Sweetfrog

Home
Food & Beverage
Ice Cream

Sweetfrog

Food & Beverage
Ice Cream

Sweetfrog Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Sweetfrog is a self-serve frozen yogurt chain that offers a variety of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings, allowing customers to create their own custom yogurt creations in a fun and interactive environment.

SweetFrog is a self-serve frozen yogurt franchise that lets customers take control of their dessert creations. Established in 2009 by Derek Cha in Richmond, Virginia, the brand quickly gained momentum and began franchising in 2012. Its rapid growth has led to a strong presence both across the United States and in select international markets.

Headquartered in Richmond, SweetFrog offers a wide range of high-quality frozen yogurt flavors. Customers can mix and match from a diverse lineup of toppings, including fresh fruits, crunchy nuts, and colorful candies, ensuring every visit feels fresh and unique.

The self-serve format is central to SweetFrog’s identity, giving guests the freedom to build their dessert just the way they like it. This interactive model, paired with the brand’s colorful, family-friendly store atmosphere and cheerful mascots, creates a fun and welcoming environment for visitors of all ages.

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.

SweetFrog offers 3 types of franchises:

Type of Restaurant Initial Investment Range
SweetFrog Traditional Restaurant $256,500 to $658,500
Non-Traditional Restaurant (Kiosk & Standard Counter Floorplan) $111,350 to $394,500
Non-Traditional Restaurant (Vehicle) $122,900 to $285,300

‍

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a SweetFrog Traditional Restaurant. For more information on the costs required to start a SweetFrog franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $15,000 – $30,000
Leasehold Improvements/Construction $115,000 – $262,000
Lease Review Fee (Optional) $0 – $2,500
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment, including soft-serve machines $62,000 – $242,000
Lease, Security Deposits $3,000 – $12,000
Utility Deposits $500 – $2,000
Design and Architectural/Engineering Fees $7,500 – $20,000
Interior and Exterior Signage; Décor Package $7,500 – $17,000
Other Equipment $1,500 – $3,500
Grand Opening Marketing $10,000
Expenses during Initial Training $1,000 – $2,000
Insurance $2,000 – $5,000
Business Licenses & Permits $1,500 – $3,500
Point of Sale Systems $3,000 – $5,000
Office Equipment & Supplies (3 months) $500 – $1,000
Opening Inventory (1 week) $3,500 – $8,000
Professional Fees $0 – $10,000
Depository Account $3,000
Additional Funds – For Initial 3 Month Period $20,000
TOTAL $256,500 – $658,500

SweetFrog offers 3 types of franchises:

Type of Restaurant Initial Investment Range
SweetFrog Traditional Restaurant $256,500 to $658,500
Non-Traditional Restaurant (Kiosk & Standard Counter Floorplan) $111,350 to $394,500
Non-Traditional Restaurant (Vehicle) $122,900 to $285,300

‍

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a SweetFrog Traditional Restaurant. For more information on the costs required to start a SweetFrog franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $15,000 – $30,000
Leasehold Improvements/Construction $115,000 – $262,000
Lease Review Fee (Optional) $0 – $2,500
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment, including soft-serve machines $62,000 – $242,000
Lease, Security Deposits $3,000 – $12,000
Utility Deposits $500 – $2,000
Design and Architectural/Engineering Fees $7,500 – $20,000
Interior and Exterior Signage; Décor Package $7,500 – $17,000
Other Equipment $1,500 – $3,500
Grand Opening Marketing $10,000
Expenses during Initial Training $1,000 – $2,000
Insurance $2,000 – $5,000
Business Licenses & Permits $1,500 – $3,500
Point of Sale Systems $3,000 – $5,000
Office Equipment & Supplies (3 months) $500 – $1,000
Opening Inventory (1 week) $3,500 – $8,000
Professional Fees $0 – $10,000
Depository Account $3,000
Additional Funds – For Initial 3 Month Period $20,000
TOTAL $256,500 – $658,500

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

sweetFrog provides a comprehensive training framework to prepare franchisees and their staff for effective business operations. The training programs include the following:

  1. New Owner Training
    This is a foundational 40-hour program that may be conducted online or in person at the franchisor’s education center in Scottsdale, Arizona, or another designated location. It is designed to teach new franchisees the fundamentals of operating a sweetFrog business.
  2. In-Store Training
    Approximately 24 hours in duration, this hands-on training takes place at a designated training store and focuses on daily operational skills. Both the New Owner Training and In-Store Training must be completed by at least one owner and one other management-level trainee.
  3. Opening Week Assistance
    sweetFrog provides a representative for up to five days during the grand opening week to help the franchisee and manager with operations and marketing, ensuring a smooth launch.
  4. Ongoing and Refresher Training
    Franchisees and their managers may be required to attend additional training or refresher programs, particularly if operations are not meeting system standards. These sessions are mandatory and may include annual conferences covering marketing, new products, and operations.

Territory Protection

sweetFrog does not grant exclusive territory to franchisees operating traditional store locations. Franchisees may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned stores, or affiliated brands in the same area.

For mobile units ("Vehicles"), sweetFrog offers partial exclusivity within an "Authorized Territory." However, this protection does not prevent the franchisor from operating or authorizing other business formats in the same area.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Started franchising
2012
Franchisees

?

206
+
-7%
-7%
Franchise fee

?

$30,000
Investment

?

$111,000 - $659,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed
Upgrade

$491,000

+
37.5%
37.5%
Operating Profit

?

Upgrade

n.a.

Home based

?

Yes
Upgrade
Yes
Passive investment

?

Yes
Upgrade
Yes
Download FDD
Download
Download
Buy this FDD for $49

You have 0 FDDs left to download this month

Serious about franchising?

Sign up to get access to:

2,500+ franchises

?

Essential financial data

?

Detailed investment

?

View 1 FDD

?

Sign up for free
Need more data?

Upgrade to Pro to get access to:

Revenue, profit margins and more

?

Passive and home-based franchises

?

Download 2,500+ FDDs
Upgrade to Pro
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Competitors

Below are some of

Sweetfrog

key competitors in the

Ice Cream

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

206

New
+
-7%
-7%

$30,000

$111,000

$659,000

n.a.

$491,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

4

New
+
0%
0%

$40,000

$581,000

$1,503,000

n.a.

$1,238,000

$xxx,xxx

68.0%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

28

New
+
-3%
-3%

$25,000

$90,000

$223,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

1816

New
+
22%
22%

$15,000

$179,000

$227,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

4

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$32,500

$65,000

$485,000

n.a.

$302,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

4

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$60,000

$510,000

$773,000

n.a.

$655,000

$xxx,xxx

69.1%

xx%

n.a.

14.3%

xx%

n.a.

6

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$40,000

$138,000

$3,214,000

n.a.

$219,000

$xxx,xxx

79.7%

xx%

n.a.

28.3%

xx%

n.a.

59

New
+
-8%
-8%

$35,000

$285,000

$663,000

n.a.

$664,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

49

New
+
4%
4%

$15,000

$86,000

$930,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

25

New
+
-4%
-4%

$20,000

$110,000

$612,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

5

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$35,000

$351,000

$595,000

n.a.

$251,000

$xxx,xxx

76.4%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

296

New
+
-8%
-8%

$40,000

$165,000

$425,000

n.a.

$461,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

108

New
+
83%
83%

$37,500

$60,000

$101,000

n.a.

$119,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

260

New
+
9%
9%

$35,000

$79,000

$399,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

105

New
+
0%
0%

$0

$3,000

$72,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

514

New
+
20%
20%

$35,000

$786,000

$2,754,000

n.a.

$1,834,000

$xxx,xxx

68.0%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

14

New
+
133%
133%

$30,000

$147,000

$162,000

n.a.

$164,000

$xxx,xxx

79.3%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

252

New
+
9%
9%

$25,000

$333,000

$514,000

n.a.

$251,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

125

New
+
-26%
-26%

$35,000

$135,000

$699,000

n.a.

$397,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

199

New
+
10%
10%

$20,000

$71,000

$210,000

n.a.

$135,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

57

New
+
-20%
-20%

$25,000

$419,000

$630,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

601

New
+
2%
2%

$7,500

$264,000

$314,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

194

New
+
-3%
-3%

$40,000

$232,000

$637,000

n.a.

