Franchise Deep Dive: SweetWater Ices LLC Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

This full-service dessert cart catering business is looking to grow through franchising after growing in New York and North Carolina.

By Victoria CampisiStaff Writer

10:10AM • 08/27/23

LAST UPDATED: August 2023

FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://sweetwaterices.com/franchise/

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: Four carts

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: N/A

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): N/A

SweetWater Ices is a full-service dessert cart catering business. The mobile company brings its love for nostalgia, vintage carts, classically dressed servers and unlimited servings of desserts to weddings, corporate events and special family functions.

How Many SweetWater Ices Are There?

In 2012, SweetWater Ices started out as two carts set up in Downtown Raleigh, selling SweetWater Italian Ice on Fayetteville Street. The company slowly began networking through corporate and private events, and eventually began its journey into the wedding industry space. There are currently four carts in operation in New York and North Carolina. Now, SweetWater Ices is looking to grow through franchising.

What Is The SweetWater Ices Business Model?

SweetWater Ices operates through a catering model. It offers a variety of catering services from its vintage SweetWater carts. Each cart is self-contained, with no electrical connection requirements necessary. This allows it to serve guests from almost any preferred location, indoors or outside. All carts are handled by a classically dressed SweetWater server who has the option to play classic 1950s music.

Cart rates are $400 per hour for any regular event and $600 an hour for weddings.

Dessert cart options include:

Italian ice sorbet: Unlimited servings of 15 flavors of dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan Italian Ice Sorbet made with real fruit, water and cane sugar
Hot coffee: Unlimited servings of Peruvian hot caffeinated coffee and hot decaffeinated coffee. Add-ons include whole milk, half & half creamer, oak/almond milk, cane sugar, two additional sugar substitute options, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and three flavored syrups (vanilla, caramel, peppermint)
Hot cocoa: Unlimited servings of hot cocoa. Add-ons include whole milk, oak/almond milk, whipped cream, marshmallows, peppermint crushed candies, rainbow sprinkles, cinnamon sticks, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, powdered cinnamon, and three flavored syrups (vanilla, caramel, peppermint)
Hot apple cider: Unlimited servings of non-alcoholic hot apple cider. Add-ons include cranberry juice, maple syrup, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, cinnamon sticks, cinnamon powder, citrus orange slices and crisp apple slices
S’mores: Unlimited servings of homemade marshmallow s’mores. Add-ons include a variety of graham crackers, marshmallows, salted pretzels, chocolate chip cookies, Oreo Cookies, Hershey’s Chocolates, Peppermint Patties, Reese’s Cups and Nutella Spread

How Much Can SweetWater Ices Business Franchise Owners Make?

Since SweetWater Ices is not yet a franchise, this information is not available.

How Much Does It Cost To Open SweetWater Ices Business?

Since SweetWater Ices is not yet a franchise, this information is not available.

Who’s On The SweetWater Ices Business Leadership Team?

Michael Beggen — Owner

What Helpful Articles Can I Read to Learn More About SweetWater Ice?

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