Destin just got a whole lot sweeter with the arrival of Crispy Cones! The Shark Tank-featured ice cream shop is known for its warm, freshly baked pastry cones that are rolled in cinnamon and sugar, then topped with creamy soft-serve ice cream and creative toppings ranging from Nutella and brownie bites to cookies and candy.

This location is co-owned by the Schmidt and Payne families who came together to bring Crispy Cones to Destin. Kevin and Natalie Schmidt are both lifelong Destin locals and active community members. Kevin is an entrepreneur who also serves on Destin City Council and as President of Destin Little League. Natalie has deep roots in the local business community as part of the third generation of her family’s Harris Insurance, a family-owned agency that has served Northwest Florida for decades. 

Their friends and business partners, Richard and Luanne Payne, live in Huntsville, Alabama, but they’ve owned a vacation home in Destin for years. They fell in love with the Emerald Coast and knew it was the right place to bring a Crispy Cones. Richard and Luanne have been married for 36 years, with 5 kids and now 11 grandkids. Family is their greatest pride and joy and you can see how that love of family and togetherness is woven right into the spirit of Crispy Cones, a place built for gathering, celebrating, and making memories.

It was amazing to see so many familiar faces from our community show up on opening night to support Kevin and Natalie, try Crispy Cones for the first time and celebrate this new adventure with them. Because while the cones may be delicious—and they really are—it’s the people behind the businesses we love supporting, too.

Crispy Cones Comes to Destin: From Shark Tank to the Emerald Coast

The idea to bring Crispy Cones to Destin started with Kevin’s business partner, Richard Payne, who lives in Huntsville, Alabama. Richard first discovered the concept and inquired about bringing Crispy Cones to his area, but the available locations there had already been claimed. Since he also has a vacation home in Destin, he immediately thought of Kevin.

Kevin had already experienced Crispy Cones firsthand during a family trip to Orlando, where they made a point of visiting after seeing the brand featured on Shark Tank. As soon as they walked through the door, they were greeted by the smell of cinnamon and sugar as the pastry cones were baked. Then came the indulgent soft-serve ice cream, followed by the satisfying crunch of the warm pastry cone.

But beyond the taste, it was the uniqueness of the concept that convinced him it could work in Destin.

“Destin has a lot of great ice cream locations, but nothing quite like this,” Kevin says.

Crispy Cones offered something different: freshly baked pastry cones, true soft-serve ice cream and creative combinations that turn dessert into an experience.

They officially signed on with Crispy Cones in January 2025 and began searching for the right location in Destin. After considering a few possibilities, they eventually found their current spot and began construction in early April 2026. Finally, on August 14, 2026, Crispy Cones officially opened its doors in Destin.

From the initial idea to opening day, it became a family venture—and one the Destin community was ready to embrace.

Why Crispy Cones Is Different From Other Destin Ice Cream Shops

Destin certainly isn’t short on places to get ice cream, but Crispy Cones offers a truly unique experience.

The signature treat combines freshly baked pastry cones, cinnamon and sugar, soft-serve ice cream and creative toppings.

The warm, crispy pastry paired with cold, creamy soft serve gives Crispy Cones a completely different texture than a traditional ice cream cone. Add in the variety of toppings and combinations, and there’s something for just about every sweet tooth.

It’s also the kind of place that feels especially fitting for Destin—a fun stop after a day at the beach, an easy treat with the kids or simply an excuse to try something new.

What to Order at Crispy Cones Destin

So, what should you order when you visit Crispy Cones in Destin?

Kevin has a clear favorite: the Brownie Royale.

It starts with a Crispy Cone filled with chocolate ice cream and Nutella, then gets topped with Kit Kat pieces and brownie bites before being finished with a Nutella drizzle.

If you’re a chocolate lover, this one is hard to pass up.

For a first visit, Kevin also recommends the Cookie à la Mode, especially if you’re more of a cookie person.

And if you don’t want to jump right into one of the loaded cones, Kevin has another suggestion: order the ice cream in a cup and get the hot pastry cone separately. That way, you can enjoy the soft serve on its own and break off pieces of the warm pastry cone to dip into your ice cream.

While there are signature combinations on the menu, you can customize your own cone or try one of their weekly specials.

A National Brand With a Local Heart

Crispy Cones may be a nationally recognized brand and franchise, but the story behind the new Destin location is very local.

It took a local family, a lot of hard work and over a year of planning to bring the concept to our community. Kevin and Natalie took a brand they believed in and made the investment to bring it to Destin, creating something new for locals and visitors to enjoy while becoming part of the community in a whole new way.

That was especially evident on opening night.

So many familiar faces came out to support them, try Crispy Cones for the first time and celebrate this new chapter with them. There was a real sense of excitement in the room, but also something that felt very Destin: people showing up for people they know and care about.

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Where Is Crispy Cones in Destin?

Whether you stop by after a day at the beach, bring the kids for an afternoon treat or just want to try something you can’t get anywhere else around here, Crispy Cones is a sweet new addition to the local food scene.

Crispy Cones Destin
16055 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Unit 104
850-460-9988

Hours:
Monday – Thursday: Noon – 11pm
Friday & Saturday: Noon – Midnight
Sunday: 2pm – 11pm

View the Crispy Cones Destin menu.