3 friends

3 friends, known in Finland as 3 kaveria, is a Finnish ice-cream brand owned and operated by Kolmen Kaverin Jäätelö Oy in Helsinki. The brand was created by Heikki Huotari, Ilkka Wikholm and Sauli Saarnisto after the three founders developed the idea of making ice cream in 2012. Rather than beginning with a large industrial production system, they started with a comparatively inexpensive ice-cream machine and sold their first container in February 2013. The founders also travelled to Italy to study ice-cream making, helping establish the product and production approach behind the brand. The company has emphasized the use of Finnish ingredients where possible. Its core products are sold in 500-millilitre packages, positioning the brand as a locally rooted alternative in Finland's packaged ice-cream market. The brand achieved substantial domestic recognition and was described as Finland's most popular ice-cream brand in 2017. Its growth has also included expansion beyond Finland: sales in Sweden began in January 2017 under the name Tre Vänners Glass, while German distribution followed in 2018 under the name 3 Freunde Eis. The portfolio initially centered on packaged tubs, but the company broadened its formats in 2020 by launching five ice-cream bars. This was notable because the company described itself as the first smaller Finnish ice-cream producer to introduce such a bar range. The brand therefore combines Finnish provenance, ingredient-focused product development and a relatively independent-company identity with selected international distribution. Its primary category remains ice cream, and its public brand presence is closely connected to the Finnish company Kolmen Kaverin Jäätelö Oy.

The 3 friends brand originated in Finland in 2012, when Heikki Huotari, Ilkka Wikholm and Sauli Saarnisto began developing the idea of producing their own ice cream. The founders pursued practical, small-scale experimentation rather than starting with a large factory. Production began using an ice-cream machine that cost 300 euros, and the first ice-cream container was sold in February 2013. To improve their technical knowledge, the founders attended an ice-cream-making course in Italy. The resulting business became Kolmen Kaverin Jäätelö Oy, based in Kontula, Helsinki. The company developed a brand centered on packaged ice cream, with products generally sold in 500-millilitre containers. Its product identity has included substantial use of Finnish ingredients, reinforcing the brand's domestic positioning in the Finnish market. The brand expanded internationally in stages. Swedish sales began in January 2017, using the name Tre Vänners Glass. In 2017, 3 friends was reported as Finland's most popular ice-cream brand. The company then expanded to Germany in 2018, where its products were sold under the name 3 Freunde Eis. These localized names allowed the brand to retain its association with three friends while adapting its presentation to each market. In 2020, the company broadened its product formats by launching five ice-cream bars. This represented a move beyond its established tub range and was described as a notable step for a smaller Finnish ice-cream producer. The available reference material does not identify a separate corporate parent, public listing or later ownership change; the brand remains associated with Kolmen Kaverin Jäätelö Oy.

• 2020

  Ice-cream bar launch

  [1]3 kaveriaen.wikipedia.org

  The company introduces five ice-cream bars, adding a new format to its packaged range.

• 2018

  German market entry

  [1]3 kaveriaen.wikipedia.org

  The brand expands into Germany as 3 Freunde Eis.

• 2017

  Swedish market entry

  [1]3 kaveriaen.wikipedia.org

  Sales begin in Sweden under the localized brand name Tre Vänners Glass.

• 2017

  Domestic popularity milestone

  [1]3 kaveriaen.wikipedia.org

  3 friends is reported as Finland's most popular ice-cream brand during the year.

• 2013

  First product sold

  [1]3 kaveriaen.wikipedia.org

  After beginning production with a small ice-cream machine and studying ice-cream making in Italy, the founders sell their first container in February.

• 2012

  Founders develop the ice-cream concept

  [1]3 kaveriaen.wikipedia.org

  Heikki Huotari, Ilkka Wikholm and Sauli Saarnisto conceive the business that becomes 3 friends.

A Finnish ice-cream brand built around locally rooted production, Finnish ingredients where available, and accessible packaged formats, with limited expansion into neighboring European markets.

• Packaged ice cream · 2013

  3 friends packaged ice cream

  The brand's core offering consists of packaged ice cream generally sold in 500-millilitre containers. The range is associated with Finnish production and the use of Finnish ingredients where possible. It forms the foundation of the brand's domestic presence and its international sales under localized names in Sweden and Germany.

• Ice-cream bars · 2020

  3 friends ice-cream bars

  Introduced in 2020, the bar range consists of five ice-cream bar products. The launch extended 3 friends beyond its established tub format and marked a significant format expansion for the smaller Finnish producer.

• 2020

  Launch five ice-cream barsProduct launch

  Background

  The company sought to broaden a portfolio primarily known for 500-millilitre packaged ice cream.

  Action taken

  It launched five ice-cream bar products.

  Aftermath

  The launch added a new consumption format and was notable as an early bar offering from a smaller Finnish ice-cream company.

  Source

• 2018

  Enter Germany under a localized identityStrategy

  Background

  Following entry into Sweden, the company continued its international expansion.

  Action taken

  The ice cream was introduced in Germany under the name 3 Freunde Eis.

  Aftermath

  Germany became the second documented foreign market for the brand.

  Source

• 2017

  Expand into Sweden with a localized brand nameStrategy

  Background

  After establishing the brand in Finland, the company sought distribution in Sweden.

  Action taken

  It began Swedish sales in January 2017 under the name Tre Vänners Glass.

  Aftermath

  The move marked the brand's first documented international market expansion.

  Source

1. 13 kaveriaen.wikipedia.org
2. 23 friends official website3friends.com