1851

<p>I scream, you scream, we all scream for a healthy return on investment. For investors looking to enter a fun and colorful sector of the foodservice industry, ice cream brands offer a profitable opportunity. It’s the perfect post-date-night dessert and one that kids crave. Ice cream establishments provide communities a place to indulge, so don’t worry about branding the business as healthy.&nbsp;</p><p>Instead, it’s a simple recipe for success. Everyone loves ice cream, and it’s not hard to source all the dairy, toppings and kitchen equipment needed to churn your dreams into reality. That said, a few franchise brands have transformed the concept into profitable models with beloved brand names.&nbsp;</p><p>From old standbys like Baskin-Robbins to new concepts that straddle ice cream and hot food, like Mooyah Burgers Fries &amp; Shakes, these are 1851 Franchise’s favorite ice cream franchises for 2021.&nbsp;</p><h4><a href="https://franchise.mooyah.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-ice-cream-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715191" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Mooyah Burgers Fries &amp; Shakes</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $404,000-$639,000</li><li>Units: 83&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/mooyah"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://fostersfreeze.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-ice-cream-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715191" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Foster’s Freeze</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs:&nbsp; $611,500-$1,009,000</li><li>Units: 68</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/fostersfreeze"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.marbleslabfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-ice-cream-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715191" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Marble Slab Creamery</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $316,000-$410,000</li><li>Units: 333</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.culvers.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-ice-cream-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715191" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Culver’s</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $2,300,000 - $5,400,000</li><li>Units: 765</li></ul><h4><a href="https://sonicfranchises.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-ice-cream-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715191" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Sonic Drive-In</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $1,200,000-$3,500,000</li><li>Units: 3,525</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.freddysfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-ice-cream-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715191" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Freddy’s Frozen Custard &amp; Steakburgers</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $641,000-$2,100,000</li><li>Units: 386&nbsp;</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.freddysfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-ice-cream-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715191" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Baskin-Robbins</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $124,000-$559,000</li><li>Units: 7,921</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.dairyqueenfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-ice-cream-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715191" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Dairy Queen</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $1,100,000-$1,900,000</li><li>Units: 7,034</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.benjerry.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-ice-cream-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715191" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Ben &amp; Jerry’s</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $152,000-$547,000</li><li>Units: 562</li></ul><h4><a href="https://carvelfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-ice-cream-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715191" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Carvel</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $307,000-$488,000</li><li>Units: 352</li></ul>

Best Ice Cream Franchises to Buy in 2021

1851 Franchise

Why not go into business selling a universally beloved product with the backing of a major brand name? Say hello to these hot ice cream franchises that look like a good buy in 2021.

best-ice-cream-franchises-to-buy-in-2021

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Ramps Up Growth in First Half of 2025 With Strategic Expansions, Franchise Signings, and New Headquarters

childrens-lighthouse-ramps-up-growth-in-first-half-of-2025-with-strategic-expansions-franchise-signings-and-new-headquarters

Right at Home

Right at Home® Named a 2025 Top Franchise Brand for Multi-Unit Owners by Entrepreneur Magazine

right-at-home-named-a-2025-top-franchise-brand-for-multi-unit-owners-by-entrepreneur-magazine

Dog Training Elite

Dog Training Elite -Tips-to-Ease-Dog Anxiety-for-4th of July- July-2025

Dog Training Elite Shares Tips To Ease Dog Anxiety for 4th of July

tips-to-ease-dog-anxiety-fireworks-4th-of-july

Melting Pot

Photo of interior of Melting Pot restaurant

Lexington Herald Leader: This Restaurant Chain Eyes a Return to Lexington After 10 Years

melting-pot-return-to-lexington

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Keke's Breakfast Cafe - John and Kimberly Ehrhard - 1851 Franchise

Empowering Leadership, One Pancake at a Time: How John and Kimberly Ehrhard Are Building a Franchise Legacy with Keke’s Breakfast Cafe

john-kimberly-ehrhard-kekes-franchise

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

How-petbar-Makes-Pets-and-Their-Owners-Happy-as-Part-of-the-Family-in-a-Clean-and-Fun-Environment

How petbar Makes Pets and Their Owners Happy as Part of the Family in a Clean and Fun Environment

petbar-franchise-opportunity-boutique-pet-grooming

petbar Franchisees Win the $6.89B Global Market With Complete Transparency, Self-Service and Membership Models, Creating the Happiest Place for Dogs

petbar-franchise-opportunity

Bringing Robots to Main Street: How Elad Inbar’s RobotLAB Franchise Is Powering the Local AI Revolution

bringing-robots-to-main-street-how-elad-inbars-robotlab-franchise-is-powering-the-local-ai-revolution

Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-costs-fees-2025

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

Best Ice Cream Franchises to Buy in 2021

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS