Tag Archives: Leon’s Frozen Custard (Milwaukee WI)

Opened and in continuous operation since 1942, Leon’s in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is still owned by the original family. The Drive-In served as inspiration for Arnold’s in the 1970’s popular TV sitcom “Happy Days.”

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FEATURE image: Late afternoon at Leon’s Frozen Custard in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. June 2017. (4.53mb, DSC_0728). Author’s photograph.

Leon’s original sign. By victorgrigas – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Leon’s is a family-owned drive-in in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that opened 83 years ago – in 1942. The building was remodeled in the early 50’s and is what is seen today. Leon’s was inspiration for the original Arnold’s Drive-In in the 1970’s ABC television sitcom, Happy Days, that was also set during the 1950’s in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The World Famous Leon’s. “The World Famous Leon’s” by nixter is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
Fonzi played by Henry Winkler was a new character for the ABC TV series. He had just 6 lines in the first episode of “Happy Days” whose debut broadcast was January 15, 1974. In the series, Fonzie’s full name was Arthur Fonzarelli and called that by Richie’s mom. The original family name of series’ creator Garry Marshall (1923-2016) was Masciarelli and changed before Garry was born by his father, a man of Italian descent. “TV Guide #1189” by trainman74 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
Ordering at Leon’s. “World Famous Leon’s Frozen Custard” by Thomas Hawk is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

Leon’s is still owned and operated by the original family. The main focus of the business is, and always has been, to serve the freshest and finest frozen custard available anywhere. The business is open all year round and they have full soda fountain service, a sandwich menu, daily special flavors and take-out service.

Leon’s at night. “Leon’s” by joseph a is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Late afternoon at Leon’s, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. June 2017. Leon’s was inspiration for Arnold’s on Happy Days. Author’s photograph.
Arnold’s was the name of the local Milwaukee drive-in hang out for most of the characters in Happy Days. Fair Use.

In 1973 Ron Howard was 19 years old when he signed to a seven-year contract to do Happy Days. Howard was balancing working on several projects at the same time: making a film (American Graffiti), going to college at USC, and planning for a directing career. Given a starring role as Richie Cunningham, Howard was paid $3,500 per episode (about $25,000 in 2025). Along with M*A*S*H, All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Bob Newhart Show, Happy Days was one of the most popular TV shows of the 1970’s. It aired for 11 seasons from January 15, 1974, to July 19, 1984 on the ABC network. There was a total of 255 half-hour episodes. Ron Howard starred as Richie Cunningham in the Love American Style episode in February 1972 on which the new TV series was based, but still had to audition for the part for the TV series. Cast again as Richie, at the first read-through for the first episode Howard reconnected with Anson Williams (“Potsie”) and Marion Ross (Richie’s mother) who were also in the Love American Style pilot. He also met Tom Bosley (“Richie’s dad”), Donny Most (“Ralph Malph”) and 28-year-old Yale School of Drama grad Henry Winkler (“Fonzie”) at that first read through.

SOURCES:

Ron Howard & Clint Howard , The Boys A Memoir of Hollywood and Family, William Morrow, 2021, pp. 275-277.

https://leonsfrozencustardmke.com/ – retrieved March 2, 2025.

https://happydays.fandom.com/wiki/Arnold%27s_Drive-In – retrieved March 20, 2025.