- 2024 Franchise 500 Rank
-
#175 Ranked #164 last year
- Initial investment
-
$153K - $549K
- Units as of 2024
-
196 21% over 3 years
Chill out and enjoy the coolest treat! Ben & Jerry's is an ice-cream franchise that was started in 1978. They sell tasty ice cream, sundaes, frozen yogurt, shakes, smoothies, and sorbet flavors. The goal is for each scoop of these products to take the customer on a sweet journey. Aside from running ice cream shops, Ben & Jerry’s provides ice cream catering services and makes ice cream cakes.
Why You May Want to Start a Ben & Jerry's Franchise
Ben & Jerry's is a well-known brand and may be a favorite for many. You can leverage the brand when you operate a franchise. Part of the mission for Ben & Jerry's is to achieve sustainable economic growth. Therefore, by partnering with them, it may be possible to experience growth in your local community.
Through processes including manufacturing, ingredient sourcing, and purchasing, the Ben & Jerry's team makes decisions that positively impact their franchises in an effort to help their franchisees. They want everyone from farmers and suppliers to customers and employees to walk away smiling.
What Might Make a Ben & Jerry's Franchise a Good Choice?
To be part of the Ben & Jerry's team, you should make sure you’re financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you should be prepared for ongoing fees that will include advertising, royalty, and renewal fees. Franchisees may also need to meet the company's set net worth and liquid capital requirements.
Be aware that Ben & Jerry's does not negotiate leases or provide in-house financing for anything outside of the franchise fee. However, they have partnered with third-party sources that may help you finance startup costs, equipment finance, inventory finance, and payroll for your franchise. They also will likely provide all the support you need to find your footing. They expect you to be engaged in your business and active in daily operations to brand activation and public outreach.
How To Open a Ben & Jerry's Franchise
If you meet the qualifications and are ready to bring the Ben & Jerry's flavors to your community, you can likely open a franchise in less than a couple of months. The process starts with submitting the initial inquiry form. After this, you will likely be given access to their franchise learning center. If your form is reviewed and you are deemed to be a good fit, you may have an introductory call. Then, you can complete the application package. Next, you can review and discuss the Franchise Disclosure Document with a representative. You may also have the opportunity to interact with other franchisees to get a feel for how the business operates.
As you decide if opening a Ben & Jerry's franchise is the right opportunity for you, make sure you take time to explore the opportunity. Research the brand and your local area to see if a Ben & Jerry's franchise would do well in your community. If there are multiple other ice cream businesses in your area, then you may want to reconsider the location in terms of opening a Ben & Jerry’s franchise.
After your location is approved, you can add a little sweetness to everyone who walks through your doors with the newest Ben & Jerry's franchise.
Company Overview
About Ben & Jerry's
Business Overview
Franchising Since | 1981 (43 years) |
---|---|
# of employees at HQ | 85 |
Where seeking |
This company is offering new franchises in the following US states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin This company is offering new franchises in the following international regions: Australia/New Zealand, Europe (Western), Canada |
# of Units | 196 (as of 2024) |
|
Information for Franchisees
Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Ben & Jerry's franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
Initial Franchise Fee
|
$18,000 - $39,500 |
---|---|
Initial Investment
|
$153,200 - $549,300 |
Net Worth Requirement
|
$350,000 |
Cash Requirement
|
$100,000 |
Royalty Fee
|
3%-5% |
Ad Royalty Fee
|
4% |
Term of Agreement
|
10 years |
Is franchise term renewable? | Yes |
Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
On-The-Job Training | 4 hours |
---|---|
Classroom Training | 20 hours |
Ongoing Support |
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Franchisee Intranet Platform
|
Marketing Support |
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing
Loyalty Program/App
|
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
Is absentee ownership allowed? | No |
---|---|
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
|
No |
Can this franchise be run part time?
|
Yes |
Are exclusive territories available?
|
Yes |
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where Ben & Jerry's landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Additional Rankings
Curious to know where Ben & Jerry's ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.
Sign Up for Our Franchise Newsletter
Stay up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the franchise industry.
Related Franchises
Are you eager to see what else is out there? Browse franchises that are similar to Ben & Jerry's.
Related Franchise Content
Catch up on the latest franchise news, trends, and more.
Discover the Low-Risk, High Reward of Owning this Property Restoration Franchise
PuroClean offers multiple revenue streams with services related to water, fire, smoke, mold and biohazard damage.
McDonald's Announces the Return of the Snack Wrap in 2025 — Here's What to Expect From Its Comeback
The decision comes after years of persistent customer demand for the portable snack, which debuted nearly two decades ago.
Ready to Own a Business? Check Out These 15 Franchises You Can Start For Under $25K
Looking for an inexpensive franchise to open? Explore the best franchises under $25k, according to the 2024 Franchise 500 Ranking.
Why Opening a Second Location Requires a Fresh Strategy (Even If Your First Was a Hit)
Here are some key points to consider before adding another location to your burgeoning multi-unit brand.
Jeff's Bagel Run Offers a Dynamic, Rapidly Expanding Franchise Concept!
Jeff's Bagel Run franchisees provide their customers with a unique and high-quality product offering that includes bagels made from scratch and custom coffee programs.
Subway's CEO Steps Down Amid a Major Transition for the Sandwich Giant
John Chidsey will step down at the end of 2024, marking the close of a transformative five-year tenure.