Handel's^®

Food & Beverage • Year: 2025

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What Is Handel's?

Handel's is an ice cream parlor franchise that sells homemade ice cream, sherbet, ices, and other frozen dessert products. Franchisees operate brick-and-mortar Parlors and, if approved by the franchisor, may operate a Mobile Unit under a Mobile Unit Addendum. Revenue is generated primarily from the sale of ice cream and other frozen dessert products, and Parlors are typically located in free-standing, end-cap, or in-line structures constructed to the franchisor's specifications, with adequate parking emphasized.

Handel's Franchise: Pros and Cons

The franchisor has recorded zero franchisor-initiated enforcement actions and zero franchisee-initiated judgments or settlements, an unusually low dispute level for food & beverage systems; however, its minimum franchise fee is $50,000, placing upfront franchisor costs in the top industry quartile.

Pros

Zero franchisor-initiated enforcement actions, an unusually low level for food & beverage systems, indicating the franchisor rarely needs to take formal legal steps against its operators.

Zero franchisee-initiated judgments or settlements, far below industry norms, suggesting few disputes have escalated to court or paid settlements.

No additional cost for on-site support, which is uncommon (most chains charge separately), meaning support during rollout is not billed to you as an extra expense.

Cons

The franchisor's minimum required franchise fee is $50,000, which puts your upfront franchisor payment in the top quarter of the industry and increases initial cash needed to start.

There are 44 signed-but-not-open outlets, an unusually high pipeline that may reflect delays in site approvals or that the franchisor is selling agreements faster than it can support openings.

One government agency penalty or order is on record, a higher-than-typical signal that points to at least one past compliance or regulatory issue you'll need to investigate in due diligence.

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

63/100

NORMAL

The Facts: A pending 2025 consumer class action alleges false advertising and warranty claims over product labeling; a 2018 California administrative action resulted in penalties for disclosure irregularities. Handel's denies wrongdoing and will defend. The Advice: Review FDD marketing claims, Item 12 territory protections, Item 7 disclosures, and advertising, indemnity, and warranty obligations.

Territory Protection

45/100

NORMAL

Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units. Franchisor retains right to develop additional units in surrounding market (market density), sell via e-commerce/alternative channels, use different trademarks, operate in alternative venues/retail, and acquire/convert; protection is subject to performance contingencies and site-specific rights, including relocation.

Training & Support

90/100

NORMAL

The brand provides a robust 90-hour training curriculum designed to prepare two staff members for launch. The program includes on-site launch support serving operational readiness, provided at no additional fee, with travel and lodging expenses managed by the franchisee.

Unit Growth Analysis

This franchise doubled from 75 units in 2022 to 153 in 2025 (+104% total), with YoY growth of 25.3% (2023), 31.9% (2024) and 23.4% (2025). That shows strong, scalable expansion but a clear deceleration from the 31.9% peak to 23.4%—still healthy for investors, but worth monitoring to determine if the slowdown reflects market saturation, capacity constraints, or a deliberate strategic shift.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Handel's Franchise?

Opening a Handel's franchise requires a total initial investment of $460,900 to $996,500, 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

$460,900

Franchise Fee

Real Estate

Equipment & Assets

Reserves

Training

Other

Maximum Investment

$996,500

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$50,000

Real Estate$190,800

Equipment & Assets$196,200

Reserves$20,000

Training$600

Other$3,300

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$50,000

Real Estate$544,000

Equipment & Assets$312,000

Reserves$50,000

Training$15,000

Other$25,500

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 Handel's Franchise Owners Make?

Handel's franchise locations reported average gross sales of $1,061,425 and median gross sales of $959,264 in 2025, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Average Gross Sales:

$1,061,425

Median Gross Sales:

$959,264

High Gross Sales:

$2,625,550

Low Gross Sales:

$188,416

Sample Size:

116

Percent Attaining Average:

40.0%

Franchise vs Corporate Performance: Franchised Parlors reported an average gross revenue of 1,061,425 in 2024, while affiliate-owned Parlors only provided expense percentages for five Ohio units, so a direct dollar-based profitability comparison between franchised and affiliate-owned stores is not possible from the disclosed data.

Performance Variability Analysis: There is substantial variability among franchised Parlors: the disclosed low is 188,416, the high is 2,625,550 and the median is 959,264, with the top third averaging 1,591,433 versus the bottom third averaging 634,170, indicating material dispersion in revenue performance.

Data Scope and Limitations: The franchised-unit results cover 116 Parlors open at least one full year as of December 31, 2024 (out of 145 franchised Parlors total) and exclude newer openings and a couple of non-reporting locations; the financial figures have not been audited.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to open a Handel's franchise?

The total initial investment for a Handel's franchise ranges from $460,900 to $996,500, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and working capital.

What is the Handel's initial franchise fee?

The initial franchise fee for Handel's is $50,000, as stated in the 2025 FDD. This fee is paid upon signing the Franchise Agreement.

How much do Handel's franchise owners make?

Handel's franchise locations reported average gross sales of $1,061,425 and median gross sales of $959,264 in 2025, based on Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document. Actual earnings vary by location, market, and operator experience.

Does Handel's have any franchise lawsuits or legal issues?

Handel's received a legal risk score of 63 out of 100 in the 2025 FDD analysis. The Facts: A pending 2025 consumer class action alleges false advertising and warranty claims over product labeling; a 2018 California administrative action resulted in penalties for disclosure irregularities.

Does Handel's offer exclusive franchise territories?

Handel's received a territory protection score of 45 out of 100. Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units.

What training does Handel's provide to new franchisees?

Handel's received a training and support score of 90 out of 100. The brand provides a robust 90-hour training curriculum designed to prepare two staff members for launch.

How many Handel's franchise locations are there?

Handel's had 153 total locations as of the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document.

What type of business is Handel's?

Handel's is an ice cream parlor franchise that sells homemade ice cream, sherbet, ices, and other frozen dessert products.

Interested in Handel's?

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