Think you can make money selling ice cream without eating all the profits? Cold Stone Creamery consistently scores at the top of the ice cream spectrum ranking No. 1 in its category in 2007, according to Entrepreneur Magazine. Cold Stone Creamery is the place where patrons can find a wide variety of flavors and “mix-in” toppings that are combined by hand on slabs of granite that owners, Don and Susan Sutherland, have christened, “The Stone.” They also offer Shakes, Smoothies, and Signature Cakes along with 8 flavors of “Grab-n-go” pre-packaged ice creams.
Background and Benefits
This 20-year-old company touts proven stability and is known for having high-quality ingredients. Patrons love that their favorite topping can be incorporated right into the ice cream as an option to being sprinkled on top. Growth is steady at over 1300 new franchises every year. Cold Stone Creamery ice cream is made fresh daily right in the store and is categorized by industry experts as “super premium.” Cold Stone Creamery is also known for its community fundraisers and charity work. This creates a positive national presence that brings increased consumer support for the Company that wants to be knows as the “Ultimate Ice Cream Experience.”
How Much Does a Cold Stone Creamery Franchise Cost?
Your $42,000 Franchise fee gets you 11 days of training at HQ plus another 3 days at your location with Ongoing Market Support consisting of Internet, Purchasing Co-operatives, National Media, Regional Advertising, Ad Slicks, a Grand Opening, and more. Cost of Entry runs between $294,250 and $438,850. This will build, equip, and stock your store. Average store earnings run around $381,000 and current franchisees are encouraged to discuss their individual store earning with you. Cold Stone Creamery’s Area Developers and Real Estate Teams assist in every aspect of finding premium store locations.
What We Like
Everybody loves ice cream and Cold Stone Creamery is like “dinner and a show” to loyal patrons. Employees dip delicious, high-quality Ice cream out of its container and mash it down onto a cold slab of granite. Then assorted fruit, nuts, candies, cookies, brownies, and anything else you can think of are blended into the mix by hand with the skill and speed of a Japanese Teppan Yaki chef, but without the flame. Research shows that seasonality is not a factor for this business as forerunners Baskin-Robbins and 70-year-old Massachusetts-based Friendly Ice-Cream Corporation proved back in 1935. The fact is, American’s enjoy eating ice cream anytime of the year.
Pros
- Ranking - Ranked No. 1 in its category in 2007.
- Funding - SBA loves this company and financing is available for all but the $42,000 franchising fee.
- Extensive Advertising - The Company provides National and Local Advertising for each location with better than normal Branding Support.
Cons
- Operations - Absentee ownership is NOT allowed, and at 15 employees per unit, a high number of employees are required to keep the doors open.
- High Prices - $4 for a scoop of ice cream can cause an issue especially in a bad economy.
Cold Stone Creamery Franchise Information
Business Established: 1988Franchising Since: 1994
Start-up Cost: $42,000
Total Investment: $294,250 to $438,850
