Do you want to start a snow cone business by buying a franchise? If YES, here are 12 best snow cone franchise opportunities for sale and their cost. Depending on where you plan to operate your business, your customers are going to have different taste preferences when it comes to flavor and syrup.
This you have to keep in mind when deciding which syrups and flavours you are going to offer to your customers. Snow cones are crushed either by hand or with specialized ice-crushing machines. But if you want to be successful in your business, you need to get the required machines and equipment.
You can sell your snow cones at stadiums and coliseums or at parks through an ice cream van. You can also choose to locate your business in a brick and mortar store in the neighborhood. If you want to make setting up your snow cone business easy for you, your best bet would be to buy the franchise of a successful snow cone business. We have brought you a few snow cone franchises you can choose from.
12 Best Snow Cone Franchise Opportunities for Sale and Their Cost
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Rita’s Italian Ice
Rita’s Italian Ice is a frozen treat chain that is based in Trevose, Pennsylvania. The company began in 1984 when former firefighter Bob Tumolo opened his first Italian ice store in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, naming it after his wife Rita.
His mother helped him make the Italian ice, and his brother John helped him open three more stores over the next three years, all in the Philadelphia area. Customers began asking about how to open their own Rita’s Italian Ice, so Tumolo began franchising in 1989.
Today, the chain offers frozen custard, yogurt, gelato, snow cones, milkshakes, frozen drinks, sundaes and other frozen treats in addition to its ices. Argosy Private Equity and MTN Capital acquired Rita’s Franchise Company in 2017.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $150,500 to $440,900
- Net-worth Requirement – $300,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $100,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $30,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6.5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 3%
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Sub Zero Franchise Inc.
Sub Zero Ice Cream and Yogurt franchise that also sells snow cones. Jerry and Naomi Hancock began their career by opening New York Burrito in Orem, Utah; with the idea of giving customers complete control to create their own meal. Wanting to do more in the dessert industry, Jerry Hancock used his background in chemistry to develop a method of flash-freezing ice cream using liquid nitrogen.
He and wife Naomi opened the first Sub Zero Ice Cream in Orem, Utah, in 2004, using this technology to offer customers the chance to customize their ice cream by choosing their milk base, flavors, mix-ins and texture. Sub Zero also offers a liquid nitrogen science education program that can be brought to schools.
Sub Zero Ice Cream and Yogurt can be found throughout the US and internationally in China and the United Arab Emirates, with plenty of franchise opportunities available. Sub Zero Franchise Inc. offers in-house financing to cover franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll etc.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $239,450 to $484,500
- Net-worth Requirement – $300,000 to $1,000,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $75,000 to $1,000,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $35,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
- Veteran Incentives – 25% off franchise fee
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The Haagen-Dazs Shoppe Co. Inc.
The Haagen-Dazs Shoppe Company, Inc. offers ice creams, snow cones, sorbets, frozen yogurts, single serve cups, sundae cones, bars, shakes, smoothies, cakes and shop specialties. The company produces its products through a network of stores and restaurants in the United States and internationally.
First sold exclusively in New York City gourmet shops, Häagen-Dazs ice cream started distribution in 1961. As word grew, the first franchises opened in the mid-1970s. Häagen-Dazs ice cream is distributed in more than 50 countries with shops in more than 600 locations.
The renowned brand provides training, and ongoing franchisee support,
franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable etc. to its franchisees to make their business easy.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $154,158 – $542,408
- Net-worth Requirement – $200,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $80,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $30,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 4%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 1%
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Tasti D-Lite
The first Tasti D-Lite opened in New York in 1987 by Jim Amos. The company sells a dairy-based soft serve frozen dessert including snow cones, with fewer calories and carbs than most frozen yogurts and ice creams. In addition, it offers cakes and pies, blended drinks, cups and cones, and other products, and its secret formula was said to have begun in the kitchen and was perfected in the lab.
Their stores offer a rotating selection of over 100 self-serve flavors. In 2007, the company was acquired by a private equity firm, Snow Phippps Group. The headquarters was moved to Franklin, Tennessee, and the new CEO James Amos, Jr., (former CEO of Mail Boxes Etc.) began franchising nationwide in 2008.
Tasti D Lite now serves its creamy delicious, frozen dessert in more than 100 flavors to thousands of customers each week.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $234,000 to $423,260
- Net-worth Requirement – $250,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $70,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $30,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
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Bruster’s® Real Ice Cream
Bruster’s started its ice cream business since 1989, and has gone ahead to become one of the country’s favorite frozen treat chains. And for the last 20 years, they have been ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine as a top franchise opportunity. This frozen threat company has grown to over 200 independently owned locations in 20 states including Guyana and South Korea.
The Bruster’s® difference starts with their home-style mix, delivered fresh from their dairy to each store that they serve. There, small batches of ice creams, yogurts, ices, snow cones and sorbets are made fresh daily. Each location offers a selection of 30-40 custom, decadent flavors, out of over 160 recipes to choose from, each day.
Financial Requirements
- Minimum Cash Required – $100,000
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Kona Ice
Kona Ice is a truck-based franchise that brings its Hawaiian-style shaved ice treats to customers at all kinds of events. Kona Ice was invented by Tony Lamb in Florence, Kentucky. The best part of their business is that customers get to choose and apply the flavorings themselves. Kona Ice franchises also do a lot of fundraising events with groups and organizations in the community. Besides the standard truck, there are also carts, kiosks, and trailers available to franchisees.
