Frios
Frios Franchising Company, LLC offers franchises for mobile gourmet pops businesses operating Sweet Ride Vans, Happiness Hauler Trailers, or Nelson Carts that serve specialty gourmet ice pops and other menu items, with an option for wholesale sales to businesses within a designated territory. Franchisees must follow the Frios System, using proprietary products, supplies, and procedures to ensure brand consistency. The business model targets consumers seeking unique frozen desserts in a highly competitive, seasonal market against food trucks, ice cream shops, and other dessert vendors.
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
Fixed weekly royalty ($125+ depending on territories/weeks) + up to 2% brand fund (currently not assessed) + $250/mo technology fee
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: Data based on 50 Operational Franchise Outlets that provided 'Number of Pops Purchased' for the 2024 Calendar Year.
* The provided financial performance representation for Operational Franchise Outlets in Item 19 consists solely of 'Number of Pops Purchased' for the 2024 Calendar Year, not dollar-denominated revenue or profit figures. Therefore, all dollar-amount financial metrics (average_gross_revenue, median_gross_revenue, revenue_top_quartile, revenue_bottom_quartile, average_net_income, average_net_profit, average_ebitda, best_guess_profit_low, best_guess_profit_high) are set to null as per the instructions which require dollar amounts for these fields. The 'Number of Pops Purchased' for the 50 Operational Franchise Outlets had an overall average of 29,972 and a median of 26,592, as reported in Tables 2, 3, and 4.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How Frios Compares to Other Food Truck Franchises
Key Insights
- One of the lowest investment costs in Food Truck (ranked #1 of 7)
- #3 largest franchise system in Food Truck
- One of the lowest SBA loan default rates in Food Truck
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Frios Current | $72K - $91K | $38K | N/A | 108 |
| TRAVELIN' TOM'S COFFEE | $202K - $255K | $15K | N/A | 258 |
| DONUTNV | $190K - $273K | $60K | N/A | 142 |
| Cousins Maine Lobster | $194K - $651K | $40K | 8.0% | 65 |
| Wild Bill's | $156K - $215K | $40K | 0.0% | 14 |
| On the Hook Fish and Chips | $619K - $1.1M | $50K | 7.0% | 3 |
Food Truck Average 7 franchises | $227K - $393K | $39K | 7.5% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 7 Food Truck 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
+11 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Frios franchisees (2018 - 2020)
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 Frios franchise?
The total initial investment to open a Frios franchise ranges from $71,615 to $90,654. This includes a franchise fee of $37,500.
How many Frios franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, Frios has 108 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2018.
Can you get an SBA loan for a Frios franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for Frios franchises. Historical data shows 3 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for Frios franchisees, with an average loan amount of $86,467. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is Frios a good franchise to buy?
Frios shows several positive indicators: established brand with 108+ 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 Frios?
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