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Coffee, Bakery & Dessert · Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts

Cold Stone Creamery Franchises for Sale

Made-to-order ice cream mixed on a frozen granite slab. A high-visibility retail brand with a strong presence in shopping centers and tourist areas.

1,054
Total units
$256K+
Initial investment

Brand Performance Snapshot

Franchised and company-owned unit counts for 2023 through 2025, as reported in the franchisor's FDD.

Unit count by year
Franchised Corporate
953
2023
994
2024
1,054
2025
1,052
Franchised units
2
Company-owned units
1,054
Total units
+10.6%
3-yr unit growth

Existing Cold Stone Creamery Franchises for Sale

Operating Cold Stone Creamery territories listed for sale by their owners or brokers, reviewed before publishing.

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Cold Stone Creamery Franchise Model Overview

Cold Stone stores sell premium ice cream, cakes, and shakes customized in front of the customer, with the mix-in experience as the brand's signature. Locations are typically in-line retail spaces in high-traffic centers, and the business is seasonal in most climates. Nearly the entire system is franchised. Many locations operate as co-brands with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, a related concept under the same franchisor.

Ideal owner profile

Owner-operator or family business comfortable with retail hours and a young workforce
Located in or willing to operate in a high-traffic retail or tourist market

Investment Snapshot

Initial franchise fee $12,000 – $27,000
Total initial investment $255,700 – $680,775
Royalty 6% of Gross Sales (+ up to $10/wk surcharge)
Ad / brand fund 3% of weekly Gross Sales (2% national + 1% regional)
FDD year 2026 (unit data through 2025)
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Important disclosure

Brand information on this page — including unit counts, fees, and investment ranges — was compiled by Verified Franchise Resales from the brand's most recent Franchise Disclosure Document and has not been independently verified. Verified Franchise Resales is an independent marketplace and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Cold Stone Creamery. Prospective buyers should obtain and review the current FDD, consult qualified legal and financial advisors, and confirm all terms before responding. This page is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy a franchise; offers are made only through the FDD in applicable jurisdictions. Read VFR’s Terms of Use before responding to any franchise.