The Yard Milkshake Bar

The Yard Milkshake Bar

Information based on 2022 FDD

Food & Beverage · Desserts

Investment min
$282K
Total: $282K–$627K
Avg gross revenue
$791K
Unit-level, 2022
Franchise fee
$45K
Per current disclosure
Royalty
6%
of gross revenue
Locations
14
Franchising since 2018

Description

What is The Yard Milkshake Bar?

The Yard Milkshake Bar is a rapidly growing dessert franchise that has revolutionized the traditional ice cream parlor experience since its founding in 2017. This innovative concept combines premium ice cream with over-the-top presentations to create Instagram-worthy dessert masterpieces that taste as incredible as they look.

At The Yard, each creation is a work of art, featuring specialty milkshakes and sundaes served in keepsake mason jars that customers can take home. Their menu showcases an extensive selection of Blue Bell ice cream flavors, many exclusive to The Yard, along with house-made edible cookie dough, creative toppings, and elaborate garnishes that include everything from whole slices of cheesecake to fresh-baked brownies.

What sets The Yard apart is their commitment to both spectacle and quality. While their signature milkshakes are showstoppers, they also offer simpler options for traditionalists. The franchise has earned a reputation for exceptional customer service, with staff members who are passionate about creating memorable dessert experiences and helping customers navigate their extensive menu of possibilities.

The brand has cultivated a devoted following by creating an experience that goes beyond just serving dessert. Their stores feature a welcoming atmosphere, complete with convenient jar-washing stations and a family-friendly environment that makes every visit feel special. Perfect for celebrations, date nights, or simply satisfying a sweet tooth, The Yard Milkshake Bar has established itself as a destination for dessert lovers seeking an extraordinary treat.
  • Featured on Shark Tank 2019
  • Instagram-worthy over-the-top milkshakes
  • Premium dessert experience positioning
  • Eight edible cookie dough flavors
  • 50+ topping customization options
  • Strong social media engagement model

Location Analysis

Where The Yard Milkshake Bar wins

The Yard Milkshake Bar, established in 2017, has achieved significant expansion across multiple states, demonstrating strong growth momentum. The brand maintains a robust southeastern presence, with particularly strong concentrations in Florida and Alabama, while strategically expanding into other regions. Their impressive average customer rating across thousands of reviews demonstrates strong market acceptance, with several locations receiving exceptional customer feedback.

The franchise's distribution shows successful penetration in both coastal markets and inland territories, with notable presence across the South and Southwest regions. The brand has established strategic footholds in mid-Atlantic markets while maintaining thoughtful expansion into western states, suggesting a measured approach to market testing and growth.

Prospective franchisees should focus on locations with high pedestrian traffic, particularly in shopping centers and entertainment districts. The brand's success in warm-weather markets suggests particular potential in similar climates, though indoor locations in major retail centers can thrive year-round. Growth opportunities exist in underserved Northeastern and Midwestern regions, particularly in areas with strong millennial and family demographics. The relatively recent establishment in 2017 and rapid expansion to numerous locations indicates strong market acceptance and potential for continued growth in new territories.
Total US locations
18
Franchise units
14
Corporate locations
4
Avg. sq. footage
N/A

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Financial Analysis

The numbers behind The Yard Milkshake Bar

Avg gross revenue$791,061
Investment range$281,975 – $627,250
Investment midpoint$454,613
Brand fund2%
Royalty6%
Franchise fee$45,000
Min. net worth
Min. liquid capital
The Yard Milkshake Bar requires an investment range of $281,975 - $627,250, positioning it as a mid-tier opportunity within the dessert franchise sector. The investment aligns closely with sub-sector averages of $296,855 - $591,723, making it competitively positioned for the premium dessert market. The dessert franchise sector benefits from strong consumer demand for experiential dining and social media-driven marketing, particularly among younger demographics seeking Instagram-worthy treats. The reported gross revenue of $791,061 exceeds the sub-sector average of $414,337, though investors should conduct thorough due diligence through FDD review. As a relatively young franchise system established in 2017 with 18 units, The Yard represents an emerging brand with limited operational history compared to mature franchise systems. The Shark Tank appearance in 2019 provided significant brand exposure and market validation. The franchise operates in the growing experiential food segment, where consumers prioritize unique, shareable experiences over traditional dessert offerings. Ideal investors should possess strong operational management skills and understanding of social media marketing, as the business model relies heavily on visual appeal and community engagement. The premium positioning requires investors comfortable with higher food costs and specialized equipment needs. Multi-unit development opportunities may exist given the brand's growth trajectory, though market saturation risks should be evaluated. Prospective franchisees must carefully review territory rights and exclusivity provisions in the FDD to understand market protection parameters.
Did you know? Did you know that starting your own The Yard Milkshake Bar franchise – famous for their towering, Instagram-worthy milkshakes topped with entire slices of cake, cookies, and candy – requires a total investment between $281,975 and $627,250, which includes the $45,000 franchise fee plus all the equipment, build-out costs, and working capital needed to bring these show-stopping dessert creations to your community?

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

$282K–$627K
Most common
$281,975
Minimum
$454,613
Midpoint
$627,250
Maximum

Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $281,975 to $627,250. The midpoint $454,613 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

$1M$800K$600K$400K$200KN/A
$791K
2020
2021
2022
Avg
$264K
YOY change (2021 -> 2022)

According to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, The Yard Milkshake Bar has an average gross revenue of $791K. (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

+80% YoY
201612840
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
18 units open as of 2022 FDD+8 in last 12 mo

2022 Franchise Disclosure

FDD documents

Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for The Yard Milkshake Bar's 2022 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 2022 FDD

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

Buyer FAQs

Frequently asked questions

The initial investment for a The Yard Milkshake Bar franchise typically ranges between $281,975.00 and $627,250.00. 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 2022. 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.

The Yard Milkshake Bar
The Yard Milkshake Bar
$791K avg revenue · 14+ US franchises

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