Ben & Jerry's - Special Venue Scoop Shop

Ben & Jerry's - Special Venue Scoop Shop

Information based on 2024 FDD

Food & Beverage · Other Food & Beverage

Investment min
$235K
Total: $235K–$525K
Avg gross revenue
$430K
Unit-level, 2024
Franchise fee
$18K
Per current disclosure
Royalty
5%
of gross revenue
Locations
22
Franchising since 2000

Description

What is Ben & Jerry's - Special Venue Scoop Shop?

Ben & Jerry's Special Venue Scoop Shop franchise offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to join one of the most beloved and socially conscious ice cream brands in the world. Since 1997, these specialized locations have been delighting customers with premium ice cream experiences in high-traffic venues and unique settings.

Beyond just serving ice cream, Ben & Jerry's represents a commitment to quality, sustainability, and social responsibility. Franchisees become part of a brand that actively builds awareness and support for important social and environmental issues while delivering unforgettable treats to their communities.

The Special Venue Scoop Shop concept features Ben & Jerry's famous super-premium ice cream flavors, from classics like Cherry Garcia to innovative new creations. Shops offer various serving options including scoops, shakes, sundaes, and their signature waffle cones. The brand consistently introduces exciting new flavors and products, like their Scoop-apalooza sharing sizes, keeping the menu fresh and engaging.

What sets Ben & Jerry's apart is their proven business model combined with strong brand recognition and loyal customer following. Franchisees benefit from comprehensive training, operational support, and marketing assistance. The brand's commitment to quality extends to customer service, with locations consistently praised for friendly staff and welcoming atmospheres.

This franchise opportunity is ideal for entrepreneurs who share Ben & Jerry's values and want to build a business that combines profitable operations with positive community impact. Whether serving tourists in busy city centers or locals in community gathering spots, Ben & Jerry's Special Venue Scoop Shops offer a proven path to success in the premium ice cream segment.
  • Established Vermont ice cream heritage since 1978
  • Premium franchise with 65% above-average revenue performance
  • Exclusive scoop shop-only flavors unavailable elsewhere
  • Three-part mission combining product, economic and social goals
  • Sustainable sourcing through Caring Dairy program and Fairtrade ingredients
  • Immersive whimsical scoop shop experience design

Location Analysis

Where Ben & Jerry's - Special Venue Scoop Shop wins

Ben & Jerry's Special Venue Scoop Shop franchise demonstrates a strong Mid-Atlantic presence across multiple states. The franchise shows significant market penetration in Maryland and Virginia, while maintaining strategic presence in key urban markets like Washington DC and New Jersey. This focused geographic distribution suggests a deliberate strategy targeting densely populated, high-income areas with strong foot traffic.

The franchise maintains a solid customer satisfaction level with consistent performance ratings across numerous customer reviews, indicating reliable service quality throughout the network. The sample location in Silver Spring, MD, outperforms the network average, suggesting particularly strong operations in suburban shopping districts.

Expansion opportunities exist in underserved Northeast markets, particularly in New York where the brand has limited presence. Ideal locations for new franchises include high-foot-traffic venues like shopping centers, entertainment districts, and tourist destinations. Success factors include proximity to complementary retail, strong demographic indicators (median household income >$75,000), and areas with significant young adult populations.

Prospective franchisees should focus on locations with year-round foot traffic, climate-controlled environments, and areas with demonstrated success in premium food service concepts.
Total US locations
22
Franchise units
22
Corporate locations
0
Avg. sq. footage
N/A

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Financial Analysis

The numbers behind Ben & Jerry's - Special Venue Scoop Shop

Avg gross revenue$430,275
Investment range$235,300 – $524,800
Investment midpoint$380,050
Brand fund2%
Royalty5%
Franchise fee$18,000
Min. net worth
Min. liquid capital
Ben & Jerry's Special Venue Scoop Shop, established in 1997, requires an investment of $235,300-$524,800 within the Food & Beverage sector's Other Food & Beverage subsector. The minimum investment slightly exceeds the sub-sector average of $210,893, while the maximum investment significantly surpasses the sub-sector average of $461,179, reflecting the brand's premium positioning and comprehensive operational requirements including specialized equipment, store buildout, and initial inventory.

With only 22 units currently operating among 112 franchises in the subsector, this represents a highly selective boutique franchise system with exclusive territory opportunities. The limited unit count suggests careful market positioning and potentially less operational infrastructure compared to larger franchise systems.

The reported gross revenue of $430,275 substantially exceeds the sub-sector average of $260,970 by 65%, demonstrating strong performance for Special Venue locations. This premium performance reflects Ben & Jerry's established brand loyalty and higher price point positioning in the ice cream market.

Ideal investors should possess substantial liquid capital given the premium investment requirements and demonstrate alignment with Ben & Jerry's social mission values. The franchise suits operators seeking brand prestige and market exclusivity over rapid expansion opportunities.
Did you know? Starting your own Ben & Jerry's Special Venue Scoop Shop franchise – perfect for airports, stadiums, and other high-traffic locations – requires a total investment between $235,300 and $524,800, which includes the $18,000 franchise fee plus all the equipment, build-out costs, and working capital needed to bring those famous chunky flavors to eager customers in unique venues.

Financing partners

Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees

Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.

FranFund

Lender

CRF USA

Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.

Lender

First Bank of the Lake

Lender

Pension Pros

Lender

FDD Item 7

Initial investment range

$235K–$525K
Most common
$235,300
Minimum
$380,050
Midpoint
$524,800
Maximum

Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $235,300 to $524,800. The midpoint $380,050 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.

FDD Item 19

Average gross sales

$500K$400K$300K$200K$100KN/A
$430K
2022
2023
2024
Avg
$143K
YOY change (2023 -> 2024)

According to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, Ben & Jerry's - Special Venue Scoop Shop has an average gross revenue of $430K. (Note: This information is based on the latest FDD in our records. Please review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and confirm this information directly with the brand. We make no claims of accuracy for the information presented.)

Growth over time

Franchise footprint

2520151050
2021
2022
2023
2024
22 units open as of 2024 FDD+22 in last 12 mo

2024 Franchise Disclosure

FDD documents

Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Ben & Jerry's - Special Venue Scoop Shop's 2024 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.

Estimated initial investment
FDD Item 7 · PDF
Financial performance representations
FDD Item 19 · PDF
Members-only items
Executive team
FDD Item 2 · PDF
Litigation
FDD Item 3 · PDF
Bankruptcy
FDD Item 4 · PDF
Franchisor assistance
FDD Item 11 · PDF
Members only
Unlock the 2024 FDD

Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.

Buyer FAQs

Frequently asked questions

The initial investment for a Ben & Jerry's - Special Venue Scoop Shop franchise typically ranges between $235,300.00 and $524,800.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.

Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that is publicly available and that we have on record, which was issued in 2024. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. For the most current and detailed information, we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.

Ben & Jerry's - Special Venue Scoop Shop
Ben & Jerry's - Special Venue Scoop Shop
$430K avg revenue · 22+ US franchises

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