Doughlicious Receives Investment from Future Back Ventures by Bain & Company

London-based better-for-you cookie dough brand Doughlicious The London Dough Co. has received an investment from Future Back Ventures (FBV) by Bain & Company to fuel its continued U.S. expansion. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Doughlicious is a standout example of a purpose-driven, high-growth brand disrupting a traditional category with creativity, innovation and integrity. We’re thrilled to support the Doughlicious team as they bring joy and quality to consumers worldwide,” said Anne Scott-Plante, the head of FBV, in a statement.

FBV invests in “high-potential” businesses founded or led by former Bain & Company professionals. Dan Bricken, co-founder and CFO of Doughlicious, served as a consultant at Bain & Company from 1995 to 1998.

“It’s incredibly humbling to receive the support of FBV. Bain & Company has played such an important role in my professional journey, and I’m thrilled to have them involved. Their belief in Doughlicious and our mission to reimagine cookie dough as a modern, feel-good indulgence is both personally meaningful and exciting for what’s ahead,” said Bricken in a press release.

Launched in the U.K. in 2017, Doughlicious produces a portfolio of Frozen Cookie Dough Gelato Bites – frozen gelato wrapped in gluten-free cookie dough and dusted with cookie crumbs – and Cookie Dough Skillets.

The company crossed the pond for a stateside debut at Whole Foods Market in 2023 to redefine indulgence in the novelty aisle. The move – supported by a £3.5 million investment from Triple B – included 185 Whole Foods stores across the Northeast, Southwest, Rocky Mountains and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Several months after the debut, Doughlicious expanded nationally with the grocery chain, seeking to “become as ubiquitous as leading frozen novelties.” The brand’s U.S. retail partners also include Target, Wegmans, Gopuff and, its most recent addition, Kroger.

In August, the company raised a $5 million round led by Rich Products Ventures, the investment arm of family-owned food company Rich’s, and private investor collective The Angel Group. The company planned to use the capital to start manufacturing in the United States, in part to offset tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration.

Growth in the U.S. ice cream market has stabilized amid inflation and economic uncertainty, according to a recent Mintel report. The frozen novelties segment now leads the market, which is expected to grow 10% in the foreseeable future, driven by innovation in product formats and flavors.

“Frozen treats satisfy cravings at the core, and modernizing shopping habits suggest a craving for more intentional, in-the-moment purchasing and consumption,” said Kelsey Gilard, senior food and drink analyst at Mintel, in the report.