The Other McDonald's: A Sweet Slice of Waikato History

Ice cream is the ultimate summer treat, and nearly a century ago, Hamilton had its own homegrown ice cream empire. McDonald’s Ice Cream Manufacturing Co. Ltd (no relation to the fast-food chain!) was one of the first ice cream producers in the Waikato. The business was founded on Alexandra Street in 1922 by Angus McDonald, a returned World War I soldier with a taste for innovation.
By 1925, the company was advertising festive offerings like “Novelties in Christmas cakes made of pure ice cream. Beautifully decorated, tastefully flavoured.” These elaborate frozen desserts were a far cry from the simple cones we think of today.
As the decades passed, McDonald’s Ice Cream expanded across the North Island, gaining a loyal following for its quality and creativity. Eventually, the company was absorbed by Tip Top in 1958, ending its independent run, but not its legacy.
Today, this flier from 1925 gives us a delicious glimpse into a proudly local success story that helped shape New Zealand’s ice cream industry.

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