This company currently ranks #83 on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 List. Founded in 2007 and franchising since 2008, the number of their locations has expanded rapidly to the current total of 1,066, 18 of which are company-owned and three of which are located outside the U.S.
Financial requirements
- Liquid capital required – $25,000
- Net worth required – $50,000
- Investment – $99,800 – $109,800
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Pinkberry
Pinkberry started after the first business idea of Hye Kyung (Shelly) Hwang and Young Lee, a formal English teahouse in West Hollywood, fell apart. Their particular twist was presenting a series of tart frozen yogurt flavors that quickly gained a cult-like following.
The chain also offers sweet frozen yogurt flavors, snow cones, yogurt smoothies and shakes, and several low-fat milk ice cream flavors. Pinkberry is part of the Kahala Brands company that includes 22 quick-service restaurant brands and approximately 2,900 locations in 34 countries.
Founded in 2005 and franchising since 2006, the number of Pinkberry locations expanded rapidly to 275 in 2015. The company website currently claims 150 locations in the U.S. There are also international locations, but how many of those exist is not clearly defined.
Financial requirements
- Liquid capital required – $200,000
- Net worth required – $400,000
- Investment – $315,000 – $633,000
- Franchise fee – $35,000
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Bahama Buck’s Original Shaved Ice
Bahama Buck’s Original Shaved Ice got its start when Blake Buchanan was looking for a way to get out of taking a regular summer job like mowing grass or flipping burgers when on break from college. He actually built the first location (a snack shack) from scratch in Lubbock, Texas, with lots of help from family and friends. The menu includes snow cones, smoothies, sodas, lemonades and limeades, frostalattés (coffee), and several mixed fruit cups.
This company currently ranks #232 on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list. Founded in 1989 and franchising since 1993, the number of locations has expanded in recent years from 25 in 2009 to the current total of 113, of which four are company-owned and all are located in the U.S.
Bahama Buck’s has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll. Franchisor is seeking new franchise units in the following regions/states: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas
Financial requirements
- Liquid capital required – $35,000
- Net worth required – $120,000
- Investment – $60,000 – $140,000
- Franchise fee – $15,000
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Tikiz Shaved Ice & Ice Cream
The Tikiz product line combines two of the most popular mainstream frozen treat products that everyone loves – Ice Cream and refreshing Hawaiian Shaved Ice. These delicious products are delivered by a trustworthy operator who arrives in a fabulous truck.
The Tikiz Mobile business offers more flexibility and allows you to go where the crowds are, which includes residential and workplace locations, schools and daycares, carnivals, fairs, festivals, sporting events or special events like parades, air shows and parties.
The Tikiz menu consists of Hawaiian Shaved Ice, snow cones and pre-packaged Ice Cream. This allows the Tikiz Operator to take orders quickly, produce their products within seconds, collect the cash or credit for the order and move on to the next customer. The profit margins for Hawaiian Shaved Ice and Ice Cream are said to be extremely high for the food and beverage industry.
Financial requirements
- Liquid Capital Required – $50,000
- Total Investment – $124,750 – $135,650
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Wanna Chill?
Wanna Chill? is a business that serves a variety of cool, or what they call “chill” desserts. Their flagship product is Hawaiian Style Shave Ice. To round out the menu they also offer Ice Cream, snow cones, Frozen Yogurt, and Smoothies.
If you are in the mood for something tasty, cool, and sweet then you definitely Wanna Chill. You crave it, they shave it, scoop it, blend it, or pour it. To meet the various needs and preferences of their customers, their shave ice syrups contain no high fructose corn syrup or preservatives.
They also offer sugar free options, including a variety of “all natural” syrup flavors. Wanna Chill? has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment and inventory. The franchisor is seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $50,850 – $186,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $15,000 – $25,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
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Hokulia
Hokulia Shave Ice is a shaved ice dessert business known for its authentic Hawaiian taste, colorful food shacks and friendly employees. At Hokulia, customers have their pick of three shaved ice sizes, 50 syrup flavors made from pure cane sugar, three premium ice creams from Farr’s Ice Cream Company and several toppings imported from Hawaii, such as sno cap, which is sweetened condensed milk, a sour spray and Li Hing Mui powder.
Founded in 2009 by a Hawaii-vacationing couple determined to bring one of the most unique island treats back to the mainland, Hokulia Shave Ice has grown into an American sensation and an explosive opportunity that’s strategically partnered for success.
Inspired by the islands, the Hokulia brand was born. Their shave ice tastes so good because they literally shave the ice. After many years of operation, Clint and Stefani know the secrets of success and they are now sharing them with others through franchise.
Financial Requirements
- Investment level – $65,000-$109,000
- Liquid Capital Required: $70,000
- Net Worth Required: $500,000
- Total Investment: $122,000 – $237,000
- Franchise Fee: $40,000
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Waikomo Shave Ice
Waikomo Shave Ice is an ice dessert franchise that offers all things related to ice desserts. Waikomo prides themselves at serving desserts that use completely natural ingredients. No artificial flavors or colorings. So if this is what you are looking for, then you may have found the right place for you.
Waikomo Shave Ice has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll. Franchisor is seeking new franchise units worldwide.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $37,970 – $123,150
- Initial Franchise Fee – $19,900 – $19,900
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6%