Cold Stone Creamery Franchise

Last Updated on July 24, 2012 by DeanR

Cold Stone Creamery Franchise

Cold Stone Creamery is a franchise opportunity for those hoping to run an ice cream parlor business. In 1988, Susan and Donald Sutherland wanted ice cream that did not have either a hard nor a soft consistency.

That was the concept and it was advertised as “Smooth and Creamy Super-Premium Ice Cream.” In that same year, they opened their first store in Tempe, Arizona. The first store is still operational up to now although the headquarters was moved to the city of Scottsdale in Arizona in the year 2005. In 1995, they launched their first franchise store in the city of Tucson, Arizona. To date, they now have about 3,700 all over US and internationally. Among foreign countries that have Cold Stone Creamery are United Arab Emirates, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, China, Mexico, Indonesia, and Thailand.

In 2008, they opened their first store in Europe which is in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2007, Cold Stone Creamery merged with the Kahala Group. In 2007, they co-branded with Soup Kitchen International in New York, and in 2008, they co-branded with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. They started co-branding with Tim Hortons in Canada in 2009. Also in 2009, they had their first major partnership with Kraft Foods to create but prior to this, they already had an external licensing agreement to have Jelly Beans flavoured in some of the most popular ice cream flavours.

Cold Stone Creamery has also been recognized several times. They were ranked 31st in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list in 2000. They were 4thon the Restaurant Business ‘ Top 50 Growth Chains in 2004. They were also awarded the Consumer’s Choice Award in the Treat category of Restaurants & Institutions in 2005.

Cold Stone Creamery has had its own share of Charity work. In 2003, they raised $340,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2004, they raised $625,000, and in 2005, it went up to $750,000 for the same foundation.

What’s on the menu?

Each store makes its own ice cream fresh every day and this is what makes it a super premium ice cream. With the variety of ice cream they have and you can design yourself, you can try a different one every day. For their Creations, a couple are the Chocolate Devotion and Mud Pie Mojo. They also have “To Go” ice cream like Peanut Butter Cup Perfection and Shock-A-Cone. For To Go, you can also create your own and they will pack it in an easy to carry cup with cover. For those who are health conscious, they have the Healthy Indulgences by choosing their Sinless Sans Fat which is non-fat. You can get a non-dairy sorbet or smoothies. You can even choose the right mix ins that fits perfectly to your diet needs.

Costs and Requirements of a Cold Stone Creamery Franchise

What do you need to be a franchisee of a Cold Stone Creamery? There is no net worth requirement although you need to have total liquid assets of at least $125,000. Total investment is around $292,375-$438,975. Franchise fee is $42,000 with an on-going royalty fee of 6%. This is for a renewable 10 year term agreement.

What’s included in the franchise package?

There will be 11 days training at the headquarters and 3 days at your location. It also includes newsletters, meetings, a toll-free number for support, and assistance in the grand opening. You will also need their help with the purchasing cooperatives. For marketing and advertising, it includes co-op advertising, and national and regional advertising.

Contact Details

You can reach them at:

Phone: (480)362-4800

Address: 9311 E. Via De Ventura Scottsdale, Arizona 85258

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