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Entrepreneur: Start & Grow Your Business

Ben & Jerry's

Ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, smoothies

Background

Founded: 1978 Franchising since: 1981
30 Community Dr.
South Burlington, Vermont 05403
Phone:
(802)846-1500


Franchisor has 120 employee(s); 27 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth
Year U.S. Franchises Canadian Franchises Foreign Franchises Company Owned
2009 383 6 456 6
2008 417 19 380 8
2007 425 21 236 11
2006 420 18 204 11
2005 416 12 177 11

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, Midwest, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, Northeast, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Southeast, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia
Outside the U.S.: Asia, Australia/new zealand, Canada, Eastern europe, Mexico, Western europe

Exclusive territories available.

Costs and Fees

Total investment: $173.3K-438.9K
Franchise fee: $8K-32K
Ongoing royalty fee: 3%
Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable
Express/kiosk option available

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: $350K+
Cash liquidity requirement: $80K+
Business Experience:
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

Operations
  • 75% of all franchisees own more than one unit
  • Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training and Support

Training
  • Available at headquarters: 11 days
  • At franchisee's location: 3-5 days

Ongoing Support
  • Newsletter
  • Meetings
  • Toll-free phone line
  • Grand opening
  • Internet
  • Security/safety procedures
  • Field operations/evaluations

Marketing Support
  • Co-op advertising
  • Ad slicks
  • National media
  • Regional advertising

Rankings

Franchise 500® rank:
#120 (2009); #119 (2008); #82 (2007); #65 (2006); #68 (2005);

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#45 (2006); #45 (2005);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#95 (2009); #75 (2008); #63 (2007); #54 (2006); #60 (2005);