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.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
61
+
-5%
-5%
Franchise fee
?
$45,000
Investment
?
$178,000 - $1,009,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$1,265,000
+
-4.6%
-4.6%
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Fosters Freeze is a classic American fast-food franchise known for its soft-serve ice cream, milkshakes, burgers, and other quick-service favorites. The brand was founded in 1946 by George Foster in Inglewood, California, where the first location opened and continues to operate today.
From the start, the concept blended soft-serve treats with a simple, nostalgic menu that captured the feel of post-war American drive-ins.
The company is headquartered in Pomona, California, and has remained closely tied to its California heritage. Fosters Freeze began franchising in 1946 as customer demand grew and new operators joined the system. The franchise expanded steadily across California, becoming known as a “California original” in the soft-serve and burger category.
Over the years, Fosters Freeze broadened its offerings far beyond soft-serve cones, introducing burgers, fries, sandwiches, shakes, malts, and other comfort-food staples.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Fosters Freeze franchise is
$178,000 - $1,009,000.
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.
Fosters Freeze offers 2 types of franchises:
Type of Fosters Freeze Franchised Business
Initial Investment (Low)
Initial Investment (High)
Fosters Freeze franchised business in a location serving only soft serve confections
$178,000
$331,500
Fosters Freeze franchised business in a stand-alone restaurant
$611,500
$1,009,000
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Fosters Freeze franchised business in a stand-alone restaurant.
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
$45,000 - $45,000
Restaurant Opening Assistance Fee
$12,500 - $12,500
Architecture Fee
$0 - $2,000
Design Fee
$15,000 - $30,000
Lease
$4,500 - $20,000
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
$475,000 - $750,000
Computer and Point-of-Sale Equipment
$7,500 - $25,000
Opening Inventory
$6,000 - $20,000
Security Deposits, Utility Deposits, Business Licenses and Pre-Paid Expenses
$10,000 - $50,000
Start-up Supplies
$1,000 - $2,500
Training
$4,000 - $6,000
Grand Opening Program
$1,000 - $2,000
Insurance
$2,000 - $4,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs
$8,000 - $10,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months
$20,000 - $30,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$611,500 - $1,009,000
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Fosters Freeze offers 2 types of franchises:
Type of Fosters Freeze Franchised Business
Initial Investment (Low)
Initial Investment (High)
Fosters Freeze franchised business in a location serving only soft serve confections
$178,000
$331,500
Fosters Freeze franchised business in a stand-alone restaurant
$611,500
$1,009,000
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Fosters Freeze franchised business in a stand-alone restaurant.
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
$45,000 - $45,000
Restaurant Opening Assistance Fee
$12,500 - $12,500
Architecture Fee
$0 - $2,000
Design Fee
$15,000 - $30,000
Lease
$4,500 - $20,000
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
$475,000 - $750,000
Computer and Point-of-Sale Equipment
$7,500 - $25,000
Opening Inventory
$6,000 - $20,000
Security Deposits, Utility Deposits, Business Licenses and Pre-Paid Expenses
$10,000 - $50,000
Start-up Supplies
$1,000 - $2,500
Training
$4,000 - $6,000
Grand Opening Program
$1,000 - $2,000
Insurance
$2,000 - $4,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs
$8,000 - $10,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months
$20,000 - $30,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$611,500 - $1,009,000
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Fosters Freeze's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Fosters Freeze had 61 total units in 2024, of which 61 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Fosters Freeze provides a comprehensive training program to prepare franchisees and their management staff for successfully operating a restaurant:
Initial Training: The franchise offers initial training at no cost for up to two attendees—typically the Operating Principal and Designated Manager. This training includes classroom and on-the-job sessions covering management, food handling, cost control, product preparation, and compliance with Cal-OSHA requirements.
Opening Assistance: Up to seven days of on-site support is provided around the time of restaurant opening. Depending on the restaurant type (Stand-Alone, Confections, or Co-Located), the number of trainers and level of support varies to ensure a successful launch.
Remedial Training: If operational deficiencies are observed, franchisees and their staff may be required to attend mandatory remedial training. This training targets specific compliance and performance issues and must be paid for by the franchisee.
Additional Training: Upon request, Fosters Freeze may offer optional training sessions at a franchisee’s location or at the corporate offices, subject to additional fees. The franchisee covers all associated costs including travel, lodging, and per-person training fees.
Territory Protection
Fosters Freeze provides a limited form of territory protection to franchisees operating Stand-Alone Restaurants. These franchisees receive a non-exclusive "Protected Area," typically defined as a half-mile radius around their approved location. Within this Protected Area, as long as the franchisee remains in compliance with the agreement, the franchisor will not open or authorize another Stand-Alone Fosters Freeze location.
However, this protection does not apply to Co-Located or Confections Restaurants, which receive no protected territory. Even within a Protected Area, the franchisor reserves the right to open or authorize Non-Traditional, Co-Branded, or Confections Restaurants, and to distribute products through other channels like the Internet, catalogs, or wholesale outlets.
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