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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. 

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United Water Restoration Group

The Importance of Quick Response in the Water Restoration Business: How United Water Restoration Group Leads the Way

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Senior Care Authority

Senior Care Authority Celebrates Major Wins and Welcomes Four New Franchisees in Q1 2025

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Children's Lighthouse

Why This Hotel Franchise Owners is Investing in Children’s Lighthouse 

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Integrity Franchise Group

Which Franchise Ownership Model Is Right for You? Semi-absentee Ownership?

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Melting Pot

Photo of 50th Anniversary Melting Pot fondue with golden chives

50 Years of Fondue and Family: Melting Pot Celebrates Its Legacy and Looks to the Future

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Top Dessert Franchise Opportunities of 2022

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