CARVEL
Carvel franchises retail ice cream shoppes that sell soft serve ice cream, hand-dipped ice cream, novelties, and ice cream cakes through various formats including full shoppes, express shoppes, hosted express shoppes, ice cream trucks, and co-branded locations with Cinnabon. The business model involves franchising these outlets to operators who sell Carvel-branded frozen desserts and treats. The target market is consumers seeking indulgent ice cream products, families, and dessert enthusiasts.
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
6% royalty + 3% ad fund + $250/mo point-of-purchase materials + POS license/lease $159-$442/mo + POS support $70-$250/mo + loyalty app $51/mo + online ordering $54/mo + gift card processing $4.50/mo
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 104 Eligible Streetside Franchises that reported sales through the designated POS System in all 52 weeks of Fiscal Year 2024 (fiscal year ended December 29, 2024).
* Average gross revenue ($484,054) and median gross revenue ($480,774) were taken directly from the 'Total' row of Table 1 ('AVERAGE NET SALES BY QUARTILES'), representing the overall average and median Net Sales for 104 Eligible Streetside Franchises. Revenue for the top quartile ($785,454) and bottom quartile ($189,436) are the 'Average Net Sales' from their respective rows in Table 1. As confirmed by a weighted average calculation ( (785454*26 + 543719*26 + 417607*26 + 189436*26) / 104 = 484054.0 ), the total average is accurate. Net income, net profit, and EBITDA figures are not provided, as explicitly stated in Note 3 to Item 19: 'These sales figures do not reflect the costs of sales, operating expenses or other costs or expenses that must be deducted from the Net Sales figures to obtain your net income or profit.'
Extracted Item 19 Section
How CARVEL Compares to Other Desserts & Ice Cream Franchises
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CARVEL Current | N/A | $31K | 6.0% | 336 |
| 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
+15 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for CARVEL franchisees (2010 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
Unlock Franchisee Contact Database
337 franchisee contacts on file. Upgrade to see names, locations, phone numbers, and matched SBA loan data.
Upgrade to Pro$199/year · Cancel anytime
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 revenue does a CARVEL franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a CARVEL franchise is $484,054. The median revenue is $480,774.
How many CARVEL franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, CARVEL has 336 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1947.
Can you get an SBA loan for a CARVEL franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for CARVEL franchises. Historical data shows 18 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for CARVEL franchisees, with an average loan amount of $326,667. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is CARVEL a good franchise to buy?
CARVEL shows several positive indicators: established brand with 336+ 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.
Interested in CARVEL?
Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if CARVEL is the right fit for you.
Talk to an Advisor