About Little O's
Our Story
Little O’s Frozen Treats is the culmination of nearly four decades of dedication to crafting exceptional frozen custard. Valerie Cranden, who owned and operated Ollie’s Frozen Custard for 23 years and worked alongside the previous owner for 10 years, partnered with Eric Karl to bring a fresh, mobile twist to their beloved custard.
Eric saw the potential for a mobile version of Ollie’s, and after almost three years of research, planning, and preparation, they decided to bring that vision to life. In October 2021, they placed a deposit for a custom trailer from Concession Nation in Deerfield Beach, FL—marking the start of a new chapter for their business. The trailer arrived in May 2022, and after making the necessary final touches, Little O’s Frozen Treats officially launched with a “soft opening” on June 2, 2022, in downtown Sycamore, facilitated by the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce. Despite a few minor hiccups, the event was a success and set the stage for what was to come!
Growth and Expansion
Our first event took place on June 11, 2022, during Malta Days, and from there, Little O’s continued to operate part-time in 2022 and 2023. During this time, Valerie focused on transitioning out of her role at Ollie’s and prepared for the next steps with Little O’s. After selling Ollie’s in June 2023, Valerie was able to fully dedicate her efforts to growing Little O’s, expanding the event calendar and operational capabilities.
In October 2023, Little O’s secured a commissary space in Sycamore, which serves as our dedicated facility for storage, operations, and a place to store both the trailer and our new food truck. While the original plan was to have our food truck ready by summer 2024, delays with our local builder led us to send the truck to the same builder who created our trailer in Florida. Though this brought its challenges, we embraced the opportunity to adapt and keep moving forward.
Our Offerings
With both our custom trailer and food truck in operation, we’re able to introduce new products and offer flexibility in service. In addition to our signature frozen custard, we offer a variety of treats, including:
- Dole Whip
- Nacho Sundaes
- Frozen Lemonades
- Slushies
- Boba
- Bottled Sodas and Water
In 2025, we’ll be expanding our menu to include:
- Custard Cookie Sandwiches
- Mini-Donuts and Mini-Donut Custard Sundaes
- Seasonal favorites such as coffee, hot chocolate, and hot apple cider
These new items will allow us to serve customers year-round, extending our service into the winter months while still offering the sweet, creamy frozen treats you love.
Our Commitment to Quality
As a separate entity from Ollie’s Frozen Custard, Little O’s is proud to continue the legacy of high-quality, hand-crafted frozen treats. While we are authorized to use the Ollie’s logo as long as we remain in operation, Little O’s operates independently from Ollie’s. For private events within a 30-mile radius of Ollie’s, events must exceed 200 guests, or written approval from Ollie’s must be obtained for Little O’s to cater the event.
Looking Ahead
We are excited to announce that for the 2025 season, Little O’s will be fully operational with both our trailer and food truck. Our trailer will cater to larger, multi-day events, while the food truck will focus on one-day events and private catering. We’re also introducing revamped catering pricing for 2025, designed to offer even more value and flexibility to our customers.
We’re now booking for the 2025 season, and with our schedule filling up fast, we encourage you to reach out soon to secure your preferred date.
Thank You for Your Support
Thank you for supporting Little O’s Frozen Treats! We can’t wait to serve you at your next event. For more information about our catering services or to inquire about having us attend a community event, please visit our website at littleosfrozentreats.com and complete our catering/event forms.
