Best Ice Cream Franchises to Buy in 2021

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. 

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. 

From old standbys like Baskin-Robbins to new concepts that straddle ice cream and hot food, like Mooyah Burgers Fries & Shakes, these are 1851 Franchise’s favorite ice cream franchises for 2021. 

Mooyah Burgers Fries & Shakes

• Startup costs: $404,000-$639,000
• Units: 83 
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

Foster’s Freeze

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

Marble Slab Creamery*

• Startup costs: $316,000-$410,000
• Units: 333

Culver’s

• Startup costs: $2,300,000 - $5,400,000
• Units: 765

Sonic Drive-In

• Startup costs: $1,200,000-$3,500,000
• Units: 3,525

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

• Startup costs: $641,000-$2,100,000
• Units: 386 

Baskin-Robbins

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

Dairy Queen*

• Startup costs: $1,100,000-$1,900,000
• Units: 7,034

Ben & Jerry’s

• Startup costs: $152,000-$547,000
• Units: 562

Carvel

• Startup costs: $307,000-$488,000
• Units: 352