$855,000

$xxx,xxx

70.3%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

38

New
+
27%
27%

$20,000

$173,000

$185,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

15

New
+
-21%
-21%

$35,000

$217,000

$461,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

117

New
+
77%
77%

$50,000

$311,000

$936,000

n.a.

$959,000

$xxx,xxx

64.4%

xx%

n.a.

16.4%

xx%

n.a.

5

New
+
67%
67%

$25,000

$234,000

$434,000

n.a.

$341,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

1

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$30,000

$224,000

$452,000

n.a.

$654,000

$xxx,xxx

83.0%

xx%

n.a.

8.8%

xx%

n.a.

336

New
+
2%
2%

$30,500

$39,000

$1,100,000

n.a.

$481,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

26

New
+
160%
160%

$36,000

$84,000

$173,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

1969

New
+
0%
0%

$45,000

$1,516,000

$2,543,000

n.a.

$1,355,000

$xxx,xxx

69.3%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

18

New
+
0%
0%

$30,000

$271,000

$931,000

n.a.

$289,000

$xxx,xxx

74.7%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$45,000

$224,000

$348,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

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.

152

New
+
-2%
-2%

$39,500

$157,000

$551,000

n.a.

$612,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

168

New
+
16%
16%

$40,000

$295,000

$880,000

n.a.

$802,000

$xxx,xxx

72.0%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

37

New
+
-12%
-12%

$35,000

$110,000

$284,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

24

New
+
20%
20%

$37,000

$494,000

$1,796,000

n.a.

$334,000

$xxx,xxx

74.2%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

207

New
+
0%
0%

$30,000

$15,000

$568,000

n.a.

$612,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

112

New
+
8%
8%

$34,500

$528,000

$1,223,000

n.a.

$576,000

$xxx,xxx

72.1%

xx%

n.a.

20.0%

xx%

n.a.

205

New
+
10%
10%

$40,000

$409,000

$2,644,000

n.a.

$673,000

$xxx,xxx

76.0%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

24

New
+
0%
0%

$35,000

$171,000

$716,000

n.a.

$744,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

976

New
+
-2%
-2%

$25,000

$307,000

$623,000

n.a.

$521,000

$xxx,xxx

71.5%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

61

New
+
-13%
-13%

$30,000

$107,000

$606,000

n.a.

$516,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

78

New
+
609%
609%

$30,000

$103,000

$696,000

n.a.

$532,000

$xxx,xxx

78.0%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

29

New
+
0%
0%

$30,000

$243,000

$645,000

n.a.

$631,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

564

New
+
7%
7%

$35,000

$22,000

$906,000

n.a.

$349,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2

New
+
0%
0%

$30,000

$160,000

$274,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

9

New
+
200%
200%

$47,500

$500,000

$676,000

n.a.

$508,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

3

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$30,000

$162,000

$473,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

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
Food & Beverage
Ice Cream

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
Food & Beverage
Ice Cream

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
Food & Beverage
Ice Cream

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
Food & Beverage
Ice Cream

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
Food & Beverage
Ice Cream

Winchell's Donut House

Winchell's Donut House is a bakery-café franchise offering donuts, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee, serving morning commuters and late-night guests, and known for classic selections, fresh bakes, and neighborhood convenience.

Franchisees

?

105
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$3,000 - $72,000
Food & Beverage
Ice Cream
Franchises by industry
Business Services
Education
Pets
Senior Care
Recreation
Financial Services
Beauty
Food & Beverage
Home Services
Healthcare
Fitness
Automotive
Retail
Franchises by investment
Under $25,000Under $50,000Under $100,000Under $200,000Under $500,000Over $500,000
Popular searches
All franchisesAll industriesNew brandsHome-based opportunitiesPassive investmentsFranchise earnings
Company
Log inLog outSign upPricingTerms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy
Any information on Franchise Payback (franchisepayback.com) has been made for informational and educational purposes only. We do not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the information presented therein. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other professional advice. Nothing contained in this website constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, advertisement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.

All content on Franchise Payback is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial and/or legal advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this website before making any decisions. See terms for more information.
© 2025 Franchise Payback. All Rights Reserved.