1851

Who doesn’t dream of opening up a dessert business when they are a kid? The endless cookies and ice cream, non-stop fun and Willy Wonka-esque wonderment is enough to make the career appealing to any child, but it’s the potential for a healthy return on investment that keeps people interested as they grow older.&nbsp;For investors looking to enter a unique and joyful segment of the foodservice industry, dessert brands offer a lucrative opportunity to satisfy post-date-night customers and families in search of a weekend treat. Plus, since dessert establishments offer customers a much-needed reprieve from counting calories and worrying about what they are eating, business owners benefit from an offering that markets itself — when it's time to indulge, customers know where to go.&nbsp;Best of all, many dessert franchise concepts feature incredibly simple operations, minimal equipment and staffing requirements, low start-up costs and universally beloved brand names.&nbsp;These are 1851 Franchise’s favorite dessert franchises for 2022.&nbsp;<h4><a href="https://franchise.mooyah.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-dessert-franchise-opportunities-of-2022-2718202" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mooyah Burgers Fries &amp; Shakes</a></h4><ul><li>Start-up costs: $551,918-$715,161</li><li>Units: 84</li></ul><h4><a href="https://fostersfreeze.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-dessert-franchise-opportunities-of-2022-2718202" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fosters Freeze</a></h4><ul><li>Start-up costs:&nbsp; $611,500-$1,009,000</li><li>Units: 68</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.marbleslabfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-dessert-franchise-opportunities-of-2022-2718202" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Marble Slab Creamery</a></h4><ul><li>Start-up costs: $316,285-$409,935</li><li>Units: 130+</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/marbleslabcreamery">1851 Brand Newsroom</a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.culvers.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-dessert-franchise-opportunities-of-2022-2718202" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Culver’s</a></h4><ul><li>Start-up costs: $2,300,000-$5,400,000</li><li>Units: 765</li></ul><h4><a href="https://lemacaron-us.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-dessert-franchise-opportunities-of-2022-2718202" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Le Macaron</a></h4><ul><li>Start-up costs: $84,350-$361,500</li><li>Units: 60+</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.freddysfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-dessert-franchise-opportunities-of-2022-2718202" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Freddy’s Frozen Custard &amp; Steakburgers</a></h4><ul><li>Start-up costs: $641,000-$2,100,000</li><li>Units: 386&nbsp;</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.baskinrobbinsfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-dessert-franchise-opportunities-of-2022-2718202" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Baskin-Robbins</a></h4><ul><li>Start-up 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=top-dessert-franchise-opportunities-of-2022-2718202" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dairy Queen</a></h4><ul><li>Start-up costs: $1,100,000-$1,900,000</li><li>Units: 7,034</li></ul><h4><a href="https://greatamericancookiesfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-dessert-franchise-opportunities-of-2022-2718202" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Great American Cookies</a></h4><ul><li>Start-up costs: $301,400-$469,150</li><li>Units: 240+</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/greatamericancookies">1851 Brand Newsroom</a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.parisbaguette.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-dessert-franchise-opportunities-of-2022-2718202" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Paris Baguette*</a></h4><ul><li>Start-up costs: $528,270-$1,638,554</li><li>Units: 4,000+</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette">1851 Brand Newsroom</a></li></ul>

Top Dessert Franchise Opportunities of 2022

1851 Franchise

From classic ice cream shops to mouth-watering pastry bakeries, here are our favorite dessert franchises to satisfy that sweet tooth in 2022. 

top-dessert-franchise-opportunities-of-2022

Woodhouse Spas

Why Franchise Owners Continue To Invest in Woodhouse Spas

why-franchise-owners-continue-to-invest-in-woodhouse-spas

Sylvan Learning

Clay Today: Sylvan Learning of Orange Park Celebrates 40 Years of Education and Growth

clay-today-sylvan-learning-of-orange-park-celebrates-40-years-of-education-and-growth

Layne's Chicken Fingers

FOX Business: Layne’s Chicken Fingers CEO Expresses Optimism for Small Business Growth

fox-business-laynes-chicken-fingers-ceo-expresses-optimism-for-small-business-growth

Sylvan Learning - Empowering Women in Education - Susan Valverde - Denise Tompkins - Jessica Rollins

Empowering Women in Education: How Sylvan Learning’s Female Leaders Are Making an Impact

sylvan-learning-empowering-women-in-education

Shuckin' Shack

Photo of Shuckin' Shack team gathered in a room for the brand's State of the Union

Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar Franchise Partners Unite for Annual Conference Focused on Innovation, Growth, and Giving Back

shuckin-shack-franchisees-unite-for-annual-conference

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 Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

Login

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with hundred dollar bill and orange "recession" banner across the middle

ABC News: Recession Risks Are Rising, Economists Say. Here’s What to Know.

recession-risks-impact-economy-franchise-world

NRA: Restaurants Focus On Enhancing In-Store Experiences To Attract Diners in 2025

nra-restaurants-focus-on-enhancing-in-store-experiences-to-attract-diners-in-2025

The Joint Chiropractic - Dr. Anthony Tran - IFA Franchisee of the Year - 1851 Franchise

The Joint Chiropractic’s Dr. Anthony Tran Named Franchisee of the Year by the IFA

joint-chiropractic-dr-anthony-tran-ifa

TruGolf - Hybrid Golf Franchise - Nexus Golf - 1851 Franchise

TruGolf Links Unveils Revolutionary Hybrid Golf Franchise Concept

trugolf-links-unveils-revolutionary-hybrid-golf-franchise-concept

Photo of a basket of chicken wings with dipping sauce and celery

RestaurantNews: Franchisees File Comprehensive Legal Complaint Against Hurricane AMT

restaurantnews-franchisees-file-comprehensive-legal-complaint-against-hurricane-amt

Tiam Behdarvandan’s Let’s Get Moving Offers a Franchise Opportunity Rooted in Growth and Support

tiam-behdarvandans-lets-get-moving-offers-a-franchise-opportunity-rooted-in-growth-and-support

Franchise Deep Dive: Studio Pilates Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

franchise-deep-dive-studio-pilates-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

The Ace Up Their Sleeve: How Ace Handyman Services Matters Found the Perfect Partner in Ace Hardware

the-ace-up-their-sleeve-how-ace-handyman-services-matters-found-the-perfect-partner-in-ace-hardware

How Car Sales Taught Buddy's Home Furnishings’ Mitchell Lee the Secrets of Franchise Development

how-car-sales-taught-buddys-home-furnishings-mitchell-lee-the-secrets-of-franchise-development

Franchisee spotlight featuring Ian and Dick Rydholm with gradient blue background and Sylvan logo

Ian and Dick Rydholm Celebrate 30 Years of Transforming Lives Through Sylvan Learning in El Paso, Texas

ian-and-dick-rydholm-celebrate-30-years-of-transforming-lives-through-sylvan

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Domonique Downing - Big Frog Franchise - Fayetteville, GA - 1851 Franchise

Coca-Cola Scientist Finds Path to Autonomy with Big Frog Franchise in Fayetteville, Georgia

big-frog-franchise-fayetteville-georgia

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Top Dessert Franchise Opportunities of 2022

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS