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
Franchisees
?
165
+
41%
41%
Franchise fee
?
$50,000
Investment
?
$405,000 - $1,044,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$1,053,000
+
n.a.
n.a.
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Established in 1945 in Youngstown, Ohio, Handel's Ice Cream has become a beloved purveyor of homemade ice cream. The company began franchising in 1989 and has since expanded to over 100 locations across the United States.
Handel's offers a diverse menu of freshly made ice cream, sherbet, ices, and yogurt, all crafted daily on-site using high-quality ingredients.
Handel's sets itself apart by adhering to time-honored recipes and small-batch production methods, ensuring exceptional flavor and quality. The franchise provides comprehensive support to its franchisees, including training, marketing, and operational assistance, fostering a cohesive and successful network.
By maintaining a steadfast commitment to quality and community engagement, Handel's Ice Cream continues to delight customers nationwide with its handcrafted treats.
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The initial investment required for a Handel's Ice Cream franchise is
$405,000 - $1,044,000.
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.
Handel’s provides two eligible standalone Parlor configurations in Item 7: a Walk-In/Walk-Up Parlor and a Walk-In/Walk-Up Parlor with Drive-Thru.
Parlor Format
Initial Investment Range
WALK-IN/WALK-UP PARLOR
$404,500 to $995,200
WALK-IN/WALK-UP PARLOR WITH DRIVE-THRU
$404,500 to $1,043,700
The following table presents the estimated expenditures for the WALK-IN/WALK-UP PARLOR.
For further details concerning the listed costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$50,000
Real Property
$0 to $39,000 (total for 3 months)
Construction Costs
$109,000 to $450,000
Signage and Outdoor Fixtures
$10,000 to $39,200
Equipment
$187,000 to $249,000
Opening Advertising
$1,000 to $10,000
Pre-Opening Salaries and Travel Expenses
$300 to $25,000
Start-up Supplies
$13,000 to $30,000
Insurance
$1,200 to $8,000
Utility Deposits
$1,000 to $15,000
Architect Design
$10,000 to $25,000
Professional Fees
$2,000 to $5,000
Additional Funds
$20,000 to $50,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$404,500 to $995,200
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Handel’s provides two eligible standalone Parlor configurations in Item 7: a Walk-In/Walk-Up Parlor and a Walk-In/Walk-Up Parlor with Drive-Thru.
Parlor Format
Initial Investment Range
WALK-IN/WALK-UP PARLOR
$404,500 to $995,200
WALK-IN/WALK-UP PARLOR WITH DRIVE-THRU
$404,500 to $1,043,700
The following table presents the estimated expenditures for the WALK-IN/WALK-UP PARLOR.
For further details concerning the listed costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$50,000
Real Property
$0 to $39,000 (total for 3 months)
Construction Costs
$109,000 to $450,000
Signage and Outdoor Fixtures
$10,000 to $39,200
Equipment
$187,000 to $249,000
Opening Advertising
$1,000 to $10,000
Pre-Opening Salaries and Travel Expenses
$300 to $25,000
Start-up Supplies
$13,000 to $30,000
Insurance
$1,200 to $8,000
Utility Deposits
$1,000 to $15,000
Architect Design
$10,000 to $25,000
Professional Fees
$2,000 to $5,000
Additional Funds
$20,000 to $50,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$404,500 to $995,200
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Handel's Ice Cream's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Sign up for free to view the document.
Number of units
Handel's Ice Cream had 173 total units in 2026, of which 165 were franchised-owned and 8 company-owned.
Handel's Ice Cream provides comprehensive training to franchisees, their operating managers, and designated employees as part of its franchise model. The training includes an initial program lasting approximately 10-14 days, conducted at their headquarters or a designated training location.
This program combines personal instruction and on-the-job training, focusing on operational methods and standards.
Managers are also required to complete additional managerial training to ensure they meet Handel's operational standards. Franchisees must attend periodic ongoing training programs and may be charged fees for additional training courses.
Territory Protection
Handel's Ice Cream does not offer exclusive territorial protection to its franchisees. While a designated territory is assigned based on market factors, franchisees may still face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or franchisor-controlled channels.
The franchisor retains the right to modify or divide territories, ensuring flexibility for market expansion while franchisees must adhere to compliance requirements to maintain their territory.
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