Cold Stone Creamery is a dessert business specializing in super-premium ice cream and frozen treats. The franchise offers a variety of ice cream products, including cakes, pies, and smoothies.

Key Insights
- Cold Stone Creamery developed through years of hands-on experience that revealed specific opportunities for improvement within the industry, resulting in innovative solutions that address common challenges while creating new possibilities for growth and customer satisfaction.
- Service delivery combines convenience and accessibility with nutritional transparency and ingredient education, helping customers make informed dining choices while providing quick, satisfying meals that meet diverse lifestyle needs and dietary preferences in welcoming environments.
- Industry trends favor businesses that can adapt quickly to changing regulations, customer preferences, and market conditions while maintaining quality standards, creating competitive advantages for organizations that invest in training, technology, and customer-focused service approaches.

Franchise Fee and Costs to Open
Exploring the financial picture of Cold Stone Creamery gives insight into both the upfront commitment and the potential revenue opportunity. According to FDD Item 7, opening this franchise typically involves an investment in the range of $335,675 - $655,275, along with a franchise fee of $12,000 - $27,000.
Financial Performance and Revenue
Yearly gross sales of $587,242 and estimated earnings of $70,470 - $88,087 show the potential financial performance of this franchise. These figures are crucial for prospective franchisees as they help to project revenue and profitability. They offer insight into the business's ability to generate income and can be used to compare its performance against other investment opportunities. The Franchise Payback Period of 6.7-8.7 provides an estimation of the time it might take for an owner to recover their initial investment. This metric is a key consideration for anyone evaluating the financial viability of a franchise, as it relates directly to the speed at which the business can become profitable. A shorter payback period can indicate a faster return on capital, which is a significant factor in making an informed decision about a franchise investment.
Training and Resources
Cold Stone Creamery provides comprehensive training and resources for new franchisees. The initial training program, lasting two weeks, takes place at the company's facilities. Cold Stone Creamery offers extensive operational guidance, marketing support, and access to a network of experienced franchisees. This extensive support aims to equip new owners for success.
Legal Considerations
Legal considerations for a Cold Stone Creamery franchisee are outlined in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and the Franchise Agreement. Note that this franchise discloses lawsuits and/or bankruptcy information in its FDD, which may impact your evaluation. Subscribe now to access more details and be sure to consult a qualified attorney before proceeding.
Challenges and Risks
Operating a Cold Stone Creamery franchise presents several considerations. Local market saturation with other dessert or ice cream vendors requires strategic differentiation. Ensuring consistent product quality and adherence to brand standards can be operationally demanding. Reliance on the brand's specific supply chain for ingredients and proprietary products necessitates careful inventory management and coordination.
Franchise Datasheet
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