Aramark – Blue Ice Machines at
Merlin Theme Parks
Scobie McIntosh supports Aramark with high-capacity soft-serve machines at top UK attractions
Introduction
Merlin Entertainment’s theme parks welcome millions of visitors each year, especially during peak summer months.
To meet the surge in demand, Aramark, Merlin’s food and beverage partner, required high-performance soft-serve ice cream machines that could deliver quality, speed and reliability.
Drawing on our longstanding relationship with Aramark, Scobie McIntosh identified and supplied a solution that matched their operational needs: the BlueIce T36.
The Clients: Aramark & Merlin Entertainment’s
Aramark, a leading food service partner with a reputation for driving world-class hospitality programmes, manages the food and beverage operations across Merlin’s major UK attractions: Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor, Thorpe Park, and Chessington World of Adventures.
These are some of the UK’s busiest leisure destinations, where F&B operations must withstand high footfall, time-sensitive service, and intense seasonal pressures. Scobie McIntosh has supported Aramark for over a decade with a variety of foodservice and vending solutions, including equipment supply and service across multiple sites.
This long-term collaboration enables us to act as a knowledgeable and trusted partner, helping Aramark identify and access
the right solutions for each location.
The Challenge
Merlin’s sites required soft-serve freezer equipment that could:
- Handle large volumes with minimal downtime
- Fit into existing counter space without structural changes
- Be easy for seasonal staff to operate and clean
- Perform reliably throughout the summer peak
Our Recommendation
Scobie McIntosh recommended the Blue Ice T36, a high-quality, high-output tabletop soft- serve machine. Designed for extremely high-volume environments, this powerful and versatile model can serve ice cream, frozen yogurt, milkshakes or sorbet. With a patented high efficiency heat exchanger which allows fast freeze down with low energy consumption, the T36 delivers 420 servings per hour, making it ideal for theme park environments.
Its user-friendly interface, fast dispense rate and quick refreeze feature ensured it met both operational and customer experience goals. We worked closely with Taylor Flanagan, Key Accounts Advisor at Blue Ice, to manage the commercial supply process. Installation and training were provided by Blue Ice, who ensured each unit was commissioned and handed over ready for service.
The Manufacturer
Blue Ice is a UK-based manufacturer of premium soft-serve, frozen yoghurt, milkshake and slush machines. Known for their compact design and high-volume output, their range is tailored for fast-paced retail and hospitality environments. In addition to ice cream, Blue Ice also offers bean-to-cup coffee machine and frozen drinks equipment.
Trusted Relationships
This project further strengthens Scobie McIntosh’s position as a trusted advisor to both Aramark and Blue Ice. Beyond soft-serve solutions, we continue to assist Aramark across various Merlin locations with vending and catering equipment.
We are also working with Blue Ice on the supply and support of their growing coffee machine range.
Conclusion
By recommending and supplying the Blue Ice T36, Scobie McIntosh helped Aramark meet the demands of Merlin’s busiest parks with equipment that’s built for performance.
This collaboration reflects our ability to understand client needs, partner with manufacturers, and deliver solutions that perform where it matters most.
Client: Aramark UK
End-User: Merlin Entertainments Theme Parks
Supplier Partner: Blue Ice
Recommended Solution: Blue Ice T36 Soft Serve Machines
