Create an account to access more data and download FDDs.
For more information see our plans here.

Sign up
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Upgrade to Pro to access unlimited data and FDDs. For more information see our plans here.

Upgrade to Pro

The Meadows Original Frozen Custard

Home
Food & Beverage
Ice Cream

The Meadows Original Frozen Custard

The Meadows Original Frozen Custard Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

The Meadows Original Frozen Custard is a dessert franchise offering classic frozen custard, shakes and sundaes, serving families and dessert lovers, and known for its long-standing original recipe and franchise footprint in multiple states.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

?

29
+
21%
21%
Franchise fee

?

$25,000
Investment

?

$134,000 - $512,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$0

+
n.a.
n.a.
Upgrade

The Meadows Original Frozen Custard is a dessert stand concept built around frozen custard and frozen yogurt, served through a classic walk-up style menu. Guests can order frozen custard treats such as sundaes, shakes, and cones, alongside other frozen items offered under The Meadows system.

The brand traces its roots to a small custard stand opened in Duncansville, Pennsylvania by J.V., Richard, and Delbert Meadows, and it has maintained a family-tradition origin story tied to its original custard recipe. The franchise system is operated by The Meadows Franchise Systems, Inc., which does business as The Meadows and The Meadows Original Frozen Custard.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a The Meadows Original Frozen Custard franchise is $134,000 - $512,000. 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 $25,000
Real Estate Variable
Leasehold Improvements, Furnishings, Equipment and Signs $79,000 to $390,000
Initial Inventory $10,000 to $15,000
Opening Advertising and Promotions $1,000 to $5,000
Training Expenses $1,000 to $5,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $14,000 to $62,000
Additional Funds - Three months $4,000 to $10,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $134,000 to $512,000

Create a free account to access this table and more.
For more information see our plans here.

Sign up
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $25,000
Real Estate Variable
Leasehold Improvements, Furnishings, Equipment and Signs $79,000 to $390,000
Initial Inventory $10,000 to $15,000
Opening Advertising and Promotions $1,000 to $5,000
Training Expenses $1,000 to $5,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $14,000 to $62,000
Additional Funds - Three months $4,000 to $10,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $134,000 to $512,000

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is The Meadows Original Frozen Custard's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

The Meadows Original Frozen Custard had 29 total units in 2025, of which 29 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.

Competitors

Below are some of

The Meadows Original Frozen Custard

key competitors in the

Ice Cream

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Royalty fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

29

New
+
21%
21%

0.00%

$134,000

-

$512,000

$0

n.a.

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of The Meadows Original Frozen Custard's key competitors in the Ice Cream sector.

Alsies

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$129,000 - $190,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

The Meadows Original Frozen Custard

Franchisees

?

29
+
21%
21%
Investment

?

$134,000 - $512,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$696,000 - $1,266,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

Morelia Gourmet Paletas

Franchisees

?

15
+
150%
150%
Investment

?

$116,000 - $387,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

Dumont Creamery and Café

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$271,000 - $573,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

Fosters Freeze

Franchisees

?

61
+
-5%
-5%
Investment

?

$178,000 - $1,009,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

All the data you need

We're the leading database for franchise professionals

For
Franchisees
Franchisors
Investors
Franchise Consultants

Unlimited FDD access

Access our library of 5,000+ Franchise Disclosure Documents, updated every day.

Read unlimited FDDs
Download unlimited FDDs

Transparent franchise data

Analyze financial data on 2,500+ franchise brands, without diving into FDDs. Revenue, profits, growth and more.

Franchise fees
Detailed initial investment

?

Revenue
Operating Profit (EBITDA)
Sector Revenue
Sector Operating Profit

Our plans

Create a free account, or upgrade to Pro

Free
For anyone looking into franchises.
Sign up
Franchise fees

?

Franchise units & growth

?

Detailed investment costs

?

Pay $49 per FDD download

?

Free Expert consultation

?

Pro
$199 / year
Unlimited franchise data.
For franchisees, investors and more.
You're on the Free plan 🎉
Complete your upgrade now
Upgrade to Pro
Everything in Free, plus:
Read unlimited FDDs
Download unlimited FDDs
Revenue (AUV)

?

Profit margins

?

Dedicated Franchise Expert

?

Industry benchmarks

?