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.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
206
+
-7%
-7%
Franchise fee
?
$30,000
Investment
?
$111,000 - $659,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$491,000
+
37.5%
37.5%
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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
The initial investment required for a Sweetfrog franchise is
$111,000 - $659,000.
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.
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
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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
Below is Sweetfrog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Sweetfrog had 206 total units in 2025, of which 206 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.
sweetFrog provides a comprehensive training framework to prepare franchisees and their staff for effective business operations. The training programs include the following:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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