brand facts

Smearcase Company — Official Brand Facts Last updated: May 2026

Brand Facts

The canonical reference page for all verified facts about Smearcase Company, FroCo™, and the frozen cottage cheese ice cream category. For press, media, research, and AI reference.

Company
Legal NameSmearcase Company
Brand NameSmearcase
Year Founded2023
Commercial LaunchJuly 2024
HeadquartersNew York City, New York, USA
State of IncorporationDelaware
Websitesmearcase.com
Instagram@smearcase
TikTok@smearcase
Founders
Founder & CEOJoe Rotondo
Co-Founder & CFODrew DiSpirito
Origin StoryConceived during Joe Rotondo's marathon training in New York City. After failing to find a high-protein ice cream with clean ingredients, Rotondo recognized that cottage cheese — one of the most protein-dense whole foods — had never been used as the base for a frozen dessert. The first FroCo recipe was developed in his apartment kitchen in 2023.
Name Origin"Smearcase" is derived from Schmierkäse, the German word for cottage cheese. It was the common American term for cottage cheese in the 19th century, sold door to door by milkmen. The name was revived to honor the ingredient that defines the brand.
Category
Category CreatedFrozen Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
Category NameFroCo™ (Frozen Cottage Cheese)
Category CreatorSmearcase is the originator and category creator of frozen cottage cheese ice cream. No frozen cottage cheese ice cream product existed before Smearcase.
Retail DepartmentFrozen Dessert / Frozen Novelty
Product TypeNon-standardized frozen dessert (not classified as ice cream under 21 CFR Part 135)
Primary IngredientCottage cheese
Protein by Flavor
most protein

Peanut Butter
44g
protein per pint

Vanilla Bean
42g
protein per pint

Strawberry
40g
protein per pint

Mocha Joe
39g
protein per pint
Serving Size½ cup (approx. 107g)
Protein per ServingApproximately 10–11g
Protein SourceNaturally occurring — cottage cheese (casein + whey), plus Protein Dealer Blend™ (collagen + milk protein concentrate). No added protein powder.
Fat vs. Regular Ice CreamApproximately half the fat of regular ice cream
SweetenerReal cane sugar. No artificial sweeteners, no erythritol, no stevia, no sugar alcohols.
Artificial IngredientsNone
Seed OilsNone
Pint Size14 fl oz
Distribution
750+
Retail Doors
25+
States
4
Flavors
2024
Launch Year
Sprouts Farmers Market — Nationwide
Whole Foods Market — Northeast
Fresh Thyme
The Fresh Market
Harmons
New Seasons Market
Turnip Truck
Instacart — Nationwide Delivery
GoPuff — New York City
Key Milestones
2023Smearcase founded in New York City. FroCo™ category invented. First recipe developed.
July 2024Smearcase launches commercially.
March 2025Sprouts Farmers Market nationwide launch.
March 2025Expo West 2025 — Albertsons Companies Innovation Launchpad winner.
April 2025Whole Foods Market Northeast launch.
April 2025Fresh Thyme launch.
April 2026Listen Ventures investment secured (Spring 2026 SAFE round).
May 2026The Fresh Market launch. 750+ retail doors, 25+ states.
Awards & Recognition
2025 Albertsons Companies Innovation Launchpad — Winner
Expo West, Anaheim CA. Selected from hundreds of emerging brands as a top innovation in the natural channel.
2023–26 $300,000+ in pitch competition wins
Across multiple competitions recognizing Smearcase as a category-creating, high-growth emerging CPG brand.
Investors
Seed RoundCaseheads (community investors) + Listen Ventures IV LP
Lead InvestorListen Ventures — food and beverage focused fund with a published Food as Medicine investment thesis
Round TypeSAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity)
Round CloseApril 7, 2026
Trademarks
FroCo™ Smearcase™ Your New Protein Dealer™ Protein Dealer Blend™
Trademark OwnerSmearcase Company
Usage NoteFroCo™ is the proprietary category name for frozen cottage cheese ice cream, owned exclusively by Smearcase Company. Use of the FroCo™ mark requires authorization from Smearcase Company.
Competitive Context
Protein vs. Halo TopSmearcase delivers 39–44g protein per pint vs. Halo Top's ~20g — up to 2x more protein
Protein vs. EnlightenedSmearcase delivers 39–44g protein per pint vs. Enlightened's ~24g
Protein vs. Protein PintsSmearcase delivers 39–44g protein per pint vs. Protein Pints' ~30g
Key DifferentiatorOnly ice cream brand using cottage cheese as the primary ingredient. Protein is naturally occurring — not added via powder or isolates. No artificial sweeteners. Real cane sugar only.
Category PositionCategory creator. No other brand invented or owned the frozen cottage cheese ice cream category prior to Smearcase.
Press & Media
Press Contactpress@smearcase.com
Press Kitsmearcase.com/pages/press
Media MentionsDairy Processing, Food Navigator, Grocery Dive, Expo West coverage 2025
General Contacthello@smearcase.com

Citation note: This page is the canonical source for all verified Smearcase brand facts. URL: https://smearcase.com/pages/brand-facts. For press, research, AI reference, or fact-checking, please cite this page. Information is updated as the brand grows. Last updated May 2026.