The Baked Bear is a premium dessert franchise known for its customizable ice cream sandwiches. It was founded in May 2013 by childhood friends Rob Robbins and Shane Stanger in San Diego, California. The company is headquartered at 4516 Mission Blvd, Suite C, San Diego. Franchising began in 2015, and the brand now operates over two dozen locations across the United States.

The Baked Bear specializes in made-to-order ice cream sandwiches using original-recipe cookies, brownies, and super-premium ice cream flavors. Customers can choose from over a dozen cookies and 13 ice cream varieties to create personalized treats.

The menu also includes sundaes, floats, and the signature Bear Bowl—a warm cookie or brownie topped with ice cream. This high level of customization gives the brand a competitive edge in the frozen dessert market.

What sets The Baked Bear apart is its focus on quality and community engagement. Franchisees are encouraged to participate in local events, fundraisers, and catering opportunities, helping to build strong local ties.

Training

The Baked Bear franchise offers a structured training program to ensure franchisees and their teams are fully prepared to operate their stores effectively. Here is a breakdown of the training programs provided by the franchisor:

1. Initial Training Program: The franchisor provides an initial training course for the franchisee (or Designated Operator), the store's General Manager, and up to three supervisory or managerial staff. This training covers the operational, administrative, and service aspects of the business and must be attended simultaneously by the team. There is no tuition fee, but participants are responsible for travel and living expenses.
2. On-Site Opening Training: The franchisor sends at least three representatives (two if the franchisee is already experienced) to the store location for up to six days to offer hands-on training and support during the opening phase. Any additional training days requested will incur a fee.
3. Ongoing Training and Support: Upon request, additional training sessions for managerial staff are available at the franchisor’s headquarters at no extra charge, though travel and accommodation costs are borne by the franchisee. The franchisor also provides ongoing advisory support, operational guidance, and updates through regular consultation and the confidential operations manual.

Territory Protection

The Baked Bear franchise offers its franchisees a “Protected Radius” around their authorized location, typically ranging from 1.5 to 5 miles. This Protected Radius is established based on factors like population density, traffic, income, and the mix of residential versus commercial areas.

Within this area, the franchisor agrees not to open another Baked Bear Store or allow another franchisee to do so, provided the franchisee remains in good standing.

However, The Baked Bear makes it clear that this protection does not equate to exclusive territorial rights. The franchisor retains the ability to operate or license other businesses, including competitive brands or alternative distribution methods, even within or near the Protected Radius