<PAGE>   1

                                    FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 27, 1997

                                       OR

[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 0-14190

                         DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware                                                     No. 94-2967523
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)


                 5929 College Avenue, Oakland, California 94618
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

                                 (510) 652-8187
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                                 Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock as of the latest practicable date.

                                                       Shares Outstanding
                                                        November 7, 1997
                                                        ----------------
              Common stock, $1.00 par value                 27,010,598


<PAGE>   2
                         DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.

PART I:  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                         DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                September 27,     December 28,
                                                    1997              1996
                                                ------------      ------------
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)       (unaudited)

<S>                                              <C>               <C>
Assets
Current Assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                      $  4,941          $  4,134
   Trade accounts receivable, net of
      allowance for doubtful accounts of
      $720 in 1997 and $755 in 1996                101,510            73,053
   Other accounts receivable                        19,029            13,638
   Inventories                                      53,201            40,760
   Prepaid expenses and other                       10,625            13,652
                                                  --------          --------

   Total current assets                            189,306           145,237

Property, plant and equipment, net                 227,910           225,038
Goodwill and distribution rights, net               90,694            92,010
Other assets                                        16,640            16,622
                                                  --------          --------

Total assets                                      $524,550          $478,907
                                                  ========          ========
</TABLE>


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


                                       2


<PAGE>   3
                         DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   September 27,   December 28,
                                                       1997            1996
                                                   ------------    ------------
                                                   (unaudited)
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

<S>                                               <C>              <C>   
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities        $    56,578     $    48,391
   Accrued payroll and employee benefits                18,961          18,198
   Current portion of long-term debt                     8,512           8,512
                                                   -----------     -----------

   Total current liabilities                            84,051          75,101

Long-term debt, less current portion                   188,091         163,135
Deferred income taxes                                   40,382          37,802
                                                   -----------     -----------

Total liabilities                                      312,524         276,038
                                                   -----------     -----------

Commitments and contingencies

Redeemable convertible preferred stock, $1 par
   value - 1,008,000 shares authorized;
   1,008,000 shares issued and outstanding
   in 1997 and 1996                                     99,124          98,806
                                                   -----------     -----------
   
Stockholders' Equity:
   Preferred stock, $1 par value -
      8,992,000 shares authorized; no shares
      issued or outstanding in 1997 and 1996
   Common stock, $1 par value -
      60,000,000 shares authorized;
      26,988,000 shares and 13,345,000 shares 
      issued and outstanding in 1997 and 1996,
      respectively                                      26,988          13,345
   Capital in excess of par                             42,220          51,956
   Retained earnings                                    43,694          38,762
                                                   -----------     -----------

Total stockholders' equity                             112,902         104,063
                                                   -----------     -----------


Total liabilities and stockholders' equity         $   524,550     $   478,907
                                                   ===========     ===========
</TABLE>


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


                                       3
<PAGE>   4






                         DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                                   (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                        Thirteen Weeks Ended            Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
                                     ----------------------------     ----------------------------
                                     September 27,  September 28,     September 27,  September 28,
($ in thousands, except per               1997           1996              1997           1996 
share amounts)                       -------------  -------------     -------------  -------------
                                
<S>                                   <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>
Revenues:
  Net sales                            $286,256        $234,644        $758,666        $613,182
  Other income                            1,088              63           2,085           1,203
                                       --------        --------        --------        --------
                                        287,344         234,707         760,751         614,385

Costs and expenses:
  Cost of goods sold                    220,615         182,987         595,583         482,380
  Selling, general and                                                                         
    administrative                       55,638          43,419         138,738         108,840
  Interest, net of interest
    capitalized                           2,911           2,936           8,142           6,917
                                       --------        --------        --------        --------

                                        279,164         229,342         742,463         598,137
                                       --------        --------        --------        --------

Income before income taxes                8,180           5,365          18,288          16,248

Income taxes                              3,215           2,060           7,187           6,239
                                       --------        --------        --------        --------

Net income                                4,965           3,305          11,101          10,009

Accretion of preferred stock to
  redemption value                          106             106             318             318
Preferred stock dividends                 1,144           1,144           3,431           3,431
                                       --------        --------        --------        --------

Net income applicable to
  common stock                         $  3,715        $  2,055        $  7,352        $  6,260
                                       ========        ========        ========        ========

Net income per common share            $    .13        $    .08        $    .26        $    .24
                                       ========        ========        ========        ========

Dividends per common share             $    .03        $    .03        $    .09        $    .09
                                       ========        ========        ========        ========

</TABLE>


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


                                       4


<PAGE>   5

                         DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.

