Most Commonly Asked Questions about a Ben & Jerry's Franchise Scoop Shop
What kind of experience do I need to be considered as a Ben & Jerry’s franchisee?
We are seeking franchisees who share our commitment to operating great Scoop Shops in a socially responsible way. We look for such things as at least 2 years of prior restaurant or retail management experience at the General Manager level or higher (ideally in QSR) within the past 10 years, solid business acumen, upstanding community involvement, ability to meet our financial qualifications, and a desire to follow our systems, requirements and guidelines.
Do I have to be involved in the business full-time?
Yes. We are seeking franchisees who will commit their full-time best efforts to developing their business. This includes managing the day-to-day operations of the store, executing a local store marketing plan, building a catering and special events business, and activating the brand and social mission through community involvement. Although multi-unit operators will need to build a management team as their business grows, they are still required to be involved in the business on a full-time basis.
What are the financial requirements to become a Ben & Jerry’s franchisee?
For a single store, you will need a strong credit history as well as a minimum net worth of $350K of which $80K needs to be liquid. To be a multi-unit operator, the requirement is a minimum net worth of $525K of which $120K needs to be liquid. Preferably, there will be a secondary source of income to cover personal living and business expenses during the start up phase of the business.
Does Ben & Jerry’s provide financing?
We do not currently offer financing, but we do have relationships with a few national lenders.
How long does it take to become a Ben & Jerry’s franchisee?
Most of that depends on you and how much time you have to dedicate to our “discovery process.” On average, it should take between 30 - 45 days for you to fully evaluate our concept, for us to get to know you, and to mutually decide whether or not the “fit” is right. After Discovery Day, approved candidates have 30 days to enter into a Preliminary or Development Agreement; then you would begin your location search. Once you have an approved site and sign a franchise agreement, your site could be open in approximately 4 months.
When can I review your Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)?
We’ll provide our Franchise Disclosure Document to all qualified candidates, upon receiving your completed application.
What markets are available to develop new scoop shops?
We are seeking new franchise candidates in a few select markets. We may also have opportunities to purchase an existing Scoop Shop. Click here for a list of open markets.
What if my market of interest is not currently available?
There are a variety of reasons why your market may not be open for development. If you meet our basic criteria, and submit your contact information, we will keep this information on file for at least six months. We will do our best to notify you when an opportunity becomes available in your market.
Can I open more than one location?
Yes, for markets that can support multi-unit opportunities; but, we also recognize that some markets might only support a single store. With over 25 years experience in franchising, we’ve developed an operating system that supports both multi-unit and single-store development.
What type of training and support does Ben & Jerry’s provide to franchisees?
We provide both initial and ongoing training and support. It all starts with 8 days of hands-on training at Scoop University, our national training facility in South Burlington, VT. When your store is close to opening, you will also receive a few days of on-site training at your shop. Throughout your tenure as a Ben & Jerry's franchisee, you will also benefit from regularly scheduled visits from our field-based support team. In addition, a variety of support staff members are just a phone call away.
Does Ben & Jerry’s provide assistance with site selection?
Perhaps the most challenging and important decision that you will make is choosing a location. Although our franchisees are responsible for leading the search, our team will guide you through understanding our site selection criteria and process and give you access to some helpful tools. You will complete a detailed site evaluation package for each site you submit for consideration. Ultimately, a location must be approved by our Site Evaluation Committee to move forward.
What is the typical square footage required to open a Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop?
We have a few different store models that can meet just about any real estate opportunity. Our traditional shops average about 900 sq. ft.; however, sites can range from 100 sq. ft. to 1500 sq. ft. depending upon many factors. Our Construction Manager will guide you through our design & build process and help you evaluate and maximize each proposed location.
What are the royalties and fees?
Our initial franchise fee is $32,000. The royalty is 3% and there is a 4% marketing contribution (2% national and 2% local.)
How much money can I make as a franchisee?
The profitability of a Scoop Shop can vary greatly, depending upon many factors. These include the location of the store, sales volume, occupancy costs, the terms of financing, and other operating costs. Furthermore, the franchisee’s aptitude at building and managing a staff, marketing the store, and overseeing all the financial aspects of the business will have a large impact. We do not predict the sales or profitability of any new location. As part of our Discovery Process, we will provide you with a list of our franchisees and locations so that you may contact them directly to discuss sales and earnings information.
