• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • About Franchise Chatter
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Affiliate Disclosures
  • Subscribers Hub
    • Login
    • New to Franchise Chatter? Start Here
    • America’s Most Lucrative Franchises
    • Franchises Ranked by Average Revenues
    • Franchises Ranked by Average Profits
    • Franchise Winners, Survivors and Losers Last Year
    • FDD Talk
    • Search by Name
  • Top Franchises
  • Franchise Earnings
  • Costs
  • Fees
  • Quiz
  • Search

FDD Talk 2020: Cold Stone Creamery Franchise Review (Financial Performance Analysis, Costs, Fees, and More)

Last updated on September 11, 2020 by Franchise Chatter Leave a Comment
in FDD Talk: Food Franchises, Franchise Earnings, Frozen Dessert Franchise, Ice Cream Franchise



Learn Which Franchises Can Make You Rich

In this FDD Talk post, you’ll learn the following:

  • Section I – Background information on the Cold Stone Creamery franchise opportunity, including relevant news updates
  • Section II – Estimated initial investment for a Cold Stone Creamery franchise, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2020 FDD
  • Section III – Initial franchise fee, royalty fee, marketing fee, and other fees for a Cold Stone Creamery franchise, based on Items 5 and 6 of the company’s 2020 FDD
  • Section IV – Number of franchised and company-owned Cold Stone Creamery outlets at the start of the year and the end of the year for 2017, 2018, and 2019, based on Item 20 of the company’s 2020 FDD
  • Section V – Presentation and analysis of Cold Stone Creamery’s financial performance representations, based on Item 19 of the company’s 2020 FDD, including information on the:
  • 2019 average gross sales for the top 20%, bottom 20%, and all 871 Cold Stone Creamery stores that share the following characteristics: (i) all are in a location in the United States (excluding Guam); (ii) all offer a full menu and use the same recipes; (iii) all were existing outlets that did not open for the first time during the past fiscal year; (iv) all operate under the same trademarks; and (v) all were franchised.

Section I – Background Information

15 Things You Need to Know About the Cold Stone Creamery Franchise

Welcomes 2020 with New Menu Items

1.  At the beginning of January 2020, Cold Stone Creamery announced several new menu items to kick off the new decade. Its first new items for the year were Reese’s Peanut Butter ice cream cups, ice cream cookie sandwiches, ice cream cupcakes, and Cold Stone at Home quarts.


🎯Find Good Franchises That Are Still AVAILABLE in Your Target Area (Free Tool)



🚀How to Find, Vet & FUND a Good Franchise. Watch Our Webinar Live or the Recording Later (Register Now – It's Free)



💰How Much Franchise Can You AFFORD? Use Our Free Financial Calculator


2.  Then to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Cold Stone brought back fan-favorite Fudge Truffle ice cream. The Fudge Truffle ice cream was also featured in a Creation and cake. The Falling in Chocolate Creation features Fudge Truffle ice cream, fudge, brownie, and whipped topping. In addition, guests will have the option to bring their Creation even more love with a red waffle cone or bowl.

3.  Rich and decadent, the Fudge Truffle Decadence cake features layers of moist red velvet cake, Sweet Cream ice cream with chocolate shavings, and Fudge Truffle ice cream with chocolate shavings, wrapped in rich fudge ganache. The new items were available until February 18.

4.  Sara Schmillen, vice president of marketing for Kahala Brands, parent company of Cold Stone Creamery, said, “Our Fudge Truffle Ice Cream is one of our most frequently-requested seasonal flavors so it felt right to bring it back for Valentine’s Day. This sweet and scrumptious ice cream treat has a flavor profile that fans of chocolate will go crazy over!”

Launches Full Menu Online Ordering

5.  In early March 2020, Cold Stone Creamery launched its new full menu online ordering experience. Guests can now skip the line and order any of their favorite Cold Stone Creations, ice cream cakes, ice cream novelties, shakes, and smoothies. Promotional Creations and limited-time items can also be ordered through Cold Stone’s website.

America's Most Lucrative Franchises of the Year

6.  According to Sara Schmillen, vice president of marketing for Kahala Brands, parent company of Cold Stone Creamery, “Cold Stone Creamery is excited to be the first national ice cream chain to introduce full menu online ordering. The new full menu online ordering option is an easy way for our guests to order and enjoy super-premium Cold Stone Ice Cream in the comfort of their own homes!”

Introduces Give Back eGift Card Campaign to Support Communities in Crisis

7.  At the end of April 2020, Cold Stone Creamery launched an exclusive Give Back eGift Card campaign that will support people and communities during this time of crisis. With every limited-edition Give Back eGift Card purchased online, Cold Stone will donate 10% of the amount to Bethenny Frankel’s initiative, bstrong.

8.  bstrong’s COVID-19 response initiatives are centered around the shortage of medical and sanitization products in the marketplace. bstrong’s Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) is working directly with manufacturers to ensure the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is sent to people and hospitals across the nation. They have committed to servicing up to 250 hospitals nationwide to get PPE to those in need.

9.  “The entire Cold Stone Creamery team has been passionate about finding ways we can do our part to support communities that have been affected by COVID-19 as well as other crises,” said Sara Schmillen, vice president of marketing for Kahala Brands, parent company of Cold Stone Creamery. “We are proud to work with Bethenny Frankel’s bstrong disaster relief efforts to provide real time assistance to individuals and families in crisis.”


🎯Find Good Franchises That Are Still AVAILABLE in Your Target Area (Free Tool)



🚀How to Find, Vet & FUND a Good Franchise. Watch Our Webinar Live or the Recording Later (Register Now – It's Free)



💰How Much Franchise Can You AFFORD? Use Our Free Financial Calculator


10.  The offer was available online only from April 27 through May 31, 2020, while supplies lasted. Purchaser received the full value of the Give Back eGift Card. Proceeds were based on the purchase of the specific limited-edition Give Back eGift Card available via the Cold Stone Creamery website. Donation percentage was 10%, with a maximum donation of $100,000.

Company History

11.  Cold Stone Creamery was founded in 1988 by Donald and Susan Sutherland in Tempe, Arizona. The Sutherlands wanted to offer an alternative to soft-serve and hard-packed ice creams. From the start, Cold Stone’s ice cream was premium, containing 14 percent milk fat or butterfat – 2 to 3 percent above the industry average.

12.  In addition to offering premium ice cream, the Sutherlands decided to have mix-ins that could be folded into the ice cream on frozen granite slabs (hence the company’s name). The Cold Stone Creamery concept was a hit and the Sutherlands opened more stores in the Phoenix metro area.

13.  In 1995, the Sutherlands started franchising the Cold Stone Creamery concept and opened the first franchised store in Tempe. Not long after, the first Cold Stone outside of Arizona opened in Camarillo, California. Over the next few years, Cold Stone Creamery continued to grow around the U.S. and by 2000, there were 100 stores in operation. Cold Stone’s expansion continued around the country as well as internationally over the next decade.

14.  In 2007, Cold Stone Creamery merged with Kahala Corp. to form Kahala-Cold Stone, now called Kahala Brands, which also owns Baja Fresh, Blimpie, Planet Smoothie, Pinkberry, and several other brands. Today, Cold Stone Creamery has stores all across the U.S. as well as Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, Qatar, Egypt, Bahrain, Denmark, Singapore, Canada, and many more countries.

Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500

15.  Cold Stone Creamery did not rank on Entrepreneur’s 2020 Franchise 500 list.

Section II – Estimated Costs

  • Please click here for detailed estimates of Cold Stone Creamery franchise costs, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2020 FDD.

Section III – Initial Franchise Fee, Royalty Fee, Marketing Fee, and Other Fees

  • Please click here for detailed information on Cold Stone Creamery’s initial franchise fee, royalty fee, marketing fee, and other fees, based on Items 5 and 6 of the company’s 2020 FDD.

Section IV – Number of Franchised and Company-Owned Outlets

Franchised

2017

  • Outlets at the Start of the Year:  914
  • Outlets at the End of the Year:  915
  • Net Change:  +1

2018

  • Outlets at the Start of the Year:  915
  • Outlets at the End of the Year:  898
  • Net Change:  -17

2019

  • Outlets at the Start of the Year:  898
  • Outlets at the End of the Year:  895
  • Net Change:  -3

Company-Owned

2017

  • Outlets at the Start of the Year:  10
  • Outlets at the End of the Year:  8
  • Net Change:  -2

2018

  • Outlets at the Start of the Year:  8
  • Outlets at the End of the Year:  3
  • Net Change:  -5

2019

  • Outlets at the Start of the Year:  3
  • Outlets at the End of the Year:  3
  • Net Change:  0

Section V – Financial Performance Representations (Item 19, 2020 FDD) and Analysis

  • The average gross sales contained in the table below pertains to the historic performance of Cold Stone Creamery stores that share the following characteristics: (i) all are in a location in the United States (excluding Guam); (ii) all offer a full menu and use the same recipes; (iii) all were existing outlets that did not open for the first time during the past fiscal year; (iv) all operate under the same trademarks; and (v) all were franchised.
  • The time period measured was December 1, 2018 through November 30, 2019.

Franchised Stores Only



To Access the Rest of This Article and Other Premium, Income-Enhancing Content, Subscribe Now or Log In.

Gain the Insider Information (and Actual Earnings Data) You Need to Make a Safe and Smart Franchise Investment. Click Here to Learn More.



Gain the Insider Information (and Actual Earnings Data) You Need to Make a Safe and Smart Franchise Investment - See more at: https://www.franchisechatter.com/register/#sthash.le7wKJKM.dpuf

🎯Find Good Franchises That Are Still AVAILABLE in Your Target Area (Free Tool)



🚀How to Find, Vet & FUND a Good Franchise. Watch Our Webinar Live or the Recording Later (Register Now – It's Free)



💰How Much Franchise Can You AFFORD? Use Our Free Financial Calculator



Franchises Ranked by Average Revenues and Profits



Franchise Winners and Losers Last Year

Tagged as: Cold Stone Creamery

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous post: FDD Talk 2020: Culver's Franchise Review (Financial Performance Analysis, Costs, Fees, and More)

Next post: 23 Substantial Fees Every Home Clean Heroes Franchisee Needs to Know About

Primary Sidebar

⚠️Buying a Franchise on Your Own Can Be Overwhelming

✅ Get the guidance and support you need every step of the way – from funding to franchisor introduction, due diligence, franchisee validation calls, discovery day, territory selection, and signing – from an experienced franchise broker at no cost to you.

✅ Fill out this form and a specialist from the Franchise Brokers Association will reach out to you.

🚀How to Find, Vet and FUND a Good Franchise (Webinar)

✅ Is Franchising a Path for You? – Jun. 2 (Fri.), 11 a.m. EST

✅ Essential Services – Great for Good Times and Bad – Jun. 6 (Tues.), 4 p.m. EST

✅ Register Now to Get Free Access to Recordings of Both Webinars

Register Now

⭐️Franchise Chatter is reader-supported. We may receive a commission for leads generated from our site.

As seen in:  New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, and CNBC

Login

Remember Me
Register | Lost your Password?
Reminder: Your username and password are case-sensitive.

Need help? Email franchisechatterblog@gmail.com

👍”Your website and you have been instrumental in finding this franchise opportunity and I am overwhelmingly grateful.” (David F., subscriber)

🏆 Best Franchises by Industry

Best Franchises by Industry (All Lists)

Best Gym and Fitness Franchises

Best Pizza Franchises

Best Sandwich Franchises

Best Childcare Franchises

Best Ice Cream Franchises

Best Coffee Franchises

Best Hamburger Franchises

Best Salon and Beauty Franchises

Best Chicken Franchises

Best Smoothie and Juice Franchises

Best Maid Service Franchises

Best Mexican Restaurant Franchises

Best Massage Service Franchises

Best Tutoring Franchises

Best Auto Repair Franchises

Best Auto Oil Change Franchises

Best Asian Restaurant Franchises

Best Pet Franchises

Best Commercial Cleaning Franchises

Best Sports Bar Franchises

Best Baked Goods Franchises

Best Moving/Junk Removal Franchises

Best Mailbox Franchises

Best Apparel Retail Franchises

Best Senior Care Franchises

Best Restoration Franchises

Best Tech Franchises

Best Travel Agency Franchises

Best Trampoline Park Franchises

Best Tools Distribution Franchises

Best Property Management Franchises

Best Real Estate Franchises

Best Automotive Wheels and Tires Franchises

Best Weight Loss Franchises

Best Flooring Franchises

Best Eye Care Franchises

Best Physical Therapy Franchises

Best Acai Bowl Franchises

Best Poké Bowl Franchises

Best Donut Franchises

Best Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Franchises

Best Window Coverings Franchises

Best Plumbing Franchises

Best Home Inspection Franchises

Best Garage Franchises

Best Barbershop Franchises

Best Laundromat Franchises

Best Storage Unit Franchises

Best Car Wash Service Franchises

🚀 Daily FDD Talk Posts

Scenthound Franchise

Ziebart Franchise

Dunn Brothers Coffee Franchise

Grease Monkey Franchise

TruBlue Total House Care Franchise

House Doctors Franchise

Rubbish Works Franchise

Mr. Rooter Franchise

Planet Smoothie Franchise

Soccer Stars Franchise

Express Employment Professionals Franchise

beem Light Sauna Franchise

The Lash Lounge Franchise

ARCpoint Labs Franchise

Hawaii Fluid Art Franchise

Snapology Franchise

Spherion Staffing Franchise

Aussie Pet Mobile Franchise

Perspire Sauna Studio Franchise

Code Ninjas Franchise

Merry Maids Franchise

Mighty Dog Roofing Franchise

Mister Sparky Franchise

City Wide Franchise

Maid Right Franchise

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Franchise

America’s Swimming Pool Company Franchise

Gatsby Glass Franchise

ISI Elite Training Franchise

Blue Moon Estate Sales Franchise

Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions Franchise

Window Hero Franchise

Building Kidz School Franchise

Mint Condition Franchise

Caribou Coffee Franchise

Closets by Design Franchise

Fundraising University Franchise

Mr. Appliance Franchise

Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change Franchise

Showhomes Franchise

Grand Welcome Franchise

Nutty Scientists Franchise

1-800 Water Damage Franchise

Precision Door Service Franchise

TeamLogic IT Franchise

Lifetime Green Coatings Franchise

Alloy Franchise

British Swim School Franchise

Wallaby Windows Franchise

United Water Restoration Group Franchise

Franchise Chatter © 2023