Cold Stone Creamery Franchise: Cost, Fees & Availability
Cold Stone Creamery Franchise Facts
| Total Investment | $336K–$655K |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $27K |
| Royalty | 6% |
| Avg. Unit Revenue (Item 19) | $621K |
| Total Units | 992 |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Franchising Since | 1994 |
| Liquid Capital Required | $125K |
| Category | Food & Beverage |
18 data points independently verified by FranchiseKI with per-field sources (last verified 2026-06-11).
Where Is Cold Stone Creamery Available?
Cold Stone Creamery is actively selling franchises in all 50 US states. Specific territories are confirmed when you inquire.
Risk Flags From Market Research
- Caution: Historically among the worst SBA loan default rates in franchising (source: Law Offices of Spotora & Associates summary of WSJ SBA-default analysis)
- Caution: Longstanding franchisee complaints about unit economics (source: Unhappy Franchisee - Cold Stone Creamery Franchise Complaints)
- Note: Recent net unit growth contrasts with historical contraction (source: Franchise Chatter 2025 FDD review)
Every flag is sourced from public market research — never editorial opinion. Brands can claim their listing to respond.
Get the Full Due Diligence Report — Free
FranchiseKI is the world's first platform that does your franchise due diligence for you: AI matching against 300+ verified brands, side-by-side comparisons, sourced red flags, and a free Due Diligence Dossier. See the full interactive Cold Stone Creamery profile or explore all franchises.
Data is compiled from public sources (FDDs, franchisor disclosures, franchise directories) and verified where possible. Always confirm details against the brand's current FDD before investing.