The Future of Cold Stone Creamery Looks Sweet
Americans love ice cream. Food Source Information shows that 87% of Americans keep ice cream in their freezers on a regular basis. In addition to spending $8 billion a year on ice cream, studies show that the ice cream store industry market size hit nearly $6 billion in 2022, and has grown by 0.8% per year between 2017 and 2022.
In short, it’s a great time to be an ice cream franchise owner, and the market for the frozen treat shows no signs of slowing down. With a nationally renowned brand name, a menu beloved for its variety and versatility, and an online ordering platform that makes it even easier for Americans to purchase their favorite dessert, Cold Stone Creamery’s future looks sweet looking ahead to 2023. As one of the nation’s leading ice cream brands with locations across the U.S., Cold Stone Creamery is poised for growth in the year ahead, with plans to continue expanding and offer new and exciting menu items for its loyal customers.
Online Ordering Saw a Huge Increase Post-Pandemic
Because online ordering was launched before the pandemic, Cold Stone Creamery franchise owners had no wait time when transitioning into the requirements set by lockdowns.
“There’s no question that putting the menu online has helped our franchise owners through these unprecedented times,” says Blake Borwick, VP of Operations for Cold Stone Creamery. “Customers no longer needed to walk into our stores, wait in line, look at the menu boards, talk to a crew member, and make a decision. Now, they could do it from their couch or from their office, and it’s really helped to drive sales. In the middle of the pandemic, we saw a sharp increase in online ordering sales, and now, even as our customers are returning to our stores, it’s continued to play an integral part in our business. It’s had a tremendous impact.”
Online ordering saw a major increase in the restaurant business post-pandemic, because it made ordering faster, easier, and more efficient. For Cold Stone Creamery, the online ordering platform is here to stay, and the franchise will continue to offer it as an option to better serve its customers and provide them multiple ways to get their ice cream, whether they’re paying a visit to a Cold Stone storefront or ordering from home.
The Ice Cream Franchise Industry is Growing
We know ice cream is one of America’s favorite desserts. More than 90% of Americans report they eat ice cream on a regular basis, and market research shows the average American consumes approximately 23 pounds of ice cream and other frozen desserts each year. But what does the future hold for this industry? According to market research, ice cream sales are only expected to increase.
Research and Markets states that the global ice cream market reached a value of $68 billion in 2021, and predicts that by 2027, the market value for the ice cream market will reach $89 billion, rising at a CAGR of 4.92%. What’s more, even the pandemic couldn’t slow ice cream sales, which shot up in 2020 despite COVID-19 lockdowns. As one of the top ice cream franchises in the nation, Cold Stone Creamery has continued to see growth, which is proof of its staying power and strength as a brand.
Cold Stone Creamery is Ready For New Investors
With the ice cream market at an all-time high, and Cold Stone Creamery prepared for more expansion with markets available across the U.S., the Cold Stone Creamery brand is ready for new investors. The franchise has plans to expand by hundreds of locations over the next few years, with targeted areas of development in states including Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas.
“There has never been a better time to invest in a Cold Stone Creamery ice cream business franchise,” says John Wuycheck, SVP of Franchise Development. “Cold Stone is a brand with national and international name recognition. Not only do we enjoy household name recognition in America and globally, but we believe our product is far superior to what is available on the market.”
Becoming a Cold Stone Creamery franchise owner has high potential returns, while also being a low-cost investment. The total investment estimate for a Cold Stone Creamery franchise ranges from $53,200 to $580,650.
Ready to Own a Cold Stone Creamery Franchise?
If you’re ready to become a Cold Stone Creamery franchise owner, you can learn all about it, review frequently asked questions, reviews from other franchisees, and learn about Cold Stone Creamery’s competitive advantages at our research pages here.
To start a conversation with our franchise team about investing in the Cold Stone Creamery franchise opportunity, fill out our inquiry form here. We’ll be in touch with a copy of our complimentary Franchise Information Report.
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