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<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.

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Right at Home

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Right at Home Senior Care Franchise Expands In-Home Services Across St. Louis

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Homewatch CareGivers

How Zahra Humecki Found a New Career As A Multi-Brand Franchisee Via Homewatch CareGivers and The Cleaning Authority

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Mellow Mushroom

Chatham Star-Tribune: Local Operators to Bring Mellow Mushroom to Danville in 2026

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HomeTeam Inspection Service

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HomeTeam Inspection Service Closes 2025 With 10% Revenue Growth, Poised for Stable Winter and Busy Spring

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Dillas Quesadillas

Beyond Fast Casual: How Dillas Primo Quesadillas Is Leading the QSR+ Revolution

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Best Ice Cream Franchises to Buy in 2021

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