Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Rocket Fizz is a franchise that sells a wide variety of nostalgic and international candies and sodas in a retro-themed store environment.
Rocket Fizz is a retail franchise that sells a large selection of novelty sodas and candies as well as gag gifts, quirky toys and memorabilia in a retro, vintage aesthetic reminiscent of a 1950s soda shop.
Established by Robert "Rob" Powells and Ryan Morgan, the first Rocket Fizz store opened in Camarillo, California, in 2009. The company began franchising in 2010 and today operates more than 100 locations in the United States.
Mission: Rocket Fizz’s mission is to create a unique, nostalgic shopping experience that brings joy to customers by connecting them with fond childhood memories and introducing them to new and unique sodas, candies and toys. The company aims to be a business that makes both customers and employees happy.
Vision: Rocket Fizz plans to drive growth via the promotion of a robust franchise-based expansion model that emphasizes a low initial investment and a simple, scalable business operation, designing stores with humor, visual charm and variety to create a unique and memorable experience that drives repeat traffic.
Atmosphere: The brand is positioned as more than a candy store: a destination for “fun,” surprise and discovery that brings back childhood memories while delivering an enjoyable sensory retail experience in a bright, eclectic store environment.
Franchising with Rocket Fizz offers several key benefits that make it an attractive opportunity for prospective franchisees:
Great variety of products with over 3,000 SKUs to choose from, giving customers new things to try each time they visit.
Rocket Fizz provides franchising opportunities in the United States. Visit the Rocket Fizz website for more information on current franchising opportunities.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Rocket Fizz franchise ranges from $130,400 to $288,000. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Utility Deposits, Fees & Licenses | $1,000 | $8,000 |
| Leasehold/Construction | $15,000 | $40,000 |
| Signage | $2,500 | $10,000 |
| POS System, Computer Equipment & Software | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Shop Fixtures & Furnishings | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Opening Inventory — Rocket Fizz Authorized Products | $33,000 | $72,500 |
| Opening Inventory — Non-Proprietary Products | $1,500 | $3,500 |
| Grand Opening Marketing & Promotion | $0 | $2,000 |
| Rocket Fizz Shop Security Deposit & Rent (3 Months) | $7,200 | $40,000 |
| Insurance — Liability & Workers Compensation (Initial Deposit) | $1,200 | $3,000 |
| Legal Fees/Organizational Expenses | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Training Expenses | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $10,000 | $40,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee for a Rocket Fizz franchise is $25,000, which is due in full upon the signing of the franchise agreement. Rocket Fizz offers a discount on the initial franchise fee to qualifying active-duty or retired members of the U. S. Military, police officers and firefighters.
Ongoing Fees: Rocket Fizz franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing fees, according to the 2026 FDD:
| Name Of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fees | Greater of $900 or 5% of gross revenue/month |
| POS System Support Fees | $80 - $180/month |
ROI Potential: According to the brand’s 2026 FDD, the 94 franchised restaurants reporting for FY 2025 reported the following gross revenues:
| Quartile | Average | Median | High | Low |
| Top 25% (25) | $813,012 | $775,201 | $1,186,181 | $595,422 |
| 2nd 25% (24) | $495,524 | $482,071 | $594,104 | $408,581 |
| 3rd 25% (22) | $355,914 | $353,107 | $402,979 | $319,299 |
| Bottom 25% (23) | $253,891 | $270,791 | $318,389 | $159,305 |
| Total (78) | $488,165 | $410,687 | $1,186,181 | $159,305 |
Rocket Fizz provides its site criteria and may assist the franchisee in locating a proposed site. Franchisor will also provide specifications for the décor and layout of a prototype shop, including buildout oversight (general contractor assistance), construction management (project coordination) and help with submitting and acquiring permits and exterior sign design.
The franchisor provides an Initial Training Program (approximately 70 hours) at their corporate office and/or a franchised shop in Sparks, Nevada, for up to two persons, including the principal owner and general manager.
For the franchisee's first Rocket Fizz Shop, the franchisor provides on-site training and assistance for approximately three to four days before and/or after the shop opens to the public.
Rocket Fizz equips its franchisees with a suite of technology tools designed to streamline operations and enhance the management of their centers, including a mandatory POS system. The franchisee must also purchase, lease or license all computer hardware and software designated by the franchisor, maintaining and updating it throughout the term.
Rocket Fizz does not specify any franchisee requirements with regard to liquid assets, net worth or previous experience.
The franchisee must designate a principal owner acceptable to the franchisor who will be responsible for the operational decisions of the Rocket Fizz Shop. The principal owner must devote his or her full time to the Rocket Fizz Shop and to no other business activities and must own at least a 50% interest in the franchisee's equity and voting rights (unless the franchisee is a publicly held entity or a wholly-owned subsidiary of one).
The franchisee must have a general manager who oversees operations in the absence of the principal owner.
The franchisor generally does not provide financing for the initial franchise fee, but may opt to finance a portion of the fee if the potential franchisee meets the then-current criteria for financing.
“I have been very satisfied with my decision to invest in Rocket Fizz. It’s been a good financial return on our investment. Consistently through the years, our stores are profitable. So, I’ve gotten a lot out of it. And not just the money.”
- Branden Lisi, Multi-Unit Operator — Columbus, Georgia and Knoxville, Tennessee
Visit the Rocket Fizz franchise website for more franchisee testimonials and success stories.
The U.S. confectionary market is expected to reach a valuation in excess of $61 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of nearly 5%. While there’s not a specific market dollar sign that can be placed upon the idea of nostalgia, the global collectibles market is worth nearly $500 billion with the American toy market clocking in at a valuation of almost $4 billion.
Overall, the combination of the confectionary and toy markets in a nostalgic setting presents promising opportunities for growth and investment.
Rocket Fizz distinguishes itself in the confectionary market via diversification, combining the sale of confectionery, toy, soda and collectables within a nostalgic retail setting, creating loyal customers and repeat business.
In terms of competition, Rocket Fizz faces competition from grocery store chains selling beverages as well as confectioners and soda makers including Whole Foods Market, the Jones Soda Company, Kilwin’s, River Street Sweets and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. However, Rocket Fizz's unique focus on nostalgia, guest service and a diverse menu set the chain apart in a crowded marketplace.
Embarking on a franchise journey with Rocket Fizz involves a structured process designed to ensure mutual alignment and success. Here's a step-by-step outline from initial inquiry to final approval:
Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.
Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
Sign up for the 1851 Franchise newsletter to get our biggest stories before everyone else
By signing up, you agree to our user agreement (including class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and acknowledge our privacy policy.
