Yogurt Mountain Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Self-serve frozen yogurt franchise allowing customers to create their own yogurt creations with a wide selection of flavors and toppings.

Founded in 2009, Yogurt Mountain swiftly became a notable name in the self-serve frozen dessert industry, launching its first franchise a year later in 2010. Based in Birmingham, AL, the brand is known for its lively and welcoming stores that offer a wide range of high-quality frozen desserts, including ice cream, sorbet, custard, tropical ice, and especially frozen yogurt.

Each Yogurt Mountain store is designed as a fun destination for customers of all ages to create their unique dessert masterpieces. With 16 rotating flavors and over 60 toppings available, the brand stands out for its dedication to quality and innovative flavors.

Yogurt Mountain prides itself on offering premium soft-serve products, utilizing natural flavors and colorings whenever possible.

Their frozen yogurts are distinguished by containing live and active cultures, including three probiotics—more than any other brand on the market. Additionally, Yogurt Mountain boasts a variety of exclusive recipes developed through their collaboration with a dairy provider, introducing unique flavors to their offerings.

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.

Yogurt Mountain offers 2 types of franchises:

Store Type Initial Investment Range
Yogurt Mountain® store without a café $271,110 to $857,000
Yogurt Mountain® store with a café $283,110 to $930,500

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a YOGURT MOUNTAIN STORES WITH CAFÉ LINE franchise.

For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

YOGURT MOUNTAIN STORES WITH CAFÉ LINE

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $30,000
Leasehold Improvements $97,500 – $487,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment $68,490 – $261,000
Signage $11,500 – $25,000
Computer System $11,620 – $15,000
Three Month’s Rent $15,500 – $27,500
Deposits, Business Licenses $1,500 – $6,000
Opening Inventory and Supplies $9,000 – $12,500
Grand Opening Advertising $5,000
Training Expenses $2,000 – $9,500
Professional Fees $4,000 – $10,000
Insurance Premium $9,000 – $16,000
Additional Funds - Three months $18,000 – $26,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $283,110 – $930,500

Yogurt Mountain offers 2 types of franchises:

Store Type Initial Investment Range
Yogurt Mountain® store without a café $271,110 to $857,000
Yogurt Mountain® store with a café $283,110 to $930,500

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a YOGURT MOUNTAIN STORES WITH CAFÉ LINE franchise.

For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

YOGURT MOUNTAIN STORES WITH CAFÉ LINE

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $30,000
Leasehold Improvements $97,500 – $487,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment $68,490 – $261,000
Signage $11,500 – $25,000
Computer System $11,620 – $15,000
Three Month’s Rent $15,500 – $27,500
Deposits, Business Licenses $1,500 – $6,000
Opening Inventory and Supplies $9,000 – $12,500
Grand Opening Advertising $5,000
Training Expenses $2,000 – $9,500
Professional Fees $4,000 – $10,000
Insurance Premium $9,000 – $16,000
Additional Funds - Three months $18,000 – $26,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $283,110 – $930,500

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training 

Initial Training Franchisees and their management teams are required to complete a structured initial training program provided by the franchisor. This training, which covers the key aspects of running a Yogurt Mountain Store, takes place at the franchisor's main offices or a specified training facility. The franchisor determines the duration and content of this program, which must be completed to their satisfaction before the franchisee can begin operating the store.

On-Site Training While the franchisor may send a training team to the franchisee's location to support the grand opening and other operations, this is not guaranteed. Should on-site training be provided, the franchisee is responsible for covering any associated costs and fees.

Additional Training Franchisees might be required to participate in additional training sessions such as refresher courses, annual meetings, and other programs as determined by the franchisor. These sessions can be conducted either in person or online, and the franchisor may charge a fee for attendance.

Territory Protection

Franchisees of Yogurt Mountain receive a Protected Territory, defined by a 1-mile radius with the franchisee's store at its center. Within this territory, the franchisor commits not to operate, allow affiliates to operate, or grant others the right to use the Marks or Franchise System for the development or operation of Yogurt Mountain Stores, with some exceptions.

Despite this protection, franchisees do not receive exclusive territory rights beyond the defined radius. They may encounter competition from other franchisees, franchisor-owned outlets, or other distribution channels and competitive brands controlled by the franchisor.

Competitors

Below are some of

Yogurt Mountain

key competitors in the

Ice Cream

sector.

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

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.

Competitors

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

Sloan's

Sloan's is an ice cream and sweets franchise offering premium ice creams, chocolates, candy, and bakery items, serving families and dessert lovers, and known for whimsical décor, indulgent flavors, and a playful, imaginative experience.

Franchisees

?

4
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$581,000 - $1,503,000

Hokulia Shave Ice

Hokulia Shave Ice is a dessert franchise offering authentic Hawaiian shave ice with tropical syrups and add-ons, serving families and event guests, and known for generous portions, beach-inspired branding, and mobile catering flexibility.

Franchisees

?

49
+
4%
4%
Investment

?

$86,000 - $930,000

Tifa

Tifa is a dessert & café franchise offering artisan gelato, chocolates, espressos, pastries, and sweets, serving dessert aficionados and café guests, and known for its warm café atmosphere, handcrafted flavors, and community focus. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Franchisees

?

9
+
200%
200%
Investment

?

$500,000 - $676,000

Ice Cream Emergency

Ice Cream Emergency is a mobile dessert franchise offering on-demand ice cream trucks or carts serving events, campuses, and neighborhoods, serving dessert lovers of all ages, and known for mobility, event flexibility, and fun branding.

Franchisees

?

14
+
133%
133%
Investment

?

$147,000 - $162,000

Repicci's Real Italian

Repicci’s Real Italian is a dessert franchise offering authentic Italian ice, gelato, and frozen treats, serving families and dessert lovers, and known for real ingredients, regional recipes, and high-quality frozen desserts.

Franchisees

?

26
+
160%
160%
Investment

?

$84,000 - $173,000