EXHIBIT 99.1

                                   NEWS FROM:
                          COOLBRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 5, 2004
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For More Information Contact:
         Michael Serruya, Co-Chairman
         CoolBrands International Inc.
         Email Address: mserruya@coolbrandsinc.com
         Telephone: (905) 479-8762

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                COOLBRANDS ANNOUNCES WEIGHT WATCHERS DEVELOPMENT

CoolBrands International Inc. (TSX: COB.A) announces that it, and certain of its
subsidiaries, have been served with a complaint by Weight Watchers International
Inc. ("Weight Watchers") alleging anticipatory breach by CoolBrands and those
subsidiaries of their obligations under a license agreement with Weight
Watchers, and making additional related claims.

CoolBrands strongly disputes the claims made by Weight Watchers and believes
that its allegations are completely unfounded and without merit and will
vigorously contest the matter in New York state court, where the complaint was
filed.


                         About CoolBrands International:

CoolBrands International is a leader in the consumer products and franchising
segments of the frozen dessert industry, marketing a diverse range of frozen
dessert products under nationally and internationally recognized brand names.
CoolBrands is the pre-eminent company in the fast-growing "better-for-you" ice
cream category with offerings such as fat free, non-dairy Whole Fruit'TM'
Sorbet, Weight Watchers'r' Smart Ones'r' low-fat and fat-free frozen desserts
and new Atkins'r' Endulge'TM' controlled carbohydrate super premium ice cream.
CoolBrands also competes in the super premium ice cream category with the
Dreamery'r' Ice Cream and Godiva'r' Ice Cream brands. In addition, CoolBrands
markets a wide variety of "all family" premium ice creams, frozen novelties and
frozen desserts under the Eskimo Pie'r', Chipwich'r', Tropicana'r', Welch's'r',
Yoplait'r', Betty Crocker'r' and Trix'r' brand names.

CoolBrands' subsidiary, Eskimo Pie Frozen Distribution, operates the second
largest "direct store delivery" (DSD) ice cream distribution system in the U.S.,
serving these CoolBrands products and a growing family of Partner Brands to
supermarkets, convenience stores and other retail customers.

CoolBrands' subsidiary, Americana Foods, is a leading U.S. manufacturer and
supplier of soft serve mixes, packaged ice







cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet products and frozen novelties to well known
national retailers, food companies and restaurant chains. Americana Foods also
manufactures and sells products for the foodservice channel, which are
extensively used to standardize quality and reduce labor costs in on-site food
preparation.

Coolbrands' Foodservice Division manufactures and sells premium soft serve ice
cream and frozen yogurt to the foodservice industry. CoolBrands also
manufactures and sells a full line of quality flavours, chocolate coatings,
fudge sauces, powders for chocolate milk, egg nog bases and other ingredients
and flexible packaging products for use in private label dairy products in
addition to the Company's brands.

CoolBrands also franchises and licenses frozen dessert outlets operated under a
Family of Brands including Tropicana'r' Smoothies, Juices & More, Swensen's'r'
Ice Cream, I Can't Believe It's Yogurt'r', Yogen Fruz'r', Bresler's'r' Premium
Ice Cream, Golden Swirl'r' and Ice Cream Churn'r', with company-owned,
franchised and non-traditional partnership locations around the world.

This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among
other things, statements relating to goals, plans and projections regarding the
Company's financial position and business strategy. These statements may be
identified by the fact that they use such words as "anticipate," "estimate,"
"expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," and other words and terms of similar
meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial
performance. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations
and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could
delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results
to differ materially from current expectations. These factors include, among
other things, market factors, competitive product development and promotional
activity, the level of consumer interest in the Company's products, product
costing, the weather, the performance of management, including management's
ability to implement its plans as contemplated, the Company's relationship with
its customers, franchisees, licensees and licensors, governmental regulations
and legislation and litigation. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly
update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.