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Cold Stone Creamery

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Food & Beverage
Ice Cream

Cold Stone Creamery

Cold Stone Creamery Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Cold Stone Creamery is an ice cream shop franchise known for its customizable ice cream creations made on a frozen granite stone.

Cold Stone Creamery, a cherished ice cream brand celebrated for its high-quality, handcrafted ice cream made fresh on-site, was established in 1988. It started expanding its unique ice cream offerings through franchising in 1994. The main office of Cold Stone Creamery is situated in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The brand is well-known for its engaging customer interactions and a variety of mix-in options, which enable customers to personalize their ice cream Creations™.

With a strong focus on quality and customer satisfaction, along with a significant market presence, it remains an appealing choice for those interested in investing in the frozen dessert industry.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Cold Stone Creamery offers 2 types of franchises:

Type of Franchise Amount
Cold Stone Creamery Traditional Restaurant Franchise $335,675 - $655,275
Cold Stone Creamery Non-Traditional Restaurant $120,700 - $507,275

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Cold Stone Creamery Traditional Restaurant Franchise. For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $12,000 - $27,000
Rent/Security Deposit (for 3 months) $9,750 - $19,500
Travel and Living Expenses (2 persons) while training $3,000 - $7,500
Lease Review Fee $0 - $2,500
Architectural Fees $10,000 - $21,000
Leasehold Improvements $107,000 - $292,000
Exterior Signage $10,500 - $17,000
Equipment $135,000 - $215,000
PCI Compliance Costs $150 - $1,300
Opening Inventory $8,000
Employee Uniforms $500 - $800
Grand Opening Marketing Advertising $10,000
Insurance Premiums $500 - $2,500
Permits and Licenses $2,000 - $3,000
Telephone and Utility Deposits and Hookups $250 - $1,000
Computer Training and Food Safety Certification Course $100 - $250
Miscellaneous $3,925
Depository Account $3,000
Additional Funds - 3 month initial period $20,000
Total $335,675 - $655,275

Cold Stone Creamery offers 2 types of franchises:

Type of Franchise Amount
Cold Stone Creamery Traditional Restaurant Franchise $335,675 - $655,275
Cold Stone Creamery Non-Traditional Restaurant $120,700 - $507,275

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Cold Stone Creamery Traditional Restaurant Franchise. For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $12,000 - $27,000
Rent/Security Deposit (for 3 months) $9,750 - $19,500
Travel and Living Expenses (2 persons) while training $3,000 - $7,500
Lease Review Fee $0 - $2,500
Architectural Fees $10,000 - $21,000
Leasehold Improvements $107,000 - $292,000
Exterior Signage $10,500 - $17,000
Equipment $135,000 - $215,000
PCI Compliance Costs $150 - $1,300
Opening Inventory $8,000
Employee Uniforms $500 - $800
Grand Opening Marketing Advertising $10,000
Insurance Premiums $500 - $2,500
Permits and Licenses $2,000 - $3,000
Telephone and Utility Deposits and Hookups $250 - $1,000
Computer Training and Food Safety Certification Course $100 - $250
Miscellaneous $3,925
Depository Account $3,000
Additional Funds - 3 month initial period $20,000
Total $335,675 - $655,275

Cold Stone Creamery

2025

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training 

Cold Stone Creamery prioritizes the success of its franchisees by providing an extensive training program.

Here’s an overview of their training methodology:

The program allows for the participation of two individuals, covered under the Initial Franchise Fee, with at least one participant required to hold an ownership stake in the franchise.

The training consists of two primary parts:

  1. In-Store Training: This hands-on training lasts around 80 hours and is conducted at a designated training store in Arizona or another location specified by the franchisor.
  2. New Owner Training: Lasting approximately 40 hours, this training can be completed either online or in person. If conducted in person, it takes place at the Franchisor's training and education center in Scottsdale, Arizona, or another location determined by the franchisor.

Territory Protection

The franchise is assigned specifically for the location outlined in the Franchise Agreement or a location approved by Cold Stone Creamery. The exact site for the Cold Stone Creamery restaurant requires the franchisor's approval.

Cold Stone Creamery commits to not unreasonably withholding approval of the proposed location. However, franchisees are not granted exclusive territorial rights. They may encounter competition from other franchisees, company-owned restaurants, or other distribution channels or competing brands managed by Cold Stone Creamery.

Competitors

Below are some of

Cold Stone Creamery

key competitors in the

Ice Cream

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Sign up
Gross Profit
Sign up
EBITDA
Sign up

992

New
+
9%
9%

$27,000

$121,000

$655,000

n.a.

$587,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Fosters Freeze

Fosters Freeze is a quick-service restaurant franchise offering burgers, sandwiches, and soft-serve desserts, serving families and everyday diners, and known for California heritage, nostalgic drive-in vibes, and a menu of classic comfort food and signature soft-serve treats enjoyed across generations.

Franchisees

?

61
+
-5%
-5%
Investment

?

$178,000 - $1,009,000

The Dolly Llama

The Dolly Llama is a dessert franchise offering Belgian waffles, waffle cones, and artisan ice cream, serving families, students, and social media–savvy dessert lovers, and known for over-the-top creations, Instagram-ready presentation, and a fun, modern café environment.

Franchisees

?

3
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$162,000 - $473,000

I Scream Gelato

I Scream Gelato is a gelato-and-dessert franchise offering artisan gelato, sorbets and Italian-style sweets, serving families and dessert fans, and known for handcrafted product, high-quality ingredients and upscale café ambience.

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$224,000 - $452,000

Tipsy Scoop

Tipsy Scoop is a dessert-bar franchise offering alcohol-infused ice creams and boozy creations in a social lounge setting, serving young adults and nightlife patrons, and known for inventive flavors, trendy atmosphere, and strong franchise growth opportunities.

Franchisees

?

2
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$224,000 - $348,000

Yogurtland

Yogurtland is a self-serve frozen-yogurt franchise offering premium flavors, toppings, customization and café environment, serving dessert lovers and families, and known for global reach, brand strength and franchisee-friendly model.

Franchisees

?

194
+
-3%
-3%
Investment

?

$232,000 - $637,000

MILLIE’S HOMEMADE

MILLIE’S HOMEMADE is a bakery-café franchise offering cookies, brownies, desserts and café beverages, serving family-friendly shoppers and gift buyers, and known for made-from-scratch recipes, warm ambiance and scalable franchise design.

Franchisees

?

4
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$65,000 - $485,000

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