Millie's®
What Is Millie's?
Millie's is a franchise offering super premium ice cream and dairy-free gelato made with all-natural ingredients, and certain Shops may also offer coffee and specialty espresso drinks. Franchisees operate branded Millie's Shops from brick-and-mortar premises and off-premises via a mobile food truck, selling the Approved Ice Cream Products and, where authorized, Coffee Products. Shops typically occupy 700 to 1,500 square feet of leased or owned space in high-density urban neighborhoods, central business centers, or high-traffic retail shopping centers (the franchisor may also approve specialty sites such as malls, airports, hospitals, parks and campuses); standalone locations are generally not permitted unless there is significant pedestrian traffic.
Millie's Franchise: Pros and Cons
The brand’s notably clean legal record - zero disclosed lawsuits, zero government penalties, and zero fraud cases - sets it apart in food & beverage, but a $50,000 initial franchise fee (in the top 25% for the sector) creates a higher-than-average upfront cash commitment.
Pros
Cons
Lawsuits & Legal Risk
Millie's reported no material legal proceedings,
Territory Protection
Millie's grants a site-specific, protected territory defined by zip codes and population targets (100,000–125,000 per shop), adjustable for market density, but does not provide exclusivity. The franchisor retains rights to develop nearby units, to sell via e‑commerce/alternative distribution channels, and states territory rights are contingent on meeting performance quotas.
Training & Support
Millie's provides a robust 104-hour training curriculum designed to prepare incoming franchise personnel for launch; the initial fee does not include any trainees and the program includes both classroom and on-site components. The program includes on-site launch assistance for operational readiness, with travel and lodging expenses borne by the franchisee and on-site support available for an additional fee.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Millie's Franchise?
Opening a Millie's franchise requires a total initial investment of $253,500 to $556,500, 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
Maximum Investment
Minimum Investment Breakdown
Maximum Investment Breakdown
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Millie's a good franchise to own?
Whether Millie's is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2025 FDD: Millie's operates 14 locations, received a legal risk score of 100/100, a training and support score of 66/100. Financial performance data is disclosed in Item 19. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.
Is a Millie's franchise worth the investment?
The value of a Millie's franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $253,500 to $556,500. Millie's disclosed average gross sales of $552,417 in 2025. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.
What is the failure rate of Millie's franchises?
In the 2025 FDD, Millie's reported 0 terminated franchises and 2 non-renewals out of 14 total locations. Franchise closures can result from many factors including market conditions, operator decisions, lease expirations, and franchisor enforcement actions. The FDD's Item 20 provides the most detailed unit turnover data.
How long does it take to break even with a Millie's franchise?
Break-even timelines for Millie's franchises are not disclosed in the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Break-even periods vary significantly based on initial investment level, local market conditions, operating costs, and revenue ramp-up speed. Prospective franchisees should build a pro forma financial model using Item 7 cost estimates and, where available, Item 19 financial performance data from the FDD.
Is Millie's a franchise or a corporate-owned business?
As of the 2025 FDD, Millie's operates 9 franchised locations and 5 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.
Interested in Millie's?
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