KEY FRANCHISE STATS
?
?
?
?
$135,000
Pelican's SnoBalls has revolutionized shaved ice with its unique style and wide array of flavors. The brand's journey started in 2001 in Garner, North Carolina, when 13-year-old founder Ansley Johnson, inspired by her Louisiana summers, decided to bring the joy of SnoBalls to others. Unlike traditional snow cones, SnoBalls are softer and fluffier, offering a delightful twist on the classic treat.
The name "Pelican's" honors the Louisiana state bird, highlighting the brand's origin and inspiration. Pelican's SnoBalls stands out with its soft, fluffy ice and bold flavors, setting it apart from the typical crunchy snow cones found at fairs.
Since its inception, the brand has grown from a small local shop to a nationally recognized franchise. Pelican's SnoBalls remains committed to its original mission of providing the "World's Best SnoBall" and excellent customer service. The franchise is known for being an affordable, high-quality treat, proving its resilience during economic challenges like the 2008 recession and the 2020 pandemic.
Pelican's SnoBalls also distinguishes itself through its community-focused approach. Each franchise is independently owned and operated, fostering local engagement and a strong sense of community.
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.
Create an account to access 2,500+ franchises financial data and unlimited FDDs. For more information see our plans here.
Upgrade to Pro to access more data and download FDDs. For more information see our plans here.
Create an account to access and download this FDD. For more information, see our plans here.
Pelican's SnoBalls ensures its franchisees are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for success through a thorough training program.
Initial Training Program
Franchisees undergo an initial training program that is fundamental to the franchising process. This program is designed to prepare franchisees to operate their store in alignment with Pelican's SnoBalls' high standards.
Continuing Training
Beyond the initial training, Pelican's SnoBalls offers ongoing training programs as needed. These sessions aim to keep franchisees informed about new developments, enhance their skills, and maintain the consistent quality and performance across all franchise locations.
Additional Training
Franchisees can request extra training for their employees, which Pelican's SnoBalls can provide subject to availability and relevance. This additional training may cover specific areas such as store operations, customer service, and product knowledge.
Training for Specialized Management Employees
If a franchisee or a specially trained management employee leaves their position, the franchisee must ensure that a qualified replacement enrolls in Pelican's SnoBalls' training program within a set timeframe. This requirement guarantees that the store remains under the guidance of personnel who have completed the brand's comprehensive training and adhere to its standards.
Pelican's SnoBalls provides territorial protection to its franchisees, ensuring a degree of exclusivity in their operating area.
Under the terms of the Agreement, Pelican's SnoBalls commits not to establish or license another Store within the franchisee's "Protected Territory," as outlined in Exhibit A of the franchise agreement. This protection is subject to the conditions specified in the agreement, including corporate and commercial food service operations and other sales channels.
This territorial protection is intended to grant franchisees a level of exclusivity, preventing the franchisor from directly competing by opening additional stores within the defined territory.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
Below are some of
Pelican's SnoBalls
key competitors in the
Ice Cream
sector.
199
$20,000
$71,000
$210,000
n.a.
$135,000
$xxx,xxx
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is an artisan ice-cream franchise offering creatively flavored pints, scoops, and ice cream sandwiches, serving adventurous dessert lovers, and known for premium ingredients, chef-crafted recipes, and scoop shops that feel bright, welcoming, and community-focused.
?
?
Morelia Gourmet Paletas is an experiential dessert franchise offering handcrafted ice cream paletas, serving guests seeking premium, customizable treats, and known for its dip-and-top bar, natural ingredients, and vibrant, Instagram-friendly shops that turn popsicles into interactive desserts.
?
?
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.
?
?
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.
?
?
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.
?
?
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.
?
?
Choosing a franchise goes beyond reviewing fees and financials — it requires an honest assessment of your goals, skills, and risk tolerance. This article outlines the key questions prospective owners should ask before committing. It helps clarify whether the opportunity aligns with your lifestyle, long-term plans, and operational preferences.
Speaking with current and former franchisees is one of the most reliable ways to understand how a franchise really operates. This guide explains how to conduct validation calls, what questions to ask, and how to identify patterns in feedback. It provides a practical framework for uncovering real performance expectations and support quality.
Not all franchise opportunities offer the same potential. This article breaks down how to evaluate a brand’s industry, financial health, support systems, and competitive positioning. It helps prospective buyers compare options and identify franchises with strong long-term viability.
A clear, well-structured business plan is essential for securing financing and preparing for the realities of franchise ownership. This article explains how to build a plan that covers market analysis, operations, staffing, and local marketing. It also outlines how to create realistic pro forma financials, including revenue projections, startup costs, and break-even analysis. Readers gain a practical framework they can use when applying for loans or planning their first years of operations.
.png)
