We recently connected with Edward Fregoso and have shared our conversation below.

Edward, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Although we didn’t open untill 2019, the idea for The Meltdown started to take shape in 2017, but the seed was planted even earlier. I’ve always been drawn to how food brings people together, especially ice cream. It’s timeless, nostalgic, and almost always associated with happiness. In 2017, I started noticing that while ice cream trucks were around, they didn’t seem to offer the personal, elevated experience I imagined. I saw an opportunity to combine the fun of an ice cream truck with the quality and creativity that often lacked in the food truck world. It wasn’t just about selling ice cream. I wanted to serve more than a product. I wanted to deliver an experience people would talk about long after The Meltdown was gone. I knew this could work because of the universal appeal of ice cream, but what made me feel like it was worthwhile was how customizable and adaptable the concept could be. I wanted to solve the problem of bringing high quality ice cream with a personal touch to an environment that could cater intimate gatherings and large parties. No one else seemed to be doing that.

Edward, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Edward Fregoso, the founder of The Meltdown, a Colorado Springs based ice cream company that I launched in 2019. Our business consists of an ice cream food truck, Three Ice cream Carts and a new Ice cream bike! We cater to events of all sizes with one goal in mind: serving up smiles with every scoop! I’ve always had a deep love for food and community, and ice cream felt like the perfect intersection of the two. It’s one of those universally beloved treats that brings people together, no matter the occasion.

I’ve always been passionate about creating memorable experiences, but my journey into the ice cream business began with a simple realization. There was a gap in the market for high-quality, artisanal ice cream served in a fun, accessible way. I saw an opportunity to combine that with my passion for creating meaningful, joy-filled experiences, and that’s how The Meltdown was born. My background wasn’t originally in food service, but I knew that with the right team and a commitment to quality, I could build something special.

We tell everyone “we an ice cream shop on wheels”. From public & private parties to corporate events and weddings, our truck is ready for any size event. We offer everything from classic cones to customizable ice cream sandwiches, milkshakes, and any any other unique creations you can think of!

What sets The Meltdown apart is our commitment to community and quality. First, we’re more than just an ice cream truck. We’ve built a brand around giving back to our local community in Colorado Springs. Whether it’s working with local hospitals to serve healthcare workers or teaming up with non-profits for special events, we always find ways to contribute. This year, we even launched our own reading rewards program!

If there’s one thing I want potential clients to know, it’s that The Meltdown is here to create experiences, not just serve ice cream. We understand that your event is special, and we want to make sure that what we provide adds to that experience in a meaningful way. Whether it’s a small gathering or a large celebration, we’ll work with you to make sure our ice cream becomes a highlight.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Running a small business comes with its ups and downs, but nothing could have prepared me for the challenges that COVID brought in 2020. Before the pandemic hit, The Meltdown was growing. We had built great relationships with local organizations, and our ice cream truck was booked for various public events, corporate functions, and weddings. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, and then suddenly, it all stopped. With events canceled and gatherings restricted, we found ourselves facing a massive downturn. Our business model relied on bringing people together, and suddenly, that was no longer an option. It felt like the ground was pulled out from under us, and there were moments where I wasn’t sure if we’d survive. But I knew I couldn’t let it end there. Resilience, for me, meant pivoting quickly and rethinking how we could serve our community in new ways. Since large events were no longer happening, we started offering curbside services and deliveries. I also partnered with local hospitals and businesses that were still operating under safety restrictions. One of our proudest moments during this time was serving healthcare workers who were on the front lines. In the midst of uncertainty, being able to deliver a moment of joy through our ice cream was incredibly fulfilling.

Any advice for managing a team?

As the business owner, I believe it’s essential to model the behavior I want to see in my team. Whether it’s going the extra mile for a customer or staying calm under pressure during a busy event, I try to set the tone with my actions. If the team sees that I’m fully invested and passionate about what I do, it inspires them to give their best as well. Easier said than done!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://therealmeltdown.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialmeltdown/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meltdowncolorado
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-meltdown-colorado-springs
• Other: Check out our video with youtuber Matthew Beem, where he breaks the world record for Largest Ice Cream Cone! Over 3.8 Million views!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40JAEwcSJpQ