Transparency in Franchising: How Chill-N Supports New Franchisees

Vanessa Richaud’s experience opening a Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream franchise in San Antonio is a testament to the company’s robust support system for new franchisees. Chill-N’s guidance and resources were pivotal in helping her navigate the complexities of launching her new location.

“When I first started, the process was pretty smooth, thanks to the incredible support from Chill-N’s corporate team,” Richaud said. 

Chill-N’s commitment to franchisee success was evident in every stage of her journey, from site selection to grand opening. One of the key areas where Chill-N provided invaluable assistance was in real estate. 

From the outset, Chill-N’s corporate support proved invaluable. This guidance was crucial in addressing one of Richaud’s most significant challenges: obtaining permits. Richaud pointed out that navigating state-specific permit requirements, particularly for the large tanks used by Chill-N, posed a considerable hurdle. Fortunately, Chill-N’s corporate team was able to help streamline the process.

Chill-N’s support extends beyond just paperwork and permits. When it comes to securing the right location, the franchise provides hands-on help. 

“They had their own realtor,” Richaud said. “He came out and showed me around different locations. I also FaceTimed David Leonardo, the CEO, as well as Donna and Danny Golik. I showed them all the locations we had found, and they provided helpful feedback on the layouts of the different spaces and gave me advice on which they thought would work best.”

This proactive approach ensures that franchisees are not left to navigate the real estate market alone. The feedback from the company’s leadership along with the realtor’s expertise allowed Richaud to feel confident in making informed decisions about the location for her store.

Richaud learned a lot through the opening process, and for new franchisees, she has one key piece of advice: trust the franchisor.

“Listening to what everybody from the leadership team had to say really helped me and made the opening process go faster,” she said. “They’ve done this before and have learned the most effective methods. My construction process took only three months.”  

Marketing and community engagement also played a significant role in the opening of Richaud’s location. Chill-N’s strategy includes leveraging local influencers and community events to build buzz. Richaud utilized influencer partnerships and community outreach, such as distributing free ice cream coupons, to generate excitement and attract customers. 

“The biggest way we got the word out was through using local influencers,” she said. “Those influencers had thousands of followers, and they came in and made a little video of our store, which generated buzz and excitement. People were interested, saying, ‘Look what’s opening in San Antonio! Look how cool this is!’” 

Chill-N’s comprehensive support system ensures that franchisees are well-equipped to face the challenges of opening a new location. With the backing of a dedicated corporate team and effective strategies for community engagement, new Chill-N franchisees can confidently embark on their entrepreneurial journey, knowing they have a strong support network to guide them every step of the way.

About Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream
Founded in 2012 in Miami, Fla. by South Florida native Daniel Golik, Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream is one of the first liquid nitrogen ice cream concepts in the nation. The first store opened in the Village of Pinecrest and today the brand has 15 locations in Florida, Texas, and Tennessee, with nearly a dozen stores in the development pipeline. Each serving of ice cream is flash frozen before customers eyes while utilizing the brand’s high-output technology, software, and hardware to produce a faster and more consistent scoop. The proven business model and investment in automation reduces labor costs and allows owners to focus directly on customer support and community engagement. For more information on franchise ownership or to find the nearest location, visit chilln.com.