Abbott's Frozen Custard Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Abbott's Frozen Custard is a sweet treat franchise known for its rich and creamy frozen custard, made fresh daily and served with a smile.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

20%

Franchise fee

$37,000

Investment

$494,000 - $1,796,000

Revenue (AUV)

$334,000

-11.9%

Founded in 1902 by Arthur W. Abbott, Abbott's Frozen Custard began as a traveling venture along the Eastern Seaboard, where Arthur perfected his secret frozen dessert recipe while working with small carnivals.

In 1926, he established a permanent stand in Rochester, New York, at the corner of Lake and Beach Avenues near Ontario Beach Park. The company has remained true to its roots, with its headquarters still located in Rochester today.

Abbott's began franchising in 1977, opening its first franchise on Ridge Road in Rochester. Since then, the brand has grown steadily, expanding its presence to several states, including Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

The franchise is known for its signature frozen custard, which is made fresh daily in small batches using a secret family recipe and ingredients sourced directly from dairy farms.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Abbott's Frozen Custard franchise is $494,000 - $1,796,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$37,000
Operational Equipment	$256,100 - $273,200
Exterior Signs	$6,500 - $25,000
Stand Design Costs	$25,000 - $55,000
Real Estate & Improvements	$114,400 - $1,300,000
Opening Inventory	$18,000 - $28,000
Initial Advertising	$5,000 - $10,000
Travel and Lodging Costs Related to Initial Training	$1,200 - $3,000
Utilities	$3,000 - $7,500
Office Supplies	$500
Insurance Premiums	$2,500 - $7,000
Additional Funds – 3 months	$25,000 - $50,000
TOTAL	$494,200 - $1,796,200

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$37,000
Operational Equipment	$256,100 - $273,200
Exterior Signs	$6,500 - $25,000
Stand Design Costs	$25,000 - $55,000
Real Estate & Improvements	$114,400 - $1,300,000
Opening Inventory	$18,000 - $28,000
Initial Advertising	$5,000 - $10,000
Travel and Lodging Costs Related to Initial Training	$1,200 - $3,000
Utilities	$3,000 - $7,500
Office Supplies	$500
Insurance Premiums	$2,500 - $7,000
Additional Funds – 3 months	$25,000 - $50,000
TOTAL	$494,200 - $1,796,200

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is Abbott's Frozen Custard's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

Abbott's Frozen Custard had 30 total units in 2025, of which 24 were franchised-owned and 6 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

Abbott's Frozen Custard

key competitors in the

Ice Cream

sector.

Franchise

New

20%

5.50%

$494,000

$1,796,000

$334,000

n.a.

U-Swirl

$200K - $500K

New

-20%

6.00%

$419,000

$630,000

n.a.

I Scream Gelato

$200K - $500K

New

n.a.

6.00%

$224,000

$452,000

$654,000

8.8%

Mister Softee

$200K - $500K

601

New

$3,855 per year

$264,000

$314,000

n.a.

Paciugo Gelato Caffe

$100K - $200K

New

-4%

6.00%

$110,000

$612,000

n.a.

Winchell's Donut House

Under $25K

105

New

5.00%

$3,000

$72,000

n.a.

Fosters Freeze

$100K - $200K

New

-5%

4%–8%

$178,000

$1,009,000

$1,265,000

n.a.

Training

Abbott’s Frozen Custard provides a structured training program for its franchisees to ensure consistent operation and quality across all locations. The types of training offered by the Franchisor are as follows:

Initial Training Program: This mandatory training must be completed at least ten days before the opening of the franchised unit. It includes instruction in equipment operation, product serving, office administration, and general business operation tasks. The program typically spans five consecutive business days but continues until the participants are deemed qualified. It can be held at Abbott's headquarters in Rochester, NY, or at the franchisee's location.
Classroom and On-the-Job Training:
- Franchise Operation and Sanitation: 2 hours of classroom training and 30 hours of on-the-job training focused on customer relations and inventory handling.
- Production of Product: 2 hours of classroom instruction and 23 hours of hands-on training covering product preparation.
- Office Administration: 4 hours of classroom instruction and 2 hours of practical training focusing on bookkeeping and recordkeeping.
Ongoing and Optional Training Programs: Abbott's may occasionally offer additional training, which could be mandatory or optional. These programs might revisit initial training topics and are typically three days long. Optional programs may incur additional fees and can be conducted online or at a designated location.
Training for Managers and Staff: Any designated manager or assistant manager must also complete the initial training to the Franchisor’s satisfaction. All staff members are required to meet minimum training standards to properly prepare and serve Abbott’s products.

Territory Protection

Abbott’s Frozen Custard does not provide exclusive territory protection to its franchisees. Franchisees are granted rights to operate at a specific approved location only and cannot relocate without prior written consent.

The franchisor may establish other franchises, company-owned outlets, or distribute products through other channels—even near the franchisee's location—without offering any compensation. This includes sales through supermarkets, convenience stores, or the Internet.