about

OUR STORY

Creating  
Unforgettable Moments

After a long day and a much-needed glass of bourbon at the Hutton Hotel bar in Nashville, Tennessee, James Ferguson became obsessed with delivering ice’s ultimate form to the Cincinnati area. With the help of his younger son, Charlie, and a dedicated team, BIG ICE was born. Some grand ventures begin in a garage; others, in a small back room somewhere. BIG ICE started in a basement. The year was 2018. Armed with one client and a BIG dream, we introduced our ice at events, special occasions, and to a few hospitality partners.

Eventually, we drew the attention of an outside investor. That support enabled us to bring on our first full-time employee in 2021 and propelled us into the Cincinnati hospitality market. We’ve been elevating the consumer cocktail experience in every market we serve ever since.

Company Growth

In November 2023, we acquired Cubeicle Ice, a specialty ice producer based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The acquisition allowed us to expand our distribution to the Indianapolis and Fort Wayne markets and meet growing demand for BIG ICE in central and southern Ohio, and Louisville, Kentucky.

Vertical Integration

The acquisition of Cubeicle Ice didn’t just expand the size of our business. It gave us full integration from the production of crystal-clear ice to distribution and every step in between. When you partner with BIG ICE, you can tap into extended services that include inventory management, last-minute production, and emergency delivery.

A taste of where BIG ICE is being served.

We craft and distribute crystal-clear cocktail ice, customizable ice, and ice sculpture displays throughout the Midwest.

We’re a proud member of The BIG Idea Group family of companies.

Big Idea Group (BIG), under the leadership of James Ferguson, is an entrepreneurial brand-building organization that creates and grows brands by providing strong strategic leadership, provocative creative, and smart activation plans. BIG is a strategic disruptor that not only builds up existing brands but also invests in and creates its own! BIG ICE is proud to be one of BIG’s innovations.

BIG ICE by the Numbers

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Restaurant Presence

We’re proud to be featured in more than 300 restaurants.

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Cube Production

We’ve crafted over 1 million cubes in 2024 with more to come.

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City Expansion

We are available in more than 20 cities and counting!

Our Commitment 
to Sustainability

Our product comes from the earth, so we care about sustaining it and minimizing our environmental impact. In July 2025, we upgraded our packaging so that it is all recyclable. We now deliver the same great ice but with less waste.

OUR TEAM

Ice to Meet You

At the heart of BIG ICE is a team that knows how to keep things chill. We combine sharp skills with laid-back vibes, making every project—from a single cube to a full-blown sculpture—an experience worth remembering. We like to think we’re as fun as we are dedicated, and we bring that energy to everything we do.