            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                   (unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            Common Stock           
                                         --------------------    Capital in     Retained
(In thousands)                            Shares      Amount    Excess of Par    Earnings      Total
                                         --------     -------   -------------   ---------     --------

<S>                                      <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>     
Balance at December 30, 1995             12,929       $12,929      $ 39,370       $39,964      $ 92,263
   Net income                                                                      10,009        10,009
   Accretion of preferred stock to
     redemption value                                                                (318)         (318)
   Preferred stock dividends
     declared                                                                      (3,431)       (3,431)
   Common stock dividends declared                                                 (2,400)       (2,400)
   Common stock issued in
     acquisition of M-K-D 
     Distributors, Inc.                     320           320        10,480                      10,800
   Repurchases and retirements of
     common stock                            (6)           (6)         (157)                       (163)
   Employee stock plans                      98            98         2,090                       2,188
                                       --------       -------      --------      --------      --------

Balance at September 28, 1996            13,341       $13,341      $ 51,783       $43,824      $108,948
                                       ========       =======      ========      ========      ========


Balance at December 28, 1996             13,345       $13,345      $ 51,956       $38,762      $104,063
   Net income                                                                      11,101        11,101
   Accretion of preferred stock to
     redemption value                                                                (318)         (318)
   Preferred stock dividends                                                                            
     declared                                                                      (3,431)       (3,431)
   Common stock dividends declared                                                 (2,420)       (2,420)
   Repurchases and retirements of
     common stock                            (6)           (6)         (224)                       (230)
   Employee stock plans                     155           155         3,982                       4,137
   Common stock split                    13,494        13,494       (13,494)
                                       --------       -------      --------      --------      --------
Balance at September 27, 1997            26,988       $26,988      $ 42,220       $43,694      $112,902
                                       ========       =======      ========      ========      ========

</TABLE>


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


                                       5

<PAGE>   6

                         DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
                                                   --------------------------------------
($ in thousands)                                    September 27,         September 28,
                                                        1997                   1996
                                                   ----------------       ---------------
<S>                                                   <C>                      <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                           $   11,101             $  10,009
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
   from operations:
      Depreciation and amortization                         23,753                20,314
      Deferred income taxes                                  2,580                 2,842
      Changes in assets and liabilities, net of
      amounts acquired:
         Trade accounts receivable                         (28,457)              (26,594)
         Other accounts receivable                          (5,391)               (1,278)
         Inventories                                       (12,441)              (10,380)
         Prepaid expenses and other                          3,027                 5,039
         Accounts payable and accrued liabilities            8,178                18,842
         Accrued payroll and employee benefits                 763                (5,294)
                                                         ----------             ---------
                                                             3,113               (13,500)
                                                         ----------             ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
   Acquisition of property, plant and equipment            (25,159)              (50,289)
   Retirement of property, plant and equipment                 661                 1,856
   Increase in goodwill and distribution rights                (96)                 (968)
   Increase in other assets                                   (733)               (3,599)
                                                         ----------             ---------
                                                           (25,327)              (53,000)
                                                         ----------             ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
   Proceeds from long-term debt                             32,000                76,000
   Reductions in long-term debt                             (7,044)              (35,194)
   Issuance of common stock under employee stock             4,137                 2,188
   plans
   Repurchases of common stock                                (230)                 (163)
   Cash dividends paid                                      (5,842)               (3,887)
                                                         ----------             ---------
                                                            23,021                38,944
                                                         ----------             ---------

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents               807                  (556)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period               4,134                 3,051
                                                         ----------             ---------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                 $   4,941              $  2,495
                                                         ==========             ========

Supplemental Cash Flow Information -
 Cash paid during the period for:
         Interest (net of amounts capitalized)           $  8,174               $  5,901
         Income taxes (net of refunds)                        345                    102

   Non-cash transaction:
         Acquisition of M-K-D Distributors, Inc.                                  10,800

</TABLE>


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


                                       6

<PAGE>   7


                         DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 1 - General:

   Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) is a single
segment industry company engaged in the business of manufacturing and
distributing premium ice cream and other frozen dessert products to grocery and
convenience stores, foodservice accounts and independent distributors in the
United States.

