TCBY
TCBY Systems, LLC franchises TCBY-branded retail stores and kiosks that sell premium soft serve frozen yogurt, hand-dipped frozen yogurt, and related non-frozen desserts such as cakes, pies, sorbet, smoothies, mix-ins, toppings, and drinks. Franchisees operate under the TCBY system, using proprietary trademarks, business formats, and approved products. The target market is the general public seeking indulgent yet low-fat frozen treats, with sales peaking seasonally during warmer months.
Franchise Costs
6% royalty + 3% brand fund + $2,000/mo local store marketing (months 3-11 post-opening), then greater of $1,000/mo or 2% gross revenue
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 75 traditional franchised Stores open for the full Calendar Year 2024, where TCBY is the dominant brand (over 55% of sales from TCBY).
* Average gross revenue and median gross revenue are taken from the 'Total' row of Table 1. The weighted average gross revenue for Table 1 (using 19 units for Top, 2nd, 3rd Quartiles and 18 units for Bottom Quartile) is calculated as $429,372.88, which is consistent with the stated total of $429,373. The top and bottom quartile revenues are directly from Table 1. No profit or expense data is provided; Note 1 explicitly states that the numbers do not reflect expenses or gross/net profit, thus profit estimates cannot be made.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How TCBY Compares
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 79% of Desserts & Ice Cream franchises
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Desserts & Ice Cream
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Desserts & Ice Cream
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TCBY Current | $488K – $699K | $35K | 6.0% | 125 |
| RITA'S FRANCHISE COMPANY, LLC; RITA'S ICE-CUSTARD-HAPPINESS | $315K – $713K | $35K | 6.5% | 569 |
| MENCHIE'S | $165K – $425K | $40K | 6.0% | 296 |
| DIPPIN' DOTS | $139K – $399K | $35K | 6.0% | 260 |
| MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY | $355K – $477K | $25K | 6.0% | 249 |
| HAAGEN DAZS SHOP | $215K – $568K | $30K | 4.0% | 207 |
Desserts & Ice Cream Average 28 franchises | $327K – $657K | $36K | 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
+21 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for TCBY franchisees (2010 – 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.
Franchisee Contacts
127 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
| Name | SBA Loan |
|---|---|
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
127 Contacts Available
Unlock all TCBY franchisee contacts with verified contact information
Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a TCBY franchise ranges from $487,630 to $699,467. This includes a franchise fee of $35,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
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