Feb. 28, 2025

Saturday, the first day of March, will bring the initial openings for B&G Milkyway locations.

This season also will bring the first B&G outside of the Sioux Falls area, with a new franchise in Mitchell selling the locally based chain’s soft-serve ice cream, Avalanches, other frozen treats and a food menu that includes items like footlong chili dogs, sloppy joes, walking tacos, chicken sandwiches and nachos.

The new franchisees are Amy and Allen Lepke, who also own the Papa Murphy’s franchise in Mitchell, said Bruce Bettmeng who owns two B&G sites in Sioux Falls and sells the franchises for the other ones. They’ve gutted the former site of another ice cream shop, Zesto on Sanborn Boulevard, and are remodeling it with Bettmeng’s help. They’re hoping to open in mid- to late March, he said.

That will bring the total count for B&G to 10, which has been adding locations every couple of years recently.

“We’ve got some looky-loos out there in other area towns,” Bettmeng said of future growth.

Bettmeng has been doing his own remodeling work for this season, adding an actual drive-thru window to the West 41st Street location rather than the makeshift one he installed during the pandemic when he closed the lobby. He’s hoping to add a drive-thru ordering board and system this summer, but until then will continue to have an employee with a tablet stationed outside during busy times to take orders.

New to the menu this year are slush floats in 10 flavors.

Later this summer, the Avalanche Battle will be back for a second year. Last year, each location crafted a unique flavor, and customers voted for their favorite. The Sycamore Avenue location was the inaugural champion with its Salted Nut Roll entry. This year’s contest will run from the beginning of August through Labor Day.

Here are the opening dates or time frame for each B&G Milkyway location:

• 69th & Cliff: Saturday
• 69th & Louise: Saturday
• East 41st Street near Harmodon Park: Saturday
• Sycamore Avenue: Monday
• West 41st Street: Tuesday
• Harrisburg: March 10
• Tea: March 10
• Brandon: March 12
• Mitchell: Mid- to late March, depending on remodeling
• West 12th Street: Beginning of April