BRUSTER'S
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream franchises operate retail ice cream stores offering premium ice cream, sherbet, Italian ices, frozen yogurt, frozen desserts, beverages, food products, and related retail items, all made fresh on-site daily. The business model centers on franchising freestanding or end-cap locations (1,400-1,600 sq ft) that provide on-premises dining, carry-out, and approved third-party delivery services using a standardized system of recipes, operations, and Proprietary Marks. They target consumers seeking high-quality, fresh frozen treats in a modern environment, including families and dessert enthusiasts in local communities.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
5% royalty + 3% marketing fund
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 172 franchised outlets open and operating a standard 7-day schedule for Calendar Year 2024, as presented in Table 1.
* Average gross revenue is taken from the 'Overall 2024' AUV for franchised stores as explicitly stated in Table 1. A weighted average of the AUVs for the Top-Range (57 units x $1,085,370), Mid-Range (58 units x $689,096), and Bottom-Range (57 units x $461,571) over 172 units results in $745,018.63, which closely matches the reported overall AUV. Median gross revenue is directly from the 'Overall 2024' Median. Revenue top quartile is based on the 'AUV Top-Range' AUV, and revenue bottom quartile is based on the 'AUV Bottom-Range' AUV for 2024. Although Cost of Goods Sold (COG) percentages are provided in Table 4, no other comprehensive expense percentages or profit margin figures are available to reliably estimate a profit range for 'best_guess_profit_low' and 'best_guess_profit_high', as the document notes 'additional business expenses that are likely to be significant' which are not quantified.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How BRUSTER'S Compares to Other Desserts & Ice Cream Franchises
Key Insights
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Desserts & Ice Cream
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Desserts & Ice Cream
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BRUSTER'S Current | $409K - $1.1M | $40K | 5.0% | 205 |
| RITA'S FRANCHISE COMPANY, LLC; RITA'S ICE-CUSTARD-HAPPINESS | $315K - $771K | $35K | 6.5% | 564 |
| MENCHIE'S | $165K - $425K | $40K | 6.0% | 296 |
| DIPPIN' DOTS | $139K - $399K | $35K | 6.0% | 260 |
| MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY | $355K - $477K | $25K | 6.0% | 249 |
| HAAGEN DAZS SHOP | $215K - $568K | $30K | 4.0% | 207 |
Desserts & Ice Cream Average 28 franchises | $327K - $659K | $36K | 7.0% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 28 Desserts & Ice Cream franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+8 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for BRUSTER'S franchisees (2010 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a BRUSTER'S franchise?
The total initial investment to open a BRUSTER'S franchise ranges from $409,033 to $1,118,100. This includes a franchise fee of $40,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a BRUSTER'S franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a BRUSTER'S franchise is $745,019. The median revenue is $673,438.
How many BRUSTER'S franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, BRUSTER'S has 205 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1993.
Can you get an SBA loan for a BRUSTER'S franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for BRUSTER'S franchises. Historical data shows 109 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for BRUSTER'S franchisees, with an average loan amount of $589,869. The historical default rate is 3.7%.
Is BRUSTER'S a good franchise to buy?
BRUSTER'S shows several positive indicators: established brand with 205+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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