Millie's^®

Food & Beverage • Year: 2026

All product and company names mentioned are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of these names does not imply any affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by them.

What Is Millie's?

Millie's is a franchise of brick-and-mortar shops (with authorized mobile food trucks) offering a menu of super-premium ice cream and dairy-free gelato made with all‑natural ingredients; select Millie's Ice Cream and Coffee Shops may also serve coffee, specialty espresso drinks and affogato. Primary service channels are in-shop sales and off-premises sales via mobile food trucks. Shops are typically 700–1,500 square feet and located in high-density urban neighborhoods, central business centers, or high-traffic retail shopping centers (standalone locations are generally not permitted unless there is significant pedestrian traffic).

Millie's Franchise: Pros and Cons

This franchise’s most notable strength is an unusually clean legal and enforcement record-0 disclosed lawsuits, 0 franchisor enforcement actions, 0 government penalties and 0 fraud cases-suggesting lower litigation risk; its main risk is a $50,000 initial franchise fee, well above Food & Beverage norms, which raises upfront cash needs.

Pros

0 disclosed lawsuits, 0 franchisor enforcement actions, 0 government penalties, and 0 cases alleging fraud - an unusually clean legal and enforcement record compared with peers (well below typical for Food & Beverage). This reduces potential legal distraction and suggests lower compliance and litigation risk for operators.

0 signed-but-not-open units (well below typical for Food & Beverage) - there’s no backlog of pending openings to step into, so you won’t inherit a queue of delayed projects or onboarding headaches tied to prior signings.

0 outlet terminations (well below typical for Food & Beverage) - the franchisor has not been terminating franchise agreements, which typically means fewer forced closures and less enforcement friction in the field.

Cons

The $50,000 initial franchise fee is well above typical for Food & Beverage (top quarter) - this increases the upfront cash you must have on hand before opening.

There are 2 outlet non-renewals, which is unusually high for a system this size (top 10%) - this suggests some franchisees have chosen to exit the system earlier than expected.

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

100

Excellent

Millie's reported no material legal proceedings,

Territory Protection

43/100

NORMAL

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

66/100

NORMAL

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 2026 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

$253,500

Franchise Fee

Real Estate

Equipment & Assets

Reserves

Training

Other

Maximum Investment

$556,500

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$50,000

Real Estate$64,000

Equipment & Assets$56,500

Reserves$15,000

Training$1,500

Other$66,500

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$50,000

Real Estate$291,000

Equipment & Assets$90,500

Reserves$25,000

Training$2,500

Other$97,500

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 Millie's Franchise Owners Make?

Millie's franchise locations reported average gross sales of $552,417 and median gross sales of $518,402 in 2026, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Average Gross Sales:

$552,417

Median Gross Sales:

$518,402

High Gross Sales:

$624,972

Low Gross Sales:

$513,877

Sample Size:

Audit Status:

Unaudited

Franchise vs Corporate Performance: Franchised standard 7-day Shops (average CY2024 gross sales 552,417) performed roughly in line with corporate-owned standard Shops (two corporate standard Shops average 544,185.5), indicating similar revenue levels between ownership types in the standard format.

Performance Variability Analysis: Within the franchised standard 7-day sample there is a moderate spread in CY2024 gross sales (low 513,877; high 624,972), a range of 111,095, showing meaningful variability even among the small sample of similar-format outlets.

Data Scope and Limitations: The Item 19 data are limited to CY2024 and a small, Pittsburgh-area sample (three franchised standard Shops), exclude partial-year outlets, and contain no audited or expense/P&L figures, so conclusions should be viewed as preliminary and location-specific.

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 2026 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 2026. 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 2026 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 2026 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 2026 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?

Get more information and connect with the franchise directly.