The consolidated financial statements for the thirteen and thirty-nine week
periods ended September 27, 1997 and September 28, 1996 have not been audited by
independent public accountants, but include all adjustments, such as normal
recurring accruals, which management considers necessary for a fair presentation
of the consolidated operating results for the periods. The statements have been
prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, certain information and footnote
disclosure normally included in financial statements prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant
to such rules and regulations. The operating results for interim periods are not
necessarily indicative of results to be expected for an entire year. The
aforementioned statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated
Financial Statements for the year ended December 28, 1996, appearing in the
Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders.

NOTE 2 - Financial Statement Presentation:

   Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial
statements in order to conform to the current presentation.

NOTE 3 - Inventories:

   Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined by the first-in,
first-out method) or market. Inventories at September 27, 1997 and December 28,
1996 consisted of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                    September 27,         December 28,
                        1997                  1996   
                    ------------          ------------ 
                    (unaudited)


<S>                 <C>                    <C>         
Raw materials       $      8,369           $     5,361
Finished goods            44,832                35,399
                    ------------           -----------

                    $     53,201           $    40,760
                    ============           ===========
</TABLE>


NOTE 4 - Common Stock Split:

   On October 23, 1997, the stockholders of the Company approved a two-for-one
common stock split for holders of record on October 30, 1997. An amount equal to
the par value of the common stock to be issued was transferred from capital in
excess of par to common stock to retroactively reflect this split. 


                                       7

<PAGE>   8

Additionally, the number of shares and earnings and dividends per share
information appearing in these consolidated financial statements have been
restated to reflect this stock split on a retroactive basis.

NOTE 5 - Net Income Per Common Share:

   Net income per common share is computed using the weighted average number of
shares of common stock outstanding during the period and dilutive common stock
equivalents if the dilution exceeds 3% of net income per common share. The
number of shares have been retroactively restated to reflect a common stock
split as discussed in Note 4.

For the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 1997, the number of
common shares used in the calculation were 28,937,000 and 28,142,000,
respectively. For the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 1996
the number of common shares used were 26,680,000 and 26,432,000, respectively.
The potentially dilutive effect of the Company's redeemable convertible
preferred stock and other common stock equivalents used in the calculation of
fully diluted net income per common share was anti-dilutive for the thirteen and
thirty-nine week periods ended September 27, 1997 and September 28, 1996.
Accordingly, fully diluted net income per common share is not presented.

In February 1997, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings
per Share" (SFAS 128), was issued. SFAS 128 establishes new standards for
computing and disclosing earnings per share (EPS). The Company is required to
adopt SFAS 128 during the fourth quarter of 1997 effective in the Company's 1997
Annual Report to Stockholders. When adopted, SFAS 128 will require the Company
to replace its traditional EPS disclosures with a dual presentation of basic and
diluted EPS and to restate all prior EPS data presented. If SFAS 128 had been in
effect for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 1997 and
September 28, 1996, basic and diluted EPS would have been as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                         Thirteen Weeks Ended                   Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
                 ------------------------------------   -------------------------------------
                  September 27,       September 28,      September 27,        September 28,
                       1997               1996               1997                 1996
                 -----------------   ----------------   ----------------     ----------------

<S>                   <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>    
Basic                 $   .14            $   .08            $   .27            $   .24
Diluted                   .13                .08                .26                .23

</TABLE>

NOTE 6 - Redeemable, Convertible Preferred Stock:

   On October 3, 1997, the Company converted its Series B redeemable,
convertible preferred stock (Series B) to Series A redeemable, convertible
preferred stock (Series A). Series B holders received quarterly preferred
dividends of approximately $1,143,000. Series A holders receive preferred
dividends at a per share rate equivalent to the common stock dividend rate
assuming the Series A had been converted into 5,800,000 shares of common stock.

NOTE 7 - Insurance Claim:

   In September 1997, the Company recorded a gain relating to an insurance claim
filed as a result of the accidental release of ammonia (refrigerant) into one of
its manufacturing facilities which contaminated the finished goods inventory.
The Company's insurance covers the value of the finished goods inventory at its
normal selling price, plus expenses incurred in recovering from the accident.
This insurance claim resulted in a gain of $1,200,000, which was recorded as a
reduction in cost of goods sold in the third quarter of 1997.


