Key Numbers
220
Total units open
15
Units opened last year
4
Units closed last year
15
Net unit growth
Bruster's Real Ice Cream Franchise
Franchised by BRUSTER'S Limited Partnership · FDD 2026
Food & Beverage FDD 2026 Founded 1993 · 33+ yrs Item 19 disclosed
Data extracted from BRUSTER'S Limited Partnership's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, filed under FTC Rule 16 CFR 436. How we analyze FDDs →
Initial investment
$1.2M - $2.7M
Franchise fee
$40K
Median unit revenue (unqualified)
$686k
System size
219 (+15)
The Verdict
Quick Verdict · who it fits
Bruster's Real Ice Cream fits first-time franchise buyers looking for a mid-scale food & beverage concept.
✓ Strengths
- ✓Discloses Item 19 financial performance
- ✓219 units — strong system scale
- ✓33 years in business — established brand
⚠ Risks to review
- ⚠No exclusive territory — franchisor can open nearby
- ⚠High closure ratio: 8.2% of system per year
Key FDD Facts
The numbers a buyer needs first — straight from the filing.
Initial investment (Item 7)
$1.2M - $2.7M
Franchise fee (Item 5)
$40K
Royalty (Item 6)
5% + 3% ad
Item 19 median rev
$686k population not disclosed in this filing
System size (Item 20)
219 +15
Agreement term
11 yrs
Years in business
33+ yrs
Company-owned units
1
Item 3 litigation
1 suit
Model Bruster's Real Ice Cream'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 5% + ad fund 3% on gross sales.
PROJECTED ANNUAL SALES$690,000
$100k$2M
Royalty (5%)
—
Ad fund (3%)
—
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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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
4
Strengths identified
5
Questions to ask
Industry Benchmarks
How Bruster's Real Ice Cream ranks against 749 Food & Beverage peers we've analyzed.
Initial investment
90th pct · of 749 peers
Franchise fee
56th pct · of 749 peers
System size
84th 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 Bruster's Real Ice Cream stacks up
Closest concepts by category and investment.
| Brand | Item 19 | Fee | Investment | Royalty | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruster's Real Ice Cream | Disclosed | $40K | $1.2M - $2.7M | 5% | 219 |
| Johnny Rockets Licensing Similar price | Disclosed | $50K | $517K - $2.7M | 6% | 98 |
| 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 Bruster's Real Ice Cream franchise cost?
Bruster's Real Ice Cream requires a $40,000 initial franchise fee and a total initial investment range of $1,215,120–$2,669,060, per the most recent FDD on file.
Who owns Bruster's Real Ice Cream?
Bruster's Real Ice Cream is franchised by BRUSTER'S Limited Partnership, 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 Bruster's Real Ice Cream disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
Yes. Bruster's Real Ice Cream discloses Item 19 financial performance representations with reported revenue around $685,840. See the financials sub-page for the full distribution.
What ongoing fees does Bruster's Real Ice Cream charge?
Franchisees pay a royalty of 5% of Gross Sales and an advertising fund contribution of 3% of Gross Sales on gross sales as defined in Item 6 of the FDD.
How many Bruster's Real Ice Cream locations are there?
As of their 2026 FDD, Bruster's Real Ice Cream has 219 total locations, with 15 new locations opened in the most recent reporting year. This information comes from Item 20 of the FDD.
Does Bruster's Real Ice Cream grant exclusive territory?
No. Bruster's Real Ice Cream 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, Bruster's Real Ice Cream discloses an initial agreement term of 11 years. Review Items 10 and 17 for the full renewal and termination provisions.
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