Always Ice Cream^®

Food & Beverage • Year: 2025

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What Is Always Ice Cream?

Always Ice Cream is a retail ice cream franchise focused on preparing, merchandising and selling ice cream and related food products. The primary service channels are carry-out and eat-on-premises (dine-in), with a general requirement for eat-on-premises capacity unless local zoning or lease restrictions prohibit it. Revenue is generated principally from retail sales of Always Ice Cream products.

Always Ice Cream Franchise: Pros and Cons

A major strength is the spotless legal record — no disclosed lawsuits, franchisee judgments, settlements, government penalties, or franchisor enforcement actions (all 0) — which lowers legal risk; a notable risk is that the system has zero franchised units, leaving few or no existing franchisees for due diligence.

Pros

No disclosed lawsuits, franchisee judgments, settlements, government penalties, or franchisor enforcement actions (all 0) — this clean legal record is a positive indicator versus typical franchisors and reduces legal risk for you as a new operator.

The initial franchise fee is refundable — an uncommon feature (only about 14% of Food & Beverage franchises offer this) that lowers your upfront downside if you change course before opening.

On-site support is provided at no additional cost (the franchisor does not charge extra for on-site visits), whereas roughly 87% of peers bill for this; that reduces early operating and support expenses.

Cons

There are zero franchised units, which means the system is early-stage and you will have minimal—or no—existing franchisees to speak with, making one of the most important parts of due diligence difficult.

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

100

Excellent

The franchise reported no material legal proceedings.

Territory Protection

52/100

NORMAL

Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units. The franchisor retains rights to sell via alternative distribution channels (e-commerce, retail), to use trademarks, and to develop additional units in the surrounding market; protection is contingent on meeting performance quotas and franchisee relocation is a site-specific right.

Training & Support

80/100

NORMAL

The brand provides a robust 118-hour training curriculum designed to prepare staff for launch; the initial franchise fee does not include any trainee seats. The program includes on-site launch assistance for operational readiness, with travel and lodging expenses managed by the franchisee, and on-site support is provided without an additional charge.

How Much Does It Cost to Open an Always Ice Cream Franchise?

Opening an Always Ice Cream franchise requires a total initial investment of $231,125 to $471,500, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.

Minimum Investment

$231,125

Franchise Fee

Real Estate

Equipment & Assets

Reserves

Training

Other

Maximum Investment

$471,500

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$30,000

Real Estate$54,625

Equipment & Assets$140,000

Reserves$0

Training$0

Other$6,500

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$30,000

Real Estate$220,000

Equipment & Assets$210,000

Reserves$0

Training$0

Other$11,500

Investment Analysis

This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.

The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.

How Much Do Always Ice Cream Franchise Owners Make?

Always Ice Cream franchise locations reported average gross sales of $666,902 and median gross sales of $655,560 in 2025, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Average Gross Sales:

$666,902

Median Gross Sales:

$655,560

High Gross Sales:

$776,204

Low Gross Sales:

$580,282

Sample Size:

Percent Attaining Average:

50.0%

Franchise vs Corporate Performance: The Item 19 provides only company-managed store results, so there is no direct franchised-unit performance to compare; prospective franchisees should expect differences noted by the franchisor (royalties, advertising contributions, and higher product costs).

Performance Variability Analysis: Among the four company-managed stores in 2024, net sales ranged from 580,282 to 776,204 with half of the stores meeting or exceeding the average, indicating moderate variability across locations.

Data Scope and Limitations: The sample is small (4 stores), unaudited, and company-managed, so results may not represent franchised outlet performance or typical franchisee outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to open an Always Ice Cream franchise?

The total initial investment for an Always Ice Cream franchise ranges from $231,125 to $471,500, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and working capital.

What is the Always Ice Cream initial franchise fee?

The initial franchise fee for Always Ice Cream is $30,000, as stated in the 2025 FDD. This fee is paid upon signing the Franchise Agreement.

How much do Always Ice Cream franchise owners make?

Always Ice Cream franchise locations reported average gross sales of $666,902 and median gross sales of $655,560 in 2025, based on Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document. Actual earnings vary by location, market, and operator experience.

Does Always Ice Cream have any franchise lawsuits or legal issues?

Always Ice Cream received a legal risk score of 100 out of 100 in the 2025 FDD analysis. The franchise reported no material legal proceedings.

Does Always Ice Cream offer exclusive franchise territories?

Always Ice Cream received a territory protection score of 52 out of 100. Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units.

What training does Always Ice Cream provide to new franchisees?

Always Ice Cream received a training and support score of 80 out of 100. The brand provides a robust 118-hour training curriculum designed to prepare staff for launch; the initial franchise fee does not include any trainee seats.

How many Always Ice Cream franchise locations are there?

Always Ice Cream had 5 total locations as of the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document.

What type of business is Always Ice Cream?

Always Ice Cream is a retail ice cream franchise focused on preparing, merchandising and selling ice cream and related food products.

Interested in Always Ice Cream?

Get more information and connect with the franchise directly.