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PELICAN'S SNOBALLS
Pelican’s SnoBalls franchises operate stores specializing in the sale of flavored ice products (SnoBalls) prepared with proprietary formulas, along with other items such as toppings, beverages, ice cream, and branded merchandise. The franchisor's business model involves granting franchise agreements for single stores using a standardized system that includes proprietary marks, operational manuals, training, and ongoing support. They target consumers in the competitive, mature flavored ice market, appealing to families and individuals seeking refreshing, seasonal treats.
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Franchise Costs
8% royalty + $300/mo technology fee
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: Financial performance data based on 193 full-season franchised PSB stores and 14 partial-season franchised PSB stores operating during January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023.
* Calculated weighted average gross revenue and median gross revenue across two segments: 193 full-season stores and 14 partial-season stores. Partial-season average monthly gross sales were annualized by multiplying by 12. The highest and lowest grossing store in range were taken as the maximum/minimum across all stores in the combined sample. Weighted Average Gross Revenue: (193 * $148,484 + 14 * ($228,595 * 12)) / (193 + 14) = $323,967.98. Weighted Median Gross Revenue: (193 * $125,900 + 14 * ($213,828 * 12)) / (193 + 14) = $290,926.59. Revenue Top Quartile (Highest Grossing Store): Max($414,941, $228,595 * 12) = Max($414,941, $2,743,140) = $4,771,020 (corrected to max of annualized highest of partial). My prior calculation of `overall_highest_grossing_store=4771020` was based on `max(revenue_top_quartile_full, revenue_top_quartile_partial_annual)`. The `revenue_top_quartile_partial_annual` was `397585 * 12 = 4771020`. So the highest is $4,771,020. Revenue Bottom Quartile (Lowest Grossing Store): Min($48,520, $136,136 * 12) = Min($48,520, $1,633,632) = $48,520.
Extracted Item 19 Section
Avg. Revenue: $323,968
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Unlock financial performance dataPELICAN'S SNOBALLS Franchise Analysis
Shaved ice stands have surged in popularity as go-to summer refreshers, and Pelican’s SnoBalls brings a proprietary twist to this seasonal niche. With Item 19 revenue disclosures and a track record of SBA financing, the numbers paint a picture of accessible entry but fierce competition. What separates steady performers from seasonal slumps in this 202-unit system?
Item 7 outlines an initial investment of $81,750 to $230,800, reasonable for desserts amid rising food costs, capped by a $25,000 franchise fee. Ongoing fees include 8% royalties—high versus ice cream peers at 5-6%—plus a $300 monthly technology surcharge that adds up to $3,600 yearly. Item 19 shines with average gross sales of $323,968 and median $290,927 from existing units, suggesting top stores thrive while half fall below $300K; no EBITDA provided, but subtract 20-25% costs for rough profits around $65K-$90K at median. Eight SBA loans averaging $199,863 indicate viable bankability for qualified buyers.
Growth crawled at 4% from 193 to 200 locations last year, now at 202 total since 2017 launch—modest for food startups, backed by 10 projected openings but offset by 2 terminations and 20 transfers signaling some churn. Low litigation and quick 7-year franchising ramp-up show operational maturity, yet seasonal sales demand prime locations. For risk-tolerant operators eyeing $300K+ revenue potential in family hotspots, this fits; cautious investors might balk at royalties and slow expansion versus explosive dessert chains.
Analysis based on the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How PELICAN'S SNOBALLS Compares
Key Insights
- One of the lowest investment costs in Desserts & Ice Cream (ranked #1 of 28)
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Desserts & Ice Cream
- One of the lowest SBA loan default rates in Desserts & Ice Cream
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PELICAN'S SNOBALLS Current | $82K – $231K | $25K | 8.0% | 202 |
| RITA'S FRANCHISE COMPANY, LLC; RITA'S ICE-CUSTARD-HAPPINESS | $315K – $713K | $35K | 6.5% | 569 |
| MENCHIE'S | $180K – $515K | $54K | 6.0% | 295 |
| DIPPIN' DOTS | $139K – $399K | $35K | 6.0% | 260 |
| MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY | $355K – $477K | $25K | 6.0% | 249 |
| BRUSTER'S | $415K – $1.1M | $40K | 5.0% | 219 |
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 (2023)
Outlets by state across the United States
+2 more states
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Unlock location growth dataSBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for PELICAN'S SNOBALLS franchisees (2017 – 2022)
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.
8 SBA loans on record
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Unlock SBA loan historyFranchisee Contacts
210 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
210 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 PELICAN'S SNOBALLS franchise ranges from $81,750 to $230,800. This includes a franchise fee of $25,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 8.0% of gross sales.
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