Kirk Louden, Co-owner of Cold Stone Creamery in Bremerton

When Devin Loudon first got a taste of Cold Stone Creamery ice cream, he told himself he must own a shop. Not that the idea of a franchise was really appealing for the co-owner of a golf pro shop and espresso shop at the Northwest Golf Range. But the experience was so unbelievable — a shop with dozens of ice cream mixes, the best ice cream and singing employees — that he had to find out more.

Three years and a crash-course at “ice cream university” later, Devin and brother Kirk are the proud owners of Kitsap’s first Cold Stone Creamery, located right in the heart of Bremerton downtown at the Harborside Conference Center. And the franchise, as it turned out, was so unique that the pair are planning to open a second shop, in Silverdale, next year.

“Cold Stone doesn’t just sell franchises to anyone. They receive thousands of applications every month and award less than 30,” Loudon said.

What makes Cold Stone such a cool place? For starters, the ice cream and cones are made fresh every day. And although some customers prefer ice cream the ordinary way — like a scoop each of two different flavors — the true Cold Stone experience comes from choosing your flavors and watching the staff do their magic on them on a frozen granite stone.

The business has 28 employees but in October Loudon was looking for more. Applicants beware: Don’t expect an interview. Get ready to audition instead. And don’t worry if your singing skills are not Broadway material or you had resisted your parents’ push for dancing lessons.

“They don’t have to be extremely talented — they just need to be enthusiastic,” Loudon said.

Even with the unusual hiring procedures, the business received more than 100 applications for 25 positions, and continues to receive dozens every month via the Cold Stone Web site, he said.

The two brothers first became business partners in 1998, when after working at the golf range for a few years they had the opportunity to buy the pro shop. After being in a band together, working at the same place, and hanging out with some of the same friends, the two Bremerton natives did not think twice about extending their relationship into the world of enterprise.

“The trust factor is everything. I don’t have to look over the shoulder, and we can back each other,” Loudon said.

These days, they still spend time at the pro shop, but establishing the ice cream parlor has taken up most of their time. Devin said they’ve been working 16-hour days, seven days a week for a few months, even while having a full-time manager. Although “working the stone” — lingo for serving customers and mixing the concoctions — is his favorite part, he looks forward to the day when the shop is more established and he can cut back or focus on management instead.

With plans for a second location, it may be a while before the two owners get to slow down, however. Loudon said to make the business a sound investment, they need at least two locations and may even consider more in the future. In the meantime, they plan to carry out Cold Stone’s tradition of serving up a unique experience.

“Not only our customers expect it, but our fellow franchisees deserve it,” he said.