How much does it cost to open a Bruster's Real Ice Cream franchise?

The total initial investment for a Bruster's Real Ice Cream franchise ranges from $409,033 to $2,644,060. This includes the franchise fee of $40,000, buildout costs, equipment, and initial working capital.

What are the ongoing fees for a Bruster's Real Ice Cream franchise?

Bruster's Real Ice Cream franchisees pay a 5.0% royalty fee and a 3.0% advertising/marketing fund contribution. These are typically calculated as a percentage of gross revenue.

How much money can you make with a Bruster's Real Ice Cream franchise?

Based on Item 19 financial performance data, the median Bruster's Real Ice Cream franchise generates $662,405 in annual revenue. Estimated owner profit is approximately $79,489.

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Dessert

Bruster's Real Ice Cream Franchise Cost Breakdown

Complete investment analysis based on official FDD data

Total Investment

$409,033 – $2,644,060

Franchise Fee

$40,000

Royalty Rate

5.0%

Initial Investment Range

Low: $409,033 High: $2,644,060

The total initial investment to open a Bruster's Real Ice Cream franchise ranges from $409,033 to $2,644,060, as disclosed in their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the one-time franchise fee of $40,000.

Midpoint estimate: $1,526,546

Franchise Fee

$40,000

One-time initial fee

The Bruster's Real Ice Cream franchise fee is a one-time upfront payment made to the franchisor when you sign the franchise agreement. This fee grants you the right to operate under the Bruster's Real Ice Cream brand and is included in the total initial investment range above.

Ongoing Fees

Royalty Fee

5.0%

of gross revenue

Ad/Marketing Fund

3.0%

of gross revenue

Total Ongoing Fee Burden: 8.0% of gross revenue

Combined royalty and advertising fund contributions before any other fees.

Other Ongoing Fees

Fee Type	Rate	Type	Notes
Royalty	5.0	PCT	Payable on the third day of each Period (7-day accounting interval). Collected by electronic funds transfer. Gross Sales includes all revenue from sale of items/services at or from the store, barter proceeds, business interruption insurance, payments in cash or credit regardless of theft or collection. Excludes sales taxes.
Marketing Fund Contribution	3.0	PCT	Payable at same time and in same manner as royalties. Allocated among marketing initiatives. Franchisor encourages (but does not require) additional 3-5% spend on local store marketing.
Technology Fee	150.0	FIXED	Currently not charged, but franchisor reserves right to institute in the future upon notice. Maximum 5% annual increase if implemented.
Additional Tech Vendor Fees	N/A	VARIABLE	Fees for products/services from tech vendors beyond those covered by Technology Fee. Paid directly to vendors in ordinary course of business.
Transfer Fee	20000.0	FIXED	Due at time of transfer. For transfer upon disability or death of franchisee's principal, no transfer fee charged (only reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses).
Supplier/Vendor or Supplies Approval	N/A	VARIABLE	Only due if franchisee proposes new supplier or vendors not previously approved. Includes cost of inspection of supplier's facilities and/or test of samples, plus actual related costs and expenses.
Inspection or Audit	N/A	VARIABLE	Due upon demand. If understatement of 2% or more discovered, or if franchisee failed to timely provide sales reports or maintain records, franchisee must reimburse franchisor for costs including travel, lodging, wages, accounting and legal costs.
Interest	1.5	PCT	Only due if franchisee does not make proper payment on time. Interest begins to accrue when payment was initially due. Will not exceed maximum rate under state law if applicable.
Securities Offering Fee	10000.0	FIXED	Only due if franchisee or affiliate engages in securities offering. Amount is $10,000 or franchisor's reasonable costs and expenses if more. Franchisee must also indemnify franchisor.
Relocation Fee	10000.0	FIXED	Only due if franchisee proposes to relocate franchise. Due at time of relocation.
Cost of Enforcement or Defense	N/A	VARIABLE	Due upon demand. Only if: (a) franchisee in default and franchisor incurs enforcement/termination costs; (b) franchisor successfully defends claims from franchisee; or (c) franchisor incurs defense costs except where court determines claim caused solely by franchisor's gross negligence or willful misconduct. Includes reasonable accounting and attorneys' fees.
Convention Fee	2000.0	FIXED	Only due if franchisee or representative does not attend franchisor's convention. Additional $300 fee if franchisee does not attend regional or other meetings.
Operations Meeting Fee	200.0	FIXED	Only due if franchisee or representative does not attend scheduled operations meeting.
Insurance	N/A	VARIABLE	Only due if franchisee fails to purchase required business insurance and franchisor buys insurance for franchisee (franchisor not obligated to do so).
Management Fee	6.0	PCT	Only due if franchisee or Operating Owner becomes incapacitated and franchisor temporarily takes over operation until franchisee/Operating Owner resumes control or transfers business. In addition to Royalty Fee and Advertising Fee. Also includes franchisor's direct out-of-pocket costs and expenses. Payable with Royalty and Advertising Fee.
Indemnification	N/A	VARIABLE	Only due if indemnification clause is invoked. Franchisee must defend suits at own cost and hold franchisor harmless against suits involving damages from franchisee's operation, including related securities offerings.

What You Get

Financial Performance (Item 19)

Median Revenue

$662,405

per year, per location

Profitability Estimate

Estimated Owner Profit

$79,489

per year

Profit Margin

12.0%

of revenue

Estimation method: benchmark

Estimated ROI (Simple Payback): 19.2 years

Based on midpoint investment of $1,526,546 and estimated annual owner profit of $79,489.

Unit Growth & Failure Rate

Avg. Annual Closure Rate

N/A

Net Unit Growth

-180 units

From 2022 to 2025

Unit Activity History

Year	Start	Opened	Closed	Transfers	End
2022	180	—	—	—	186
2023	186	—	—	—	193
2024	193	—	—	—	205
2025	—	+4	—	—	—

Is a Bruster's Real Ice Cream Franchise Worth It?

Based on the FDD data, here is a data-driven snapshot of the Bruster's Real Ice Cream franchise opportunity:

Overall Score

72/100

Strong opportunity

Est. Payback Period

19.2 yrs

Longer payback

Risk Level

N/A

Insufficient data

Bruster's Real Ice Cream scores well across our evaluation criteria, indicating a strong franchise system. With median unit revenue of $662,405 and a combined fee burden of 8.0% of gross revenue, prospective franchisees should model their own financial projections carefully. For a complete analysis including risk factors, deal-breaker flags, and detailed financial modeling, see the full report.