The Best Dessert Franchises You Must Look Into

Americans love their delectable cakes and refreshing ice cream after a scrumptious meal. There was a nine percent increase in household spending on sweet treats in 2020. This goes to show how dessert shops are facing a boon for entrepreneurs, investors, and franchisees. If you want to have a slice of the pie, looking into the most lucrative dessert franchises is key to success. Here are five dessert franchises to start with. 

1. Popbar

Nothing beats a good Gelato ice cream, especially on a hot day. You should look into this dessert franchise as its unique concept makes it stand out amongst competitors. Popbar hailed in New York City in 2010 and now has over 20 stores throughout the United States. Popbar has also gone global with branches in Singapore, Portugal, Panama, and Canada. 

Popbar lets you customize your favorite Gelato ice cream flavors on a stick, giving consumers with a sweet tooth a unique experience. 

Estimated initial investment:

Popbar requires at least $100,000 of liquid capital, plus other costs. The total investment could be expected at $300,000.

2. Haagen Dazs

Haagen Dazs isn’t a new name in the dessert industry. It started in the 1960s and has become a go-to ice cream shop worldwide. It all started with a vision to offer consumers velvety and rich ice cream with only three flavors: coffee, chocolate, and vanilla. Since its founding, Haagen Dazs only sources the highest quality ingredients to create the most decadent and creamiest ice cream.

This ice cream brand has gone international and has over 200 franchise locations in North America. The brand claims it’s not about indulging in the most delicious sweet treats but immersing yourself in the most spectacular moments. 

Estimated initial investment:

The ice cream company requires $80,000 in case, with an estimated initial investment of $164,000 to 542,000.

3. Crumbl

Founded in 2017, two cousins started Crumbl cookies and opened its first store in Utah. The founders ensure that Crumbl only sources the best and most high-quality ingredients. Crumbl cookies weigh an average of six ounces each, which can be delivered or bought at store locations. It all started with serving only milk chocolate chip cookies for delivery and takeout. But as Crumbl soon grew into a popular dessert place, they’ve ventured into catering, curbside pick-up, and nationwide shipping. 

Two of Crumbl’s staples on their menu daily are the Classic Sugar Cookie and the Milk Chocolate Chip Cookie. However, they also change up their other menu options weekly and serve Cinnamon Swirl, Neapolitan, Walnut Chocolate Chip, and more. Crumble has sold over 160 cookie flavors and has more than 300 locations in 36 states. 

Estimated initial investment:

Expect to shell out a franchise fee of $25,000 and a total initial investment of around $567,000.

4. Cinnabon

The cinnamon rolls at Cinnabon are their best-sellers! And these rolls will make your mouth salivate with their airy and soft pastry, sweet cinnamon filling, and sugary topping. The founder wanted to create the “world’s greatest cinnamon roll” from scratch. After months of trial and error and a hundred recipes, the birth of the most delicious cinnamon-spiced pastry was born. 

In 1985, the father and son duo opened its first Cinnabon bakery in Seattle, Washington. This is probably one of the fastest-growing dessert franchises on this list, with over 1,700 locations worldwide. And more than 800 of these locations are located outside the United States. 

Estimated initial investment:

The Cinnabon franchise fee is $30,000, and the initial startup cost is about $250,000.

5. Kona Ice

Kona Ice’s mobile shaved ice truck is the way to go if you’re looking for a fun dessert franchise. They offer various delicious flavors with a fun and playful concept fit for kids and even adults. Kona Ice started in 2007 in Northern Kentucky. The founder thought that no one sold shaved ice off trucks, and this idea would be fun and inviting. 

Shaved ice is delicious and nutritious, with fruit juice as its primary ingredient. Kona Ice now has more than 1,000 franchise locations throughout the United States. 

Estimated initial investment:

Kona Ice requires $20,000 in cash, and the estimated startup cost is between $124,000 to $147,000. 

The Bottom Line

Venturing into the dessert industry is an innovative and lucrative idea since consumers love a good sweet treat. Do your due diligence and check the franchising requirements and limitations, so everything is clear from the get-go. Then secure your budget and licensing requirements, set up shop, sit back, and enjoy the adventure.