                                       8
<PAGE>   9


ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
         CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

  The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the percent which the
items in the Consolidated Statement of Operations bear to net sales and the
percentage change of such items compared with the indicated prior period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                 
                                                                                Period-to-Period
                                          Percentage of Net Sales              Increase (Decrease)
                                 -------------------------------------------   ---------------------
                                   Thirteen Weeks        Thirty-Nine Weeks     Thirteen  Thirty-Nine
                                       Ended                   Ended             Weeks      Weeks
                                 --------------------   --------------------      1997       1997
                                 Sept. 27,  Sept. 28,   Sept. 27,  Sept. 28,    Compared   Compared
                                    1997       1996        1997       1996       to 1996    to 1996
                                 ---------  ---------   ---------  ---------   ---------------------
<S>                              <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>
Revenues:
   Net sales                        100.0%     100.0%     100.0%     100.0%        22.0%     23.7%
   Other income                       0.4        0.0        0.3        0.2          NM       73.3
                                  -------    -------   --------    -------

Total revenues                      100.4      100.0      100.3      100.2         22.4      23.8
                                  -------    -------   --------    -------


Costs and expenses:
   Cost of goods sold                77.1       78.0       78.5       78.7         20.6      23.5
   Selling, general and
     administrative                  19.4       18.5       18.3       17.8         28.1      27.5
   Interest, net of interest
     capitalized                      1.0        1.2        1.1        1.1         (0.9)     17.7
                                  -------    -------   --------    -------

Total costs and expenses             97.5       97.7       97.9       97.6         21.7      24.1
                                  -------    -------   --------    -------

Income before income taxes            2.9        2.3        2.4        2.6         52.5      12.6
                                  -------    -------   --------    -------

Income taxes                          1.2        0.9        0.9        1.0         56.1      15.2
                                  -------    -------   --------    -------

Net income                            1.7        1.4        1.5        1.6         50.2      10.9

Accretion of preferred stock to
  redemption value                    0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0          0.0       0.0

Preferred stock dividends             0.4        0.5        0.5        0.5          0.0       0.0
                                  -------    -------   --------    -------
Net income applicable to
  common stock                        1.3%       0.9%       1.0%       1.1%        80.8%     17.4%
                                  =======    =======   ========    =======
</TABLE>


                                       9
<PAGE>   10

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

   The Company may from time to time make written or oral forward-looking
statements. Written forward-looking statements may appear in documents filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases, and in reports
to stockholders. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 contains a
safe harbor for forward-looking statements on which the Company relies in making
such disclosures. In accordance with this "safe harbor" provision, we have
identified that forward-looking statements are contained in this Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of
Operations. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these
forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Also, in connection with this "safe harbor" provision, the Company is hereby
identifying important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to
differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement made by
or on behalf of the Company. Any such statement is qualified by reference to the
cautionary statements set forth below and in the Company's other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Strategic Plan

   The Company embarked on a new strategic plan (the Strategic Plan) during the
second quarter of 1994 to accelerate the sales of its brand throughout the
country. The key elements of this plan are: 1) to build a high margin brand with
a leading market share through effective consumer marketing activities, 2) to
expand the Company's direct-store-delivery distribution network to national
scale and leverage this capability with sophisticated information systems and 3)
to introduce innovative new products. The potential benefits of the Strategic
Plan are increased market share and future earnings above those levels that
would be attained in the absence of the Strategic Plan.

The Company continues to make significant progress against the key elements of
the Strategic Plan. This progress has yielded a leading market share in a
consolidating industry. The Company's direct-store-delivery system has now
reached national scope and includes emerging category management and demand
management capabilities. The Company is launching a wide range of new product
initiatives. Following the national introduction of Whole Fruit Sorbet and
Starbucks(TM) Ice Cream, the Company has just begun an expansion of its Dreyer's
and Edy's Homemade brand from its test markets in the Southeast to a national
roll-out. In light of these successes, the Company believes that the benefits
under the Strategic Plan will be realized in future years. However, no assurance
can be given that the expectations relative to future market share and earnings
benefits of the strategy will be achieved. The realization of the benefits will
depend upon, among other things, consumer purchase responsiveness to the
Company's new products and increased marketing and promotion expenditures,
competitors' marketing and promotion responses, market conditions affecting the
price of the Company's products, commodity costs and efficiencies achieved in
manufacturing and distribution operations.

