TCBY

Item 7 lays out the initial investment from $487,630 to $699,467, covering build-out for stores or kiosks, equipment, and inventory under Famous Brands International. The $35,000 franchise fee gets you trademarks, training, and proprietary recipes for low-fat treats like soft-serve and smoothies. Ongoing fees bite at 6% royalty plus 3% brand fund, plus $2,000 monthly local marketing for months 3-11 post-opening, then the greater of $1,000 or 2% of gross sales—potentially pushing total fees over 11% in year one. Item 19 shines with average gross revenue of $429,373 and median $397,160 across units, suggesting solid top-line potential if you nail warmer-month traffic, though no profit figures mean netting after fees and seasonality is guesswork.

The system's contraction from 158 to 125 locations (-21% growth) raises flags, with just 7 projected new units and 4 transfers signaling caution rather than expansion frenzy. SBA data is a bright spot: 42 loans averaging $222,388 with a low 4.8% default rate, indicating funded owners mostly repay. For buyers eyeing indulgent desserts, TCBY delivers proven revenue in a niche, but the downsizing trend and hefty fees demand scrutinizing local demand—strong for impulse buys, risky in off-seasons or saturated markets.