Key Numbers
17
Total units open
Special Venue Scoop Shops as of December 31, 2024
0
Units opened last year
5
Units closed last year
-5
Net unit growth
Ben & Jerry's Franchise
Franchised by BEN & JERRYS FRANCHISING INC · FDD 2026
Food & Beverage FDD 2026 Founded 1997 · 29+ yrs Item 19 disclosed
Data extracted from BEN & JERRYS FRANCHISING INC's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, filed under FTC Rule 16 CFR 436. How we analyze FDDs →
Initial investment
$188K - $631K
Franchise fee
$40K
Median unit revenue
$584k
System size
155 (+8)
The Verdict
Quick Verdict · who it fits
Ben & Jerry's fits first-time franchise buyers looking for a mid-scale food & beverage concept.
✓ Strengths
- ✓Discloses Item 19 financial performance
- ✓155 units — strong system scale
- ✓Below-industry royalty rate: 3.0% vs 5.0%
⚠ Risks to review
- ⚠7 disclosed Item 3 lawsuits
- ⚠No exclusive territory — franchisor can open nearby
Key FDD Facts
The numbers a buyer needs first — straight from the filing.
Initial investment (Item 7)
$188K - $631K
Franchise fee (Item 5)
$40K
Royalty (Item 6)
3% + 2% ad
Item 19 median rev
$584k Scoop Shops open all 12 months in 2025
System size (Item 20)
155 +8
Agreement term
10 yrs
Years in business
29+ yrs
Company-owned units
2
Item 3 litigation
7 suits
Model Ben & Jerry's's costs in the investment calculator → Prefilled from this filing — startup cost, cash flow and break-even.
Buyer qualifications
Data extracted from the 2026 FDD filed with state regulators. Fees and terms may have changed since filing — request the current FDD from the franchisor before deciding. Not legal, financial, or investment advice. Full disclaimer.
What you'd pay the franchisor
Drag to your projected annual sales. Royalty 3% + ad fund 2% on gross sales.
PROJECTED ANNUAL SALES$580,000
$100k$2M
Royalty (3%)
—
Ad fund (2%)
—
Total / year
—
▪ Of-sales fees only · excludes rent, labor, COGS, and one-time costs · for illustration
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What's inside
Franchise Overview
Costs & Fees Breakdown
Your Obligations
Franchisor Obligations
Financial Statements
Contracts Summary
Unit Economics
Network Health
Litigation Risk
Earnings Analysis
Financial Fit Analysis
Buyer Verdict
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Research, not legal advice. Use this report alongside professional legal and financial review before signing any franchise agreement.
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Competitive intelligence for franchisors →Executive Summary
Free AI summary — the first read on the filing.
AI Due Diligence Findings PREMIUM
What our analysis flagged across the 2026 filing.
5
Risks to review
3
Strengths identified
4
Questions to ask
Industry Benchmarks
How Ben & Jerry's ranks against 749 Food & Beverage peers we've analyzed.
Initial investment
20th pct · of 749 peers
Franchise fee
55th pct · of 749 peers
System size
81st pct · of 749 peers
Food & Beverage industry averages
Avg investment
$589K - $1.4M
Avg franchise fee
$37K
Avg system size
261
Franchises analyzed
749
How Ben & Jerry's stacks up
Closest concepts by category and investment.
| Brand | Item 19 | Fee | Investment | Royalty | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben & Jerry's | Disclosed | $40K | $188K - $631K | 3% | 155 |
| U Swirl Franchising Llc (yogurtini) Similar price | None | $25K | $419K - $630K | — | 57 |
| Doctor's Associates Biggest system | None | $15K | $227K - $630K | 8% | 18,773 |
| Vintage Hospitality Group Top-rated in category | Disclosed | $50K | $3.5M - $6.4M | 5.5% | 33 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Ben & Jerry's franchise cost?
Ben & Jerry's requires a $39,500 initial franchise fee and a total initial investment range of $188,300–$631,300, per the most recent FDD on file.
Who owns Ben & Jerry's?
Ben & Jerry's is franchised by BEN & JERRYS FRANCHISING INC, the franchisor entity of record on its Franchise Disclosure Document. Item 1 of the FDD discloses the franchisor's corporate history, parents, and predecessors.
Does Ben & Jerry's disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
Yes. Ben & Jerry's discloses Item 19 financial performance representations with reported revenue around $583,767. See the financials sub-page for the full distribution.
What ongoing fees does Ben & Jerry's charge?
Franchisees pay a royalty of 3% and an advertising fund contribution of 2% on gross sales as defined in Item 6 of the FDD.
How many Ben & Jerry's locations are there?
As of their 2026 FDD, Ben & Jerry's has 155 total locations, with 8 new locations opened in the most recent reporting year. This information comes from Item 20 of the FDD.
Does Ben & Jerry's grant exclusive territory?
No. Ben & Jerry's does not grant exclusive territory rights under Item 12. The franchisor retains the right to operate or grant additional units inside or adjacent to your trade area.
What are the renewal and exit terms?
Per the FDD, Ben & Jerry's discloses an initial agreement term of 10 years. Review Items 10 and 17 for the full renewal and termination provisions.
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