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Should You Invest In A Small Business Or Franchise?

Small business or franchise — what is right for me?

The entrepreneurial bug bites a lot of people, and for good reason. Who wouldn’t want to be their own boss, run a business they love, and create a financial asset for themselves and their family? To make that dream become reality, though, a lot of hard work must be put in, and sometimes a slow start can create problems that lead to failure.

According to Investopedia, 20% of new businesses don’t survive their first year, a number that soars to 65% during the first 10 years. Only 25% make it to 15 years or more. Why? Some missed foundational blocking and tackling. Investopedia reports that businesses tend to fail due to: not satisfying a need, a bad business plan, lack of financing, bad location, inflexibility, and/or a rapid expansion.

One way to avoid those pitfalls? Compare the many differentiators between an independent small business or franchise format. Even a quick study of franchising’s options shows why so many people opt to purchase a franchise business. From site selection to the mentoring, training and support needed to weather those crucial early months, a proven franchise operation is there for any need a new franchise owner might have.

Cold Stone Creamery: Serving America’s favorite treats for decades

That’s certainly been true for Cold Stone Creamery™ franchise owners, who have been bringing frozen delights to consumers all across America and around the world for more than 30 years. “Consumers love the hundreds of ways to customize their order, and they also value a product that’s made fresh, on the premises, vs. being trucked in from elsewhere”, says Jay Goldstein, vice president of franchise development.

“What made Cold Stone Creamery unique when it was founded is what makes us unique today — The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience,” Goldstein says. “It’s like a 10-minute vacation. The customer gets that perfect ice cream flavor they want, prepared the way they want it in terms of add-ins or other customizable options, and by friendly, knowledgeable staff who make the visit a pleasure from start to finish.”

shot of cold stone creamery small business or franchise

Franchising with Kahala Brands

Cold Stone Creamery™ ice cream franchise owners have another advantage: their partnership with franchisor Kahala Brands™ and its wraparound support, including best-in-class onboarding and training, a full suite of back-office systems that support all aspects of the business, and much more.

Kahala has a rich history of brand innovation, with more than two dozen popular and growing brands in markets around the United States. Cold Stone Creamery ice cream franchise owners benefit from Kahala’s expertise long before they open, thanks to help with real-estate selection and more.

“Cold Stone Creamery ice cream shop franchise owners know they are in business for themselves, but not by themselves,” Goldstein says. “The Kahala team has done all the hard work of putting together point-of-sale and back-office systems that are easy to use, providing support with targeted marketing and promotions that are right for both national and individual-market campaigns, advisory panels that let franchise owners contribute to product R&D, and anything else an owner might want help with along the way. Through thoughtful, deliberate development of systems that can support both experienced entrepreneurs and new business owners, Kahala has created a pathway to small-business ownership that works in markets of all sizes.”

Low costs, good earning potential, and sweet treats

It all comes together to create a time-tested business model that is beloved by consumers and is a fun business to own and operate. Cold Stone is a strong brand in the growing ice cream segment, which is projected to reach $121 billion by 2028, according to Globe Newswire.

A Cold Stone Creamery can also be a good bet as far as ROI, or return on investment, is concerned. Cold Stone Creamery’s business model is designed to maximize profit-potential and is built for long-term growth. The initial investment estimate for a Cold Stone Creamery franchise ranges from $53,200 to $580,650, and average gross sales are nearly $600,000.

“Kahala has been helping entrepreneurs establish new Cold Stone Creamery businesses for a long time, building an iconic business model that requires no previous experience to become a top performer,” Goldstein continues. “That’s the best part about Cold Stone Creamery — not only is it a sound investment with tremendous support and an exceptional product, but it’s also a fun business to own. The future of Cold Stone Creamery is extremely bright!”

Own one of the leading ice cream franchises today!

Cold Stone Creamery franchise has stores across the United States and a presence in many international markets. We still have optimal territory available for new franchise expansion and development. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Cold Stone Creamery is owned by parent company Kahala Brands™, one of the world’s fastest-growing franchising companies with a portfolio of 28 quick-service restaurant concepts.

Bring an ice cream store to your community that’s likely to become a go-to destination for customers. Find out more by exploring the research pages here. If you’re ready to start a conversation with our franchise team, fill out our form here. We look forward to hearing from you!

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