University of Tennessee Opened New Creamery Location

The UT Creamery has expanded with a second storefront situated on the ground floor of the new Torchbearer Hall.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Desserts

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a single bowl of ice cream on a counter, evoking a new campus creamery storefront. — The University of Tennessee has expanded its campus creamery tradition by opening a second location inside Torchbearer Hall in Knoxville. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The University of Tennessee has launched a second UT Creamery location at Torchbearer Hall in Knoxville. The expansion aims to increase accessibility to the campus tradition for students living in nearby residences.

Why it matters

The new storefront brings the academic-focused creamery closer to the student population on campus. It serves as both a culinary destination and a learning hub for students studying food science.

The new creamery at 1600 Volunteer Blvd offers a rotation of 12 distinct ice cream flavors. All products are produced at the John H. McLeod Food Science Building.

The players

University of Tennessee

This public research university in Knoxville serves as the flagship campus for the Tennessee state university system.

Herbert College of Agriculture

This academic division of the university oversees the operations of the UT Creamery as part of its food science curriculum.

The details

The facility on the ground floor of Torchbearer Hall allows students within the Herbert College of Agriculture to gain hands-on production and service experience. This expansion continues the legacy of a tradition that was first established over a century ago.

The original UT Creamery first opened in 1915.
The creamery ceased operations during the 1980s.
The institution revived the creamery program in 2023.
Torchbearer Hall opened for the fall 2026 semester.
The new creamery location held its grand opening on September 29, 2026.

Culture Shift

This expansion follows the successful 2023 revival of the UT Creamery, indicating a growth in campus demand. The opening marks a continued effort to integrate historical campus traditions into modern residential life.

Students and visitors now have a convenient location to access the creamery near campus housing. The new storefront simplifies the purchasing process for those looking to enjoy the university-produced ice cream.

The takeaway

The return and expansion of the creamery highlight how universities are leveraging long-standing traditions to improve student engagement. Students benefit from both the tangible product and the academic experience of managing food production.