Campbell’s History
A Brandon Tradition Since 1985
Campbell’s Dairyland is a longtime Brandon restaurant and ice cream shop founded by Boyd and Pam Campbell in 1985. What began as a small family business serving hot dogs and ice cream grew into a multigenerational local tradition filled with familiar food, sweet treats and more than four decades of community memories.
Today, Campbell’s Dairyland is beginning a new chapter under the ownership of Chris and Karrie Mueller, the local family behind Dairy Joy and Rodeo Whip. The name, history and traditions of Campbell’s will continue, along with thoughtful improvements designed to help this Brandon favorite thrive for generations to come.
How Did Campbell’s Dairyland Begin?
The Campbell’s Dairyland story began with an unexpected change in Boyd Campbell’s life.
After losing the sales job he had held for more than 20 years, Boyd began looking for a new opportunity. Around that time, he was selling hot dogs topped with his father’s family chili recipe at the Brandon Balloon Festival and the Wagon Wheel Flea Market.
When a friend in real estate told Boyd that the local Dairy Isle was for sale, he saw an opportunity and decided to take it.
Boyd and Pam purchased the restaurant and opened Campbell’s Dairy Isle in 1985. The shop initially served ice cream and hot dogs, but the menu gradually expanded to include the burgers, sandwiches, salads, sundaes, milkshakes and other specialties that became favorites throughout the Brandon community.
Pam’s daughter, Leesa, worked alongside Boyd and Pam from the beginning.
Why Did Campbell’s Dairy Isle Become Campbell’s Dairyland?
When the Dairy Isle franchise agreement expired, the Campbell family renamed the restaurant Campbell’s Dairyland.
They also created the logo that remains part of the restaurant’s identity today. The original design represents Boyd with a hot dog cart alongside his only two grandchildren at the time, Drew and Rebecca.
That logo is more than a restaurant mark. It is a piece of Campbell family history that has welcomed generations of customers.
How Did Campbell’s Become a Multigenerational Family Business?
Campbell’s Dairyland became a family business in every sense.
In 1992, Jay Paules, husband of Boyd’s daughter Jill, joined the restaurant. Leesa’s husband, James Lee, followed in 1995, and Jill joined the business in 1996.
As the grandchildren grew older, another generation began working alongside their parents. Rebecca Lee, Joshua Lee, Drew Paules and Trenton Paules all became part of the Campbell’s Dairyland story.
Drew continues to serve the restaurant as General Manager, while Trenton still works part time as his schedule allows. Rebecca and her husband, Donovan, left the restaurant to raise their five boys, and Joshua and his wife, Emary, later moved to Montana.
The family has continued to grow. Drew and his wife, Brittany, now have two children, and Trenton and his wife, Katelyn, also have two children.
What began with Boyd and Pam truly became a multigenerational family business.
When Did the Next Generation Take Over Campbell’s?
In 1998, Boyd and Pam decided it was time to retire. They sold Campbell’s Dairyland to their daughters and sons-in-law, who continued the traditions and menu that customers had grown to love.
The next generation also added new ideas of its own.
James had a special creativity in the kitchen and developed several Campbell’s favorites, including:
- The Caribbean Salad
- Campbell’s Chocolate Chiller
- The Mocha Latte
- Campbell’s Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce
The signature Buffalo sauce became a favorite on both Campbell’s chicken wings and Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.
Over time, the Campbell family also realized that the restaurant family had grown far beyond those who shared the Campbell name. Employees, longtime customers and generations of Brandon families had all become part of the story.
What Happened to Campbell’s Dairyland in 2002?
In November 2002, Campbell’s Dairyland faced one of the greatest challenges in its history.
A fire broke out in the kitchen during the night. The kitchen was destroyed, the front of the restaurant suffered extensive damage, and the building had to be completely gutted and rebuilt.
The loss was devastating, but the Campbell family was not alone.
They credit God’s faithfulness and the extraordinary support of the Brandon community with helping them through the months that followed. Customers, friends and neighbors offered encouragement, prayers and support while the restaurant was rebuilt.
Campbell’s Dairyland reopened in July 2003 with the same crew ready to welcome Brandon back.
The community returned, too.
The Campbell family has never forgotten the loyalty and kindness shown during that difficult season.
Why Is Campbell’s Dairyland More Than a Restaurant?
For more than four decades, Campbell’s Dairyland has been part of everyday life in Brandon.
Young couples became parents. Children who once stopped for ice cream returned years later with children and grandchildren of their own.
Campbell’s has been part of:
- After-school ice cream stops
- Family dinners
- Celebrations after ball games
- Sunday evenings after church
- First jobs
- First dates
- Birthday treats
- Community traditions
- Ordinary days that became lasting memories
The Campbell family celebrated milestones, faced difficult seasons, worked beside generations of employees and built friendships that extended far beyond the restaurant.
Campbell’s became part of Brandon families’ traditions, and the Brandon community became part of the Campbell family’s story.
Who Owns Campbell’s Dairyland Today?
In August 2026, the Campbell family made the difficult and bittersweet decision to retire and sell Campbell’s Dairyland after more than 40 years.
The restaurant was purchased by Chris and Karrie Mueller, experienced local restaurant and ice cream shop owners from the Tampa Bay area. Chris and Karrie are also the family behind Dairy Joy and Rodeo Whip, two other Florida ice cream traditions with long local histories.
The Campbells felt comfortable passing the restaurant to owners who understood that Campbell’s Dairyland was more than a business or a name on a building.
It was a place filled with family history, community relationships and generations of memories.
Read about Chris and Karrie Mueller and this current chapter on Our Story.
Is the Campbell’s Dairyland Name Changing?
No. Campbell’s Dairyland will remain Campbell’s Dairyland.
The familiar name will stay. The history will be honored. The Campbell’s logo and the story it represents will remain part of the restaurant’s identity.
Chris and Karrie plan to preserve the traditions customers love while making thoughtful improvements to the restaurant, equipment and overall guest experience.
The goal is not to replace Campbell’s. It is to care for it, strengthen it and carry it into the future.
What Can Customers Expect in Campbell’s Next Chapter?
Customers can expect the same commitment to good food, classic treats and friendly service, along with improvements designed to make Campbell’s refreshed, more comfortable and even more enjoyable for families.
The new chapter includes updates to the building, equipment, lighting, outdoor areas and overall appearance while maintaining the nostalgic character that makes Campbell’s special.
New menu ideas and seasonal specialties will be introduced thoughtfully, without losing sight of the longtime favorites and traditions that have defined the restaurant since 1985.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Campbell’s Dairyland
Boyd and Pam Campbell opened the restaurant in Brandon in 1985.
The restaurant originally operated as Campbell’s Dairy Isle. It became Campbell’s Dairyland after the Dairy Isle franchise agreement expired.
Campbell’s Dairyland was founded by Boyd and Pam Campbell.
Yes. In August 2026, Campbell’s Dairyland was purchased by Chris and Karrie Mueller, the local family behind Dairy Joy and Rodeo Whip.
Yes. A fire severely damaged the restaurant in November 2002. After the building was gutted and rebuilt, Campbell’s Dairyland reopened in July 2003.
No. The Campbell’s Dairyland name and its connection to the Campbell family will remain.
Campbell’s Dairyland is located at 200 S. Parsons Ave. in Brandon, Florida.
Visit Campbell’s Dairyland in Brandon
Whether Campbell’s has been part of your family’s traditions for decades or you are visiting for the first time, we are grateful to welcome you.
Come enjoy the burgers, hot dogs, salads, sandwiches, milkshakes, sundaes and classic treats that have made Campbell’s Dairyland a Brandon tradition since 1985.