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DIPPIN' DOTS
Dippin’ Dots Franchising, L.L.C. offers franchises to sell Dippin’ Dots® branded novelty frozen ice cream, yogurt, sherbet, and ice products through three models: Territory (stores, kiosks, events, vending), Store Only (retail stores/kiosks), and Distribution (vending machines, catering). Franchisees operate within exclusive territories, sourcing products from affiliates, and pay initial fees plus ongoing royalties. The target market is the general public, especially ages 8-18, with seasonal sales peaking in warmer months.
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Franchise Costs
6% royalty + 2% ad fund
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
This franchise did not provide Item 19 financial performance data.
Be careful if you are interested in investing. The lack of financial performance representations may indicate limited data or varying results across franchises.
Extracted Item 19 Section
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Unlock financial performance dataDIPPIN' DOTS Franchise Analysis
Flash-frozen fun meets franchise uncertainty at Dippin' Dots, where a beloved treat hides opaque financials behind its colorful kiosks. Item 19's absence leaves earnings a black box, while sparse SBA loan activity whispers of hefty funding demands for what seems like a lighter ice cream play. Can this seasonal sensation deliver steady scoops of profit, or is the melt risk too high?
Item 7 lays out the financial entry: total investment spans $138,949 to $398,650 across territory, store-only, or distribution models, with a flat $35,000 franchise fee. Ongoing costs bite via 6% royalties and 2% brand fund contributions, standard for food but amplified by seasonal peaks targeting kids 8-18—summer surges offset winter lulls, per business description. No Item 19 means no disclosed revenues or profits, forcing reliance on anecdotes or calls to the 14 transferred units; this opacity flags caution, as investors can't benchmark medians without digging elsewhere.
System health shows modest pulse: 244 franchised locations in 2023 climbed to 257 in 2024 (+5% growth), totaling 260 today under J&J Snack Foods stability since 1999 franchising. Yet only 5 SBA loans average a whopping $698,800—suggesting big bets for multi-unit or prime spots amid exclusivity perks. Transfers at 14 signal some churn, but no alarming contractions; still, without earnings light, the $139K floor tempts but demands validation of year-round viability in events, vending, or stores.
Analysis based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How DIPPIN' DOTS Compares
Key Insights
- One of the lowest investment costs in Desserts & Ice Cream (ranked #3 of 28)
- #3 largest franchise system in Desserts & Ice Cream
- One of the lowest SBA loan default rates in Desserts & Ice Cream
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DIPPIN' DOTS Current | $139K – $399K | $35K | 6.0% | 260 |
| RITA'S FRANCHISE COMPANY, LLC; RITA'S ICE-CUSTARD-HAPPINESS | $315K – $713K | $35K | 6.5% | 569 |
| MENCHIE'S | $180K – $515K | $54K | 6.0% | 295 |
| MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY | $355K – $477K | $25K | 6.0% | 249 |
| BRUSTER'S | $415K – $1.1M | $40K | 5.0% | 219 |
| HAAGEN DAZS SHOP | $213K – $592K | $30K | 4.0% | 215 |
Desserts & Ice Cream Average 28 franchises | $326K – $656K | $37K | 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
+32 more states
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Unlock location growth dataSBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for DIPPIN' DOTS franchisees (2015 – 2025)
Loans by Year
SBA 7(a) loan activity over time
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
5 SBA loans on record
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Unlock SBA loan historyFranchisee Contacts
264 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
264 Contacts Available
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Unlock contactsDue Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
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Unlock due diligence reportsFrequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a DIPPIN' DOTS franchise ranges from $138,949 to $398,650. This includes a franchise fee of $35,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
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