Ben & Jerry's is renowned for its delicious and innovative ice cream flavors, offering a wide range of unique and indulgent creations made with high-quality ingredients, providing a delightful treat for ice cream lovers worldwide.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
152
+
-2%
-2%
Franchise fee
?
$39,500
Investment
?
$157,000 - $551,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$612,000
+
16.2%
16.2%
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Ben & Jerry’s has carved out a distinctive niche in the frozen dessert industry by pairing imaginative ice cream with a deeply rooted commitment to social causes. Launched in 1978 by founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in Burlington, Vermont — where the company is still headquartered — the brand began franchising its Scoop Shops in 1981.
Franchisees are invited to join a business that’s about more than just ice cream. Known for its bold and playful flavors, Ben & Jerry’s also champions a purpose-driven model that promotes fairness and sustainability. The company emphasizes ethical sourcing, supports small-scale farmers, and operates with an eye toward environmental responsibility.
This values-first approach is what sets Ben & Jerry’s apart in a crowded market. Today, with more than 600 Scoop Shops across the globe, the company continues to grow its U.S. franchise network, seeking partners who are passionate about both community engagement and positive change.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Ben & Jerry's franchise is
$157,000 - $551,000.
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.
Ben & Jerry’s offers 3 types of franchises:
Shop Type
Initial Investment Range
Full-Sized Shop
$238,800 to $550,800
In-Line Shop
$206,800 to $386,300
Kiosk Scoop Shop
$156,900 to $333,300
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Ben & Jerry’s franchised Full-Sized Shop. For more information on costs required to start a Ben & Jerry’s franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Preliminary Agreement Deposit
$5,000 – $10,000
Initial Franchise Fee
$8,000 (Satellite); $19,750 to $39,500 (Franchise)
Plans, Development & Permits
$3,500 to $12,000
Leasehold Improvements & Construction
$85,000 to $230,000
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment, Casework, and Smallwares
$65,000 to $135,000
Signage
$5,000 to $17,500
Professional Fees
$3,000 to $6,000
POS
$1,800 to $2,300
Online Ordering System Hardware
$1,000 to $1,500
Internet Connectivity, and Telephone
$1,000 to $1,500
Deposits
$3,000 to $8,000
Initial Training
$1,000 to $3,000
Inventory
$8,000 to $14,000
Insurance
$500 to $2,500
Grand Opening Advertising
$3,000
Additional Funds (3 months)
$50,000 to $75,000
TOTAL
$238,800 to $550,800
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Ben & Jerry’s offers 3 types of franchises:
Shop Type
Initial Investment Range
Full-Sized Shop
$238,800 to $550,800
In-Line Shop
$206,800 to $386,300
Kiosk Scoop Shop
$156,900 to $333,300
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Ben & Jerry’s franchised Full-Sized Shop. For more information on costs required to start a Ben & Jerry’s franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Preliminary Agreement Deposit
$5,000 – $10,000
Initial Franchise Fee
$8,000 (Satellite); $19,750 to $39,500 (Franchise)
Plans, Development & Permits
$3,500 to $12,000
Leasehold Improvements & Construction
$85,000 to $230,000
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment, Casework, and Smallwares
$65,000 to $135,000
Signage
$5,000 to $17,500
Professional Fees
$3,000 to $6,000
POS
$1,800 to $2,300
Online Ordering System Hardware
$1,000 to $1,500
Internet Connectivity, and Telephone
$1,000 to $1,500
Deposits
$3,000 to $8,000
Initial Training
$1,000 to $3,000
Inventory
$8,000 to $14,000
Insurance
$500 to $2,500
Grand Opening Advertising
$3,000
Additional Funds (3 months)
$50,000 to $75,000
TOTAL
$238,800 to $550,800
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Ben & Jerry's's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Ben & Jerry's had 154 total units in 2025, of which 152 were franchised-owned and 2 company-owned.
Ben & Jerry’s provides a comprehensive suite of training programs to support its franchisees throughout their journey. These programs include:
Scoop U Training (Initial Training Program) Ben & Jerry’s offers a foundational training course called Scoop University (“Scoop U”), mandatory for up to three trainees before opening a new Scoop Shop. This training may be conducted in-person or virtually, depending on the circumstances, and covers essential aspects of shop operations.
Opening Training Following the completion of Scoop U, franchisees receive additional support tailored to their evaluated readiness. This training focuses on the company’s history, food preparation, sanitation, equipment maintenance, customer service, cake decoration, POS system usage, and the implementation of initial business systems.
Follow-Up Training Franchisees, managers, and designated employees may be required to attend follow-up seminars and courses. New managers must complete the Scoop U training, and all operators must attend refresher training every five years, regardless of how many shops they manage.
Territory Protection
Ben & Jerry’s provides a defined territory for each franchisee during the term of the Franchise Agreement. Within this territory, the franchisor agrees not to establish or license any other person to operate a competing Scoop Shop.
This territorial protection is not based on sales or performance metrics but solely on compliance with the Franchise Agreement. However, the franchise does retain certain reserved rights.
Ben & Jerry’s and its affiliates may operate or license businesses outside the assigned territory, including shops under the same or different branding. Moreover, no territory is granted for Satellite Shops, and the franchisor may continue other distribution methods, such as online sales and third-party deliveries, which may reach into any territory.
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