The ice cream sector remains one of the most resilient categories in food service, supported by strong consumer demand, broad demographic appeal, and highly repeatable purchasing behavior.
The brands in this ranking range from legacy national chains to fast-growing specialty concepts, each offering different operational models—from mobile trucks to premium scoop shops and high-volume QSR hybrids.
To highlight the strongest opportunities in today’s market, we evaluated each franchise on investment efficiency, affordability, system growth, and network scale. The following franchises stand out for their stability, financial performance, and overall attractiveness for prospective operators.
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1969
$1,516,000 - $2,543,000
$1,355,000
976
$307,000 - $623,000
$521,000
1816
$179,000 - $227,000
$0
514
$786,000 - $2,754,000
$1,834,000
117
$311,000 - $936,000
$959,000
205
$409,000 - $2,644,000
$673,000
78
$103,000 - $696,000
$532,000
252
$333,000 - $514,000
$251,000
601
$264,000 - $314,000
$0
29
$243,000 - $645,000
$631,000
Dairy Queen is a fast-food franchise known for its soft-serve ice cream, Blizzard treats, and burgers, offering a menu of indulgent treats and satisfying meals.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
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$1,355,000
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n.a.
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Dairy Queen is a mature QSR dessert brand with one of the largest footprints in the category, supported by strong brand recognition and diversified menus. It ranks first due to its combination of stability, system scale, and solid returns relative to investment.
Why it ranks well:
Dairy Queen delivers one of the strongest revenue performances in the category with an AUV of $1,355,000, which helps offset its higher build-out cost. Its massive network of 1,986+ units provides credibility, operational support, and long-term staying power.
Key points:
Baskin-Robbins is an ice cream and frozen dessert franchise that offers a wide variety of ice cream flavors and frozen treats, providing a sweet and indulgent experience for ice cream lovers.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
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$521,000
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n.a.
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Baskin-Robbins is one of the most recognized ice cream brands globally, attracting steady consumer traffic across a broad demographic. It ranks highly thanks to strong unit economics and a mature operating system.
Why it ranks well:
With an AUV of $521,000 and a moderate average investment, Baskin-Robbins achieves an appealing revenue-to-investment balance. Its network scale of nearly 1,000 units underscores strong market demand and a proven model.
Key points:
Mobile shaved ice truck franchise bringing tropical-flavored shaved ice treats to events and communities, offering a refreshing and customizable dessert experience.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
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$0
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n.a.
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Kona Ice operates a mobile shaved ice model with low overhead and strong community engagement, making it one of the most affordable entries in the segment.
Why it ranks well:
Despite a low investment of $203,000, Kona Ice benefits from excellent scale (1,816 units) and low operating costs. Although no AUV is disclosed, the model is known for exceptional margins due to mobility, simplicity, and minimal labor.
Key points:
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers serves classic American fare, including steakburgers, hot dogs, and frozen custard desserts, offering a nostalgic dining experience with high-quality ingredients and made-to-order meals.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
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$1,834,000
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n.a.
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Freddy’s combines frozen custard with burgers, fries, and a broader fast-casual menu, giving it higher ticket averages than typical ice cream shops.
Why it ranks well:
Its AUV of $1,834,000 is one of the highest revenue figures of any brand on this list, supported by a broad menu and all-day sales. While the investment is high (~$1.77M), the revenue scale and strong EBITDA margins make it compelling.
Key points:
Handel's Ice Cream is a dessert franchise that offers a wide selection of premium, handcrafted ice cream flavors, providing a delightful and indulgent treat for ice cream enthusiasts.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
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$959,000
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16.4%
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Handel’s specializes in premium, made-fresh-daily ice cream, benefiting from strong consumer perception and local repeat business.
Why it ranks well:
With AUV of $969,000 on an investment around $623,500, Handel’s shows excellent revenue performance for a mid-range CAPEX model. Growth of 77% in franchise count demonstrates strong market demand.
Key points:
Bruster's Real Ice Cream offers a delightful selection of handcrafted ice creams and frozen treats, providing a delicious and indulgent experience for dessert enthusiasts of all ages.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
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$673,000
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n.a.
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Bruster’s makes premium, hand-crafted ice cream with a strong community-based store model.
Why it ranks well:
Its AUV of $334,000 is modest, but Bruster’s maintains a solid profitability structure and competitive investment for its store format. With 205 units and a payback of 2.27x, it remains a strong mid-tier performer.
Key points:
Italian ice and gelati franchise known for its refreshing frozen treats, offering a range of flavors made with real fruit, providing a cool and flavorful dessert option.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
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$532,000
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n.a.
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Jeremiah’s focuses on Italian ice and gelati, delivering a differentiated product in a crowded market.
Why it ranks well:
An AUV of $532,000 and solid system growth make Jeremiah’s an attractive option. The investment level is comparable to Baskin-Robbins while offering a unique format with strong repeat business.
Key points:
Ice cream shop franchise known for its made-to-order gourmet ice cream creations, offering a variety of flavors and mix-ins for a personalized dessert experience.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
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$251,000
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n.a.
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Marble Slab is known for its mix-in customization model and premium ice cream positioning.
Why it ranks well:
AUV of $251,000 is moderate, but the model benefits from relatively low staffing requirements and a stable unit footprint. Its investment level remains accessible compared to larger QSR-aligned brands.
Key points:
Ice cream truck franchise serving soft-serve ice cream and frozen treats, bringing a classic and nostalgic ice cream experience to neighborhoods and events.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
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$0
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n.a.
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Mister Softee is a legacy mobile soft-serve brand with strong nostalgia appeal and low overhead.
Why it ranks well:
Although AUV is not disclosed, Mister Softee ranks well due to its very large system (600+ trucks), low entry cost, and mobile margins. Its simplicity and broad market appeal keep franchisee performance consistent.
Key points:
16 Handles is a frozen yogurt chain offering a variety of self-serve frozen yogurt flavors and toppings, providing customers with a customizable and delicious dessert experience.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
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$631,000
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n.a.
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
16 Handles is a modern self-serve frozen yogurt brand that appeals to younger, urban demographics.
Why it ranks well:
Even without disclosed AUV, the concept benefits from a relatively moderate investment and strong branding. Its payback ratio of 0.70x and accessible footprint support an attractive overall ranking.
Key points:
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