Dippin' Dots Franchising
Specialty ice cream, frozen yogurt, ices, sherbertBackground
Founded: 1988 Franchising since: 2000
Research biotechnologist Curt Jones used his expertise in cryogenic freezing processes to find new ways to produce ice cream. After nearly a year of experimenting with the idea of flash-freezing his family's homemade ice cream, Jones created and sold his first cups of Dippin' Dots ice cream in 1988.
Franchisor is a privately-held company with 0 employee(s); 14 employee(s) in franchise department.
Franchise Growth
Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, United states, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Outside the U.S.: Canada
Research biotechnologist Curt Jones used his expertise in cryogenic freezing processes to find new ways to produce ice cream. After nearly a year of experimenting with the idea of flash-freezing his family's homemade ice cream, Jones created and sold his first cups of Dippin' Dots ice cream in 1988.
Because of Jones' flash-freezing process, Dippin' Dots ice cream forms into little balls (hence the term "dots"), but unlike freeze-dried products, the ice cream can still melt.
|
1640 McCracken Blvd., #100 Paducah, Kentucky 42001 |
Phone: (270)575-6990 |
Franchisor is a privately-held company with 0 employee(s); 14 employee(s) in franchise department.
Franchise Growth
| Year | U.S. Franchises | Canadian Franchises | Foreign Franchises | Company Owned |
| 2009 | 486 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2008 | 420 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2007 | 441 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2006 | 448 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2005 | 635 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, United states, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Outside the U.S.: Canada
Costs and Fees
|
Total investment: $80.4K-235.3K Franchise fee: $12.5K |
Ongoing royalty fee: 4% Term of agreement: 5 years, renewable |
Type of Financing Available
| In-House | Third Party | |
| Franchise Fee | No | No |
| Startup Costs | No | No |
| Equipment | No | No |
| Inventory | No | No |
| Accounts Receivable | No | No |
| Payroll | No | No |
Qualifications
Net worth requirement: Varies
Cash liquidity requirement: Varies
Business Experience:
- General business experience
- Marketing skills
- Food-related business experience preferred
Operations
- 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit
- Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 3
- Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (80% of current franchisees are owner/operators)
Training and Support
Training
Ongoing Support
Marketing Support
- Available at headquarters: 3 days
- At franchisee's location: 2 days
Ongoing Support
- Newsletter
- Meetings
- Grand opening
- Internet
- Security/safety procedures
- Field operations/evaluations
Marketing Support
- Ad slicks
- National media
Rankings
Franchise 500® rank:
#175 (2009); #112 (2008); #93 (2005);
Top New Ranking:
#2 (2005);
America's Top Global Franchises:
#136 (2009);
#175 (2009); #112 (2008); #93 (2005);
Top New Ranking:
#2 (2005);
America's Top Global Franchises:
#136 (2009);