The Dolly Llama Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)
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.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
3
+
n.a.
n.a.
Franchise fee
?
$30,000
Investment
?
$162,000 - $473,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$0
+
n.a.
n.a.
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The Dolly Llama is an artisan dessert franchise founded in 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Its headquarters remain in downtown Los Angeles, where the brand first launched and built its identity.
Since its inception, The Dolly Llama has embraced the playful spirit of its namesake — a real llama living on a French farm that inspired the brand’s fun and highly recognizable image.
Franchising began in 2020, giving entrepreneurs the chance to bring this dessert concept to new markets across the country. The brand offers premium dessert creations including Liege waffles, Hong Kong-style bubble waffles, ice cream sandwiches, waffle sticks, and signature shakes — all made with high-quality ingredients and a strong visual appeal that performs well on social media.
What sets The Dolly Llama apart is its modern-urban aesthetic, Instagram-friendly menu items, and flexible store formats. Franchisees can choose from a full dessert shop, a compact kiosk, or a mobile unit, allowing the concept to adapt to a variety of high-traffic environments.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a The Dolly Llama franchise is
$162,000 - $473,000.
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.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$30,000 to $30,000
Travel and Living Expenses
$2,000 to $10,000
Rent or Real Estate
$8,000 to $30,000
Design and Architect Fees
$5,000 to $15,000
Leasehold, Contractor Improvements, Construction Costs
$35,000 to $170,000
Equipment, Furniture & Fixtures
$20,000 to $50,000
Interior and Exterior Signage
$5,000 to $20,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs
$2,000 to $5,000
Business Licensing, Permits and Legal Fees
$2,000 to $4,000
Proprietary Product Inventory
$20,000 to $25,000
Graphics Package
$5,000 to $10,000
Initial Inventory / Start Up Supplies
$10,000 to $50,000
Advertising / Marketing (3 months)
$5,000 to $15,000
Insurance (3 months)
$1,000 to $1,500
Computer Equipment and Proprietary Software
$1,652 to $2,442
Additional Funds for Initial Three Months
$10,000 to $35,000
Totals
$161,652 to $472,942
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$30,000 to $30,000
Travel and Living Expenses
$2,000 to $10,000
Rent or Real Estate
$8,000 to $30,000
Design and Architect Fees
$5,000 to $15,000
Leasehold, Contractor Improvements, Construction Costs
$35,000 to $170,000
Equipment, Furniture & Fixtures
$20,000 to $50,000
Interior and Exterior Signage
$5,000 to $20,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs
$2,000 to $5,000
Business Licensing, Permits and Legal Fees
$2,000 to $4,000
Proprietary Product Inventory
$20,000 to $25,000
Graphics Package
$5,000 to $10,000
Initial Inventory / Start Up Supplies
$10,000 to $50,000
Advertising / Marketing (3 months)
$5,000 to $15,000
Insurance (3 months)
$1,000 to $1,500
Computer Equipment and Proprietary Software
$1,652 to $2,442
Additional Funds for Initial Three Months
$10,000 to $35,000
Totals
$161,652 to $472,942
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is The Dolly Llama's 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
The Dolly Llama had 6 total units in 2023, of which 3 were franchised-owned and 3 company-owned.
The Dolly Llama provides a structured training program for franchisees and their management teams to ensure successful operation in line with brand standards. Training includes both classroom instruction and on-the-job experience, with a focus on operational procedures, quality standards, and customer service.
Initial Training Program: Conducted in Los Angeles or a designated location, this three-day session is mandatory for the franchisee and one designated manager. It covers system operations, ordering, accounting, and customer service procedures. The training must be completed at least 30 days before the franchise opening.
Training Modules: The training includes sessions such as Introduction to The Dolly Llama, Pre-Opening Marketing, Permits and Coding Compliance, Recipe and Ingredient Review, and Customer Interaction. Each module includes a combination of classroom and on-the-job hours tailored to the specific topic.
On-Site Opening Assistance: Franchisor representatives assist two days before and on the day of the Grand Opening to ensure operational readiness and smooth launch execution.
Ongoing and Additional Training: The Dolly Llama may require attendance at annual conferences or additional training sessions. These may focus on sales, industry trends, bookkeeping, and advertising. Fees may apply for training beyond the included personnel or for remedial training.
Training for New or Replacement Employees: Additional training programs can be provided for new or replacement managers at a fee of $250 per person, with franchisees covering associated travel and lodging expenses.
Territory Protection
The Dolly Llama provides franchisees with a Designated Territory, typically encompassing a one-mile radius around the approved location. Within this area, no other The Dolly Llama outlets will be franchised or operated, giving the franchisee a level of territorial protection.
However, this protection does not extend to non-traditional venues such as airports, stadiums, schools, or government facilities, where the franchisor retains full rights to operate or license outlets.
Franchisees are also limited to operating and delivering services strictly within their assigned Designated Territory unless given written permission. They cannot sell products through internet channels, mail order, or other distribution methods outside of their territory without explicit approval.
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