Food Manufacturing Case Study

Who is Flavor Burst? 

Flavor Burst is a family-owned company based in central Indiana, known worldwide for its unique flavoring systems for frozen beverages and desserts. The company manufactures equipment that attaches directly to soft-serve, shake, slush, or frozen cocktail machines, transforming a simple dispenser into a multi-flavor experience. A single spout can suddenly deliver eight flavors, layered or blended, giving food service operators unlimited menu options without requiring extra space. 

The business began in the late 1980s when Ernest Gerber, a salesman with an engineering background, took his family to McDonald’s. One Sunday, his daughter wanted an ice cream sundae in a cone. He explained it wasn’t possible—until he started wondering why not? That question turned into sketches, tinkering in the garage, and partnerships with syrup formulators. By 1989, Flavor Burst had secured a patent, and Ernest’s sons, Tim and Tom, joined him in growing the business. Over the years, the product line expanded from soft-serve to shakes, slushes, and even frozen cocktails.

Today, Flavor Burst has fewer than two dozen employees but distributes equipment worldwide through Taylor Distributors, reaching fast-food restaurants, convenience stores, food trucks, and even McDonald’s locations in China and the Middle East. In this food manufacturing case study, we aim to tell you the full story!

What Was Life Like Before Cazbah? 

For much of its history, Flavor Burst operated without a formal marketing department. Marketing meant posters, banners, and physical point-of-sale materials. When the digital era arrived, the company adapted slowly. Angie Gouge, who started as a graphic artist, suddenly found herself responsible for everything from manuals to websites. As she put it, “Since it’s just me in the marketing chair and directing chair and graphics department, we needed some help”. 

While distributors handled local sales, Flavor Burst still needed visibility to support those distributors and connect with shop owners. SEO, website optimization, and digital outreach were outside Angie’s expertise—and learning them would mean taking valuable time away from her core role.

Why Cazbah? 

When choosing a partner, Flavor Burst wasn’t just shopping for technical expertise. Chemistry mattered. “You guys are a family business as well. You kind of know what that’s like. And that was important to us,” Angie explained. 

Beyond cultural alignment, Cazbah provided: 

• Expertise in SEO, backend optimization, and a review of GA4 Analytics. 
• A redesigned, easy-to-navigate website that reflected the “fun spirit” of frozen treats that attracts ice cream shops and end customers alike. 
• Custom support, including help navigating new hosting requirements after Flavor Burst was acquired by Middleby in 2023 and continued support through 2025. 

Even after the website was migrated off Cazbah’s servers, the team continued to troubleshoot and resolve issues quickly. Responsiveness and trust cemented the relationship. 

What Changed After Partnering with Cazbah? 

The impact was clear. Flavor Burst saw a steady uptick in website traffic, particularly in the busy summer months. Seasonal dips were expected, but the overall trend was upward. Importantly, new features created real value. 

One example was the Flavor Burst Finder Map, which allowed customers to locate shops serving Flavor Burst products. For a company that doesn’t sell directly to consumers and often loses visibility when equipment is resold, the map bridged a critical gap. “The map has been wonderful in helping people locate places that have Flavor Burst,” Angie said. The map gets a lot of traffic attracted to the website and helping promote the Flavor Burst brand to the “end customer” who is looking for innovative ice cream creations. 

SEO optimization was another turning point. Angie participates with in monthly check-ins with her IMC, Kennedy, to review visibility into traffic ebbs and flows, reinforcing that their efforts were working. The content team uploads blog posts monthly to keep the site “fresh” and leave the “end customer” and ice cream shops alike with something to read. When Middleby requested stronger SEO integration and cross-linking with distributor sites, Cazbah’s groundwork made the transition seamless.

Goals, Measurement, and ROI 

At first, Flavor Burst didn’t set formal metrics, largely because they had no baseline. But clear goals emerged: 

• Connect more directly with distributors, shop owners, and end customers.
• Increase traffic to the website and improve branded keywords for Flavor Burst.
• Channel qualified leads toward distributors, who manage pricing and sales. 

Traffic data provided reassurance. Visitors going to the “Who’s My Distributor?” page indicated real buying interest. That shift alone demonstrated the site was working as intended. 

When asked about ROI, Angie was direct: “If we weren’t with you guys, we would have to either hire additional staff or go with a much bigger company to handle the needs that we have. Our budget is really tight being a small company, so it definitely has been a good value for us”. The company has renewed three times, a testament to both trust and tangible results. 

Technology, Process, and People 

Partnering with Cazbah relieved pressure from internal staff. Instead of juggling SEO, analytics, and backend fixes, Angie could focus on her core responsibilities. Cazbah’s systems created: 

• A clear process for handling SEO and backend checks 
• Consistent, collaborative content development for social media and email marketing
• Support during transitions, such as Middleby’s acquisition requirements 

Issues, when they arose, were resolved quickly. Even unexpected complications, like sudden Google algorithm changes, were met with fast explanations and fixes. “I don’t feel like we’ve missed a beat,” Angie said. 

What Was the Biggest Benefit?

For Flavor Burst, the standout win was SEO. The company had little internal knowledge in this area, but Cazbah delivered measurable improvements and transparency through reporting. That foundation strengthened not only the company’s digital presence but also its credibility with its new parent company. 

Second to SEO was the website redesign. By making the site visually appealing and easy to navigate, Cazbah helped Flavor Burst reflect its fun, flavor-rich brand identity. Customers browsing online could immediately connect the product’s uniqueness with the joy of frozen treats. 

Core Values in Action 

Trust was a recurring theme. Angie emphasized that Cazbah had “met and exceeded expectations.” She couldn’t recall a time when Cazbah fell short. Edits and social media suggestions were always reviewed before posting, errors were avoided, and any surprises in analytics were quickly explained and corrected. 

That level of responsiveness reinforced Cazbah’s values of integrity and accountability—critical qualities for a small, family-run business navigating growth and acquisition. 

Final Reflections on This Food Manufacturing Case Study

Flavor Burst’s story is one of innovation, family legacy, and adaptation. From a Sunday ice cream cone at McDonald’s to global distribution through Taylor, the company has always thrived on creativity and problem-solving. Yet, in today’s digital landscape, even the most inventive product needs visibility. 

Cazbah provided that visibility. Through SEO, website optimization, and ongoing support, Flavor Burst gained confidence that its brand could be found and trusted online. The partnership freed Angie to focus on creativity, while ensuring that distributors and end customers stayed connected to the brand. 

As Angie summed it up: “We’re very happy with the business that we’ve seen and definitely happy with the relationships that your team has made with us. It’s been good.”

If this food manufacturing case study speaks to you, read the full document below! Reach out to our team to learn how we can do the same for your food manufacturing business.