5 Ice Cream Franchises We Love

According to the International Dairy Foods Association, the average American consumes 23 pounds of ice cream per year — that’s quite a few brain freezes. Ice cream, or a form of ice cream, has been around for thousands of years and has evolved in flavors, forms and convenience. No matter how you like your ice cream, there is probably a place that makes it just right. Check out some of our favorite ice cream brands. 

Marble Slab Creamery*

• Units: 133 
• Startup costs: $316,285-$409,935
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

Marble Slab Creamery has been serving homemade ice cream with toppings mixed to order in front of customers for 38 years. Founded in 1983, Marble Slab set itself apart from traditional ice cream shops early on by offering its customers a high-quality, customizable ice cream experience. As a result, the brand has made itself a leader in the ‘experiential dining’ category and is beloved by customers of all ages, according to FAT Brands, Quick Service Restaurant Division, the multi-brand franchisor behind Marble Slab Creamery.

MOOYAH Burgers Fries & Shakes

• Units: 90
• Startup costs: $404,000-$639,000 
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

There’s nothing better than a freshly made, Angus beef burger and a milkshake made with REAL ice cream. At MOOYAH Burgers Shakes & Fries, customers have the option of stopping in for a quick shake or sitting down and enjoying an expertly crafted burger and fries along with their made-to-order shake. 

Foster’s Freeze

• Units: 68
• Startup costs: $611,500-$1,009,000
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

Founded in 1946, Foster’s Freeze introduced soft-serve desserts and cones to Inglewood, California. After 15 years without any expansion, Foster’s Freeze has reopened itself to new franchisors and plans to expand to Nevada, Arizona and Texas. 

Baskin-Robbins

• Units: 7,921
• Startup costs: $124,000-$559,000

For many of us, Baskin-Robbins is the ice cream shop of our childhood. Founded more than 70 years ago, Baskin-Robbins founders had the crazy idea to offer customers more than just vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream, thus introducing 31 ice cream flavors to the market in 1954. Since then, the brand has introduced more than 1,400 flavors, expertly crafted ice cream cakes and countless memories. 

Andy’s Frozen Custard

• Units: 85+ 
• Startup costs: $28,000-$32,000

Little is known about the origins of frozen custard, but the dessert began its rise in popularity in the 1930s when commercial freezers became more widely available. Similar to traditional ice cream, frozen custard is made with mostly cream and churned very slowly, resulting in a rich and thick frozen treat. Founded in 1986, Andy’s Frozen Custard has expanded its free-standing shops to 14 states and more than 85 locations.