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I Scream Gelato
I Scream Gelato is a franchise offering a fast-casual dessert concept specializing in handcrafted gourmet Italian desserts and gelato, operated under the 'I Scream Gelato' brand. Franchisees develop and operate outlets, with total initial investments ranging from $228,917 to $486,800 for a single unit or more for multi-unit agreements, paying fees to the franchisor or affiliates. The business targets consumers seeking premium, artisanal frozen treats in a casual setting.
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Franchise Costs
6% royalty + 1% marketing fund
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: Financial performance information for four I Scream Gelato businesses owned by our affiliates that were open for the full time period (January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024).
* Averages for gross revenue, gross profit, net ordinary income (used for net profit), and net income were calculated by summing the respective values from the four company-owned P&L statements and dividing by 4. Best guess profit range (low and high) for a franchised unit was estimated by subtracting the combined estimated royalty fees (5% of gross revenue) and estimated brand fund fees (1% of gross revenue, totaling 6% of gross revenue) from the Net Income of each company-owned unit. The minimum and maximum of these adjusted net incomes were used for best_guess_profit_low and best_guess_profit_high respectively. For example, for PICK A SCOOP INC, Net Income after fees = 204676.04 - (57031.02 + 9505.17) = 138139.85.
Extracted Item 19 Section
Avg. Revenue: $636,192
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Unlock financial performance dataI Scream Gelato Franchise Analysis
A gelato concept that's doubling down on expansion raises eyebrows in its 2025 FDD—Item 19 finally discloses the revenue engine powering these outposts, alongside a profit snapshot that swings wildly. With just a handful of units nationwide, the system's youth screams opportunity, yet whispers caution through its financing footprint. Does this artisanal frozen treat play melt under pressure or scoop up serious returns?
Item 7 pegs total initial investment at $228,917 to $486,800 for a single unit, including a $30,000 franchise fee, build-out, equipment, and initial inventory for these fast-casual dessert spots. Ongoing fees hit 6% royalty on gross sales plus 1% brand fund, standard for food concepts but notable given the model's premium positioning. Item 19 reveals average gross revenue of $636,192 across existing units, with estimated profits ranging from a -$6,216 loss to $175,350—highlighting variability that top performers offset weaker ones, likely tied to high-traffic sites and operational efficiency in Denver HQ's shadow.
System health shines with 100% growth from 2 to 4 franchised locations (plus 4 corporate) between 2023-2024, projecting 4 new units soon. Two SBA loans averaging $145,900 signal franchisor-backed financing access, rare for such a nascent brand with only 8 total outlets. Yet the tiny footprint amplifies risks like unproven scalability; while revenues impress for gelato, negative profit floors underscore execution challenges in a competitive dessert arena—investors eye this as high-upside but demand prime real estate to hit the sweet spot.
Analysis based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How I Scream Gelato Compares
Key Insights
- Lower investment than 82% of Fast Casual franchises
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
I Scream Gelato Current | $229K – $487K | $30K | 6.0% | 4 |
| Tropical Smoothie Cafe | $276K – $771K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,650 |
| TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ | $300K – $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) | $405K – $1.6M | $20K | 6.0% | 1,249 |
| Zaxby's | $1.4M – $3.8M | $35K | 6.0% | 826 |
| Qdoba | $548K – $1.3M | $40K | 5.0% | 652 |
Fast Casual Average 107 franchises | $529K – $1.2M | $39K | 5.6% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 107 Fast Casual 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
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Unlock location growth dataSBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for I Scream Gelato franchisees (2023 – 2023)
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.
2 SBA loans on record
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Unlock SBA loan historyFranchisee Contacts
7 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
7 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 I Scream Gelato franchise ranges from $228,917 to $486,800. This includes a franchise fee of $30,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
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