Quick Verdict · who it fits
Mister Softee fits owner-operators looking for a mature food & beverage concept.
The numbers a buyer needs first — straight from the filing.
Initial investment (Item 7)
$297K - $385K
Franchise fee (Item 5)
$8K
System size (Item 20)
617 +18
Agreement term
10 yrs
Years in business
26+ yrs
Item 3 litigation
None disclosed
Model Mister Softee's costs in the investment calculator → Prefilled from this filing — startup cost, cash flow and break-even.
Buyer qualifications
✓Financing available✓Exclusive territory•Owner-operator required✓No bankruptcy disclosed✓No Item 3 litigation
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.
Free AI summary — the first read on the filing.
617
Total units open
18
Units opened last year
20
Units closed last year
-2
Net unit growth
What our analysis flagged across the 2026 filing.
5
Risks to review
4
Strengths identified
5
Questions to ask
How Mister Softee ranks against 749 Food & Beverage peers we've analyzed.
Initial investment
41st pct · of 749 peers
Franchise fee
1st pct · of 749 peers
System size
91st pct · of 749 peers
Food & Beverage industry averages
Avg investment
$589K - $1.4M
Avg franchise fee
$37K
Avg system size
261
Franchises analyzed
749
Closest concepts by category and investment.
| Brand | Item 19 | Fee | Investment | Royalty | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mister Softee | Disclosed | $8K | $297K - $385K | — | 617 |
| South Bay Soup Corporation (jazen Tea)Similar price | None | $10K | $183K - $390K | 4% | 10 |
| Doctor's AssociatesBiggest system | None | $15K | $227K - $630K | 8% | 18,773 |
| Vintage Hospitality GroupTop-rated in category | Disclosed | $50K | $3.5M - $6.4M | 5.5% | 33 |
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Free explainers to go deeper before you sign.
Brand Analysis
Chipotle reported 4,186 company-operated restaurants and 15 international licensed restaurants as of June 30, 2026. None are franchised, there is no FDD, and there is nothing to apply for. Qdoba is the franchised version of the same order line, and its 12/25 FDD puts a traditional restaurant at $548,100 to $1,294,000.
Brand Analysis
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. reported 656 company-operated stores in 43 states as of January 30, 2026, and the brand has never sold a franchise. Huddle House and Another Broken Egg cover the same daypart with filed FDDs, at $555,375 to $1,715,275 and $792,500 to $1,804,000.
Brand Analysis
The Häagen-Dazs Shoppe Company franchises the ice cream shops on a $30,000 fee and a 4% royalty, with a 2026 Item 7 range of $213,329 to $591,579. The trademark belongs to a different company, and the ice cream you are required to buy comes from a third.
Mister Softee requires a $7,500 initial franchise fee and a total initial investment range of $297,000–$385,000, per the most recent FDD on file.
Mister Softee is franchised by Mister Softee Franchise, L.L.C, the franchisor entity of record on its Franchise Disclosure Document. Item 1 of the FDD discloses the franchisor's corporate history, parents, and predecessors.
Yes. Mister Softee discloses Item 19 financial performance representations in its FDD. See the financials sub-page for the disclosed figures.
Franchisees pay a royalty of $4,045 per year and an advertising fund contribution of 10% on gross sales as defined in Item 6 of the FDD.
As of their 2026 FDD, Mister Softee has 617 total locations, with 18 new locations opened in the most recent reporting year. This information comes from Item 20 of the FDD.
Yes. Mister Softee grants franchisees an exclusive territory under Item 12 of the FDD. Note that exclusive territories often carve out online sales, alternative distribution channels, and non-traditional venues — review the full Item 12 language before signing.
Per the FDD, Mister Softee discloses an initial agreement term of 10 years, a renewal fee of $500, a transfer fee of $1,000. Review Items 10 and 17 for the full renewal and termination provisions.
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