As originally announced, the Company anticipated that the cost of implementing
the Strategic Plan would materially reduce earnings during the fiscal years of
1994 and 1995. For fiscal 1996, earnings improved to a net income of $6,997,000,
or $0.08 per common share from a net loss in 1995 of $(1,524,000), or $(0.13)
per common share. Through the third quarter of 1997, the Company recorded net
income of $11,101,000 or $0.26 per common share compared with net income of
$10,009,000, or $0.24 per common share for the same period of 1996. Net
profitability for the first three quarters of 1997 was higher than the prior
year primarily due to an improvement in the Company's gross margin offset by
significantly higher trade promotion expenses. The Company believes that the
cost of the Strategic Plan's key elements will continue to negatively affect its
short-term earnings.

Thirteen Weeks ended September 27, 1997 Compared with Thirteen Weeks Ended
September 28, 1996

    Consolidated net sales for the third quarter of 1997 increased 22%, or
$51,612,000, to $286,256,000 from $234,644,000 for the same period last year.
Sales of the Company's branded products were 24%, or $35,357,000, higher than
the comparable quarter in 1996 and accounted for the majority of the overall
sales increase. The increase in sales of the Company's branded products related
primarily to higher unit sales in all markets. The products that led this
increase were Dreyer's and Edy's Grand Ice Cream, Starbucks(TM) Ice Cream,
Dreyer's and 


                                       10


<PAGE>   11

Edy's Homemade Ice Cream, and Dreyer's and Edy's Grand Light(R) Ice Cream. These
higher sales are due in part to the effect of a significant increase in trade
promotion spending and comparatively higher advertising spending under the
Company's Strategic Plan. Sales of other companies' branded products (partner
brands) increased 18%, led by Ben and Jerry's Homemade(R) superpremium products,
frozen novelty and ice cream products from Nestle Ice Cream Company, and Healthy
Choice(R) Low Fat Ice Cream from Con Agra, Inc. Sales of partner brands
represented 37% of consolidated net sales compared with 38% in the same period
last year. Wholesale prices for the Company's branded products increased
approximately 4%, before the effect of trade promotion spending. The effect of
price increases for partner brands was not significant.

Other income increased $1,025,000 primarily due to higher earnings from a joint
venture accounted for under the equity method.

Cost of goods sold increased $37,628,000, or 21%, over the third quarter of
1996, while the overall gross margin increased to 22.9% from 22.0%. The gross
margin increased due to higher margins on Company products, a comparatively
higher proportion of sales represented by those products (which carry a higher
margin than partner brands), the benefit of a $1,200,000 non-recurring insurance
gain (See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) offset by
slightly higher distribution costs. The improvement in the gross margin on
Company products was due to lower dairy costs in the third quarter of 1997 as
compared to the same quarter in 1996.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased from 18.5% of net sales
for the third quarter of 1996 to 19.4% of net sales for the same period in 1997.
The increase of $12,219,000, or 28%, related primarily to significantly higher
trade promotion expenses in the third quarter of 1997 compared with the same
period in 1996.

Income taxes increased primarily due to higher pre-tax income in 1997. The
effective tax rate increased to 39.3% for the third quarter of 1997 compared
with 38.4% for the third quarter of 1996.

Thirty-Nine Weeks ended September 27, 1997 Compared with Thirty-Nine Weeks ended
September 28, 1996

    Consolidated net sales for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 1997
increased 24%, to $758,666,000 compared with $613,182,000 for the same period
last year. Sales of the Company's branded products were 26%, or $99,132,000,
higher than in the same period last year and accounted for the majority of the
increase in total sales. The increase in sales of the Company's branded products
related primarily to higher unit sales in all markets. The products that led
this increase were Dreyer's and Edy's Grand Ice Cream, Starbucks(TM) Ice Cream,
Dreyer's and Edy's Grand Light(R) Ice Cream and Dreyer's and Edy's Homemade Ice
Cream. These higher sales are due in part to the effect of a significant
increase in trade promotion spending and comparatively higher advertising
spending under the Company's Strategic Plan. Sales of partner brands increased
20%, led by Healthy Choice(R) Low Fat Ice Cream from Con Agra, Inc., frozen
novelty and ice cream products from Nestle Ice Cream Company and Ben and Jerry's
Homemade(R) superpremium products. Sales of partner brands represented 37% of
consolidated net sales as compared with 38% in the same period last year.
Wholesale prices for the Company's branded products increased approximately 4%,
before the effect of trade promotion spending. The effect of price increases for
partner brands was not significant.

