broader strategy to strengthen its agri-food sector, which supports one in nine jobs and generates more than $51 billion in GDP. Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, emphasized the significance of the move: “We are thrilled to see Chapman’s expand their Canadian roots and deliver innovative, high-quality Ontario-made products to families here and around the world.”
But the context for Chapman’s expansion goes beyond simple business growth. It comes at a time of global economic uncertainty and ongoing trade tensions with the United States. When former U.S. President Donald Trump launched a trade war and imposed tariffs on Canadian goods, Chapman’s responded by shifting its ingredient sourcing away from the U.S.—even if it meant absorbing higher costs. "We’ve got to get rid of the uncertainty in our business, and unfortunately, sourcing anything from the United States equals uncertainty under Trump. So, we’re resourcing, we’re talking to companies about doing some major changes and giving a lot more business to Canadian firms instead of American," Ashley Chapman explained, as cited by the Toronto Sun.
This strategic “decoupling” from American suppliers dovetailed with a surge in patriotic consumer sentiment. The “buy-Canadian” movement took off in supermarkets, and Chapman’s saw month-over-month record sales starting in March 2025. "Since March, we’ve seen month-over-month record sales. So, Canadians are really picking up this anti-American sentiment, and that couldn’t be better for Chapman’s Ice Cream right now," said Chapman. The company’s ice cream, made exclusively with Canadian milk and cream, is now a point of pride for both the business and its customers.
The new facility isn’t just about quantity; it’s about innovation. Chapman’s intends to use the expanded space to develop new product lines, including allergy-friendly options and entirely new treats that haven’t yet been seen in Canada. The company’s current facilities are operating near capacity, so the new building will be a game-changer in terms of flexibility and creativity. "This expansion comes at a critical time for Chapman’s. The competition from multinationals has only increased in recent years and this project will help us to establish a stronger competitive ground," Ashley Chapman told the Government of Ontario. The family’s ambitions don’t stop there. "We’ve got a plan for expanding all of our facilities in the next five years. So, it won’t be too far away until even the multi-site manufacturers won’t be able to compare to what we have in Markdale," Chapman added.
With the new plant, Chapman’s will also be poised to look beyond Canadian borders. While the focus remains on growing domestic sales, international markets are on the horizon. "We’re building for Canadian sales. There’s a lot more we can do in the Canadian marketplace for years to come. And, it’s just overall, we would like to get into a position in the next few years as we bring this facility online to start looking further afield. It’s just not fair that we hog the best ice cream in the world in Canada. We need to share it with the world," said Chapman, hinting at the company’s global ambitions.
The scale of the new facility is impressive by any measure. With the addition, Chapman’s will become the largest single-site ice cream manufacturer in North America. This milestone didn’t go unnoticed by industry partners. "It’s really quite shocking, to be honest with you. We really don’t think in those terms, but it was actually one of our equipment suppliers who does a lot of business in the States, and he was asking me, well, how many square feet will you have now," Chapman recalled. "He said, ‘Sweet Jesus, you’re going to be the biggest.'"
Behind the headlines, the expansion represents a blend of resilience, innovation, and community spirit. Chapman’s has weathered global trade storms, responded to consumer sentiment, and invested in both people and products. The provincial government’s support reflects a recognition that homegrown companies like Chapman’s are vital to Ontario’s economic future, especially when international markets grow unpredictable.
As the new facility takes shape and the summer of 2026 approaches, the people of Markdale—and ice cream lovers across Canada—have plenty to look forward to. With plans for further growth and an eye on the world stage, Chapman’s is making sure the best of Canadian ice cream isn’t just a local secret anymore.