Other income increased $882,000 primarily due to higher earnings from a joint
venture accounted for under the equity method.

Cost of goods sold increased $113,203,000, or 23%, as compared with 1996, while
the overall gross margin increased slightly from 21.3% to 21.5% in 1997. The
gross margin increased due to higher sales of the Company's branded products as
a percent of total consolidated net sales (which carry a higher margin than
partner brands) and an increase in the gross margin for Company products due to
lower dairy costs. These improvements were offset by lower margins on partner
brand sales due to a shift in the mix of partner brand products sold.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased as a percentage of net
sales from 17.8% for the first three quarters of 1996 compared with 18.3% for
the same period in 1997. The increase of $29,898,000, or 27%, related primarily
to significantly higher trade promotion expenses in the first three quarters of
1997 compared with the same period in 1996.


                                       11

<PAGE>   12

Interest expense in the first three quarters of 1997 was $1,225,000, or 18%,
higher than in the same period in the prior year due primarily to additional
interest expense from the issuance of senior notes in the second quarter of
1996, partially offset by a reduction in interest expense due to lower average
borrowings on the Company's line of credit.

Income taxes increased reflecting a higher pre-tax income, while the effective
tax rate increased from 38.4% for the first three quarters of 1996 to 39.3% for
the first three quarters of 1997.


                                       12

<PAGE>   13

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     Working capital at September 27, 1997 increased $35,119,000 from year-end
1996 due primarily to the seasonal increase in accounts receivable and
inventories partially offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued
liabilities. Cash was provided primarily from borrowings on the Company's long
term line of credit and was used to fund a $25,159,000 increase in property,
plant and equipment.

At September 27, 1997, the Company had $4,941,000 in cash and cash equivalents,
and an unused credit line of $67,300,000. The Company believes that its credit
line, along with its liquid resources, internally generated cash and financing
capacity, are adequate to meet anticipated operating and capital requirements.

On October 3, 1997, the Company converted its Series B redeemable, convertible
preferred stock to Series A redeemable, convertible preferred stock. (See Note 6
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

On October 23, 1997, the stockholders of the Company approved a two-for-one
common stock split for holders of record on October 30, 1997. Earnings per share
information appearing in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations has been restated to
reflect this stock split on a retroactive basis. (See Note 4 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.)



                                       13


<PAGE>   14

PART II:  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM    4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

           On October 23, 1997, the Company held a Special Meeting of
           Stockholders. A total of 15,495,621 shares (94.64%) of the
           outstanding shares were represented at the meeting whether by person
           or by proxy, including the shares of common stock into which the
           outstanding shares of Series B Redeemable, Convertible Preferred
           Stock were convertible on the record date for the meeting. The sole
           matter submitted to a vote of the security holders at the meeting was
           the approval of the Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of
           the Company to increase the authorized number of shares of common
           stock, $1.00 par value, from 30,000,000 to 60,000,000 and to effect a
           two-for-one split of the Company's common stock.

           The amendment and split was approved with 12,427,331 affirmative
           votes cast. The number of negative votes cast was 3,058,896. The
           number of votes abstaining was 9,394.

ITEM    6. EXHIBITS AND REPORT ON FORM 8-K

        a. No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company during the quarter
           ended September 27, 1997.

        b. Exhibits

Exhibit No.                                        Description

10.1       Fourth Amendment to Note Agreement dated as of June 10, 1997
           between Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and each of Massachusetts
           Mutual Life Insurance Company, MML Pension Insurance Company, the
           Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Equitable Life
           Assurance Society of the United States, and Transamerica Occidental
           Life Insurance Company (together, the "Lenders"), amending the Note
           Agreements dated as of March 15, 1991 between Dreyer's Grand Ice
           Cream, Inc. and each of the Lenders.

11         Computation of Net Income Per Common Share.

27         Financial Data Schedule.

                                       14


<PAGE>   15

                                   SIGNATURES


   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                            DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM, INC.






Dated:  November 11, 1997                  By: /s/ T. GARY ROGERS
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               T. Gary Rogers
                                               Chairman of the Board and 
                                                   Chief Executive Officer and
                                                   Acting Chief Financial 
                                                   Officer