Rainbow Cone Five Flavors
Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data
Researching Rainbow Cone Five Flavors franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
Operating since 1926, The Original Rainbow Cone franchise is famous for its signature five-flavor ice cream cone and nostalgic dessert experience that has becom
Headline figures
Quick facts
- How much does it cost to open a Rainbow Cone Five Flavors franchise?
- The Rainbow Cone Five Flavors Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $3,205,979–$4,969,378 for free standing ground-up: estimated total (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 24); $209,354–$356,561 for express: estimated total (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 34); $137,860–$223,116 for mobile / route (food truck: estimated total) (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 38); $388,629–$800,751 for in-line: estimated total (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 32). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- What ongoing fees does Rainbow Cone Five Flavors charge?
- The disclosed ongoing royalty is $6 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 16). The brand or advertising fund contribution is $3 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 16). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
- Does Rainbow Cone Five Flavors disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The Rainbow Cone Five Flavors FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 71). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
- How many Rainbow Cone Five Flavors locations are there?
- The FDD reports 27 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 80). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
What the disclosures show
- 1The 2026 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $3,205,979 – $4,969,378 (Free standing ground-up: Estimated total); $209,354 – $356,561 (Express: Estimated total); $137,860 – $223,116 (Food truck: Estimated total); $388,629 – $800,751 (In-line: Estimated total); several initial fee options apply.
- 2Item 19 covers 25 separate groups: other measures for locations; other measures for locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; other measures for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; other measures for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; other measures for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Franchised locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Affiliate-owned locations; revenue for 1 Franchised locations; revenue for 1 Franchised locations; revenue for 1 Franchised locations. They are not combined.
- 3Outlets grew by 2 in 2025, to 27 (System-wide, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
Costs · Items 5–7
What does it cost to open?
Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.
Startup Investment — Item 7
Range across 4 single-unit formats
2026 FDD · Item 7
Formats disclosed in Item 7 (4)
Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.
- Food truck: EstimatedPDF p. 38$137,860 – $223,116
- Express: EstimatedPDF p. 34$209,354 – $356,561
- In-line: EstimatedPDF p. 32$388,629 – $800,751
- Free standing ground-up: EstimatedPDF p. 24$3,205,979 – $4,969,378
Ongoing Fees — Item 6
Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.
- RoyaltyMain ongoing fee
49 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.
Financial Performance — Item 19
What results are disclosed—and for which locations?
25 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures
- Who is counted
- Crew
- Method
- Item 19 definitions
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures
- Who is counted
- Salaried managers
- Method
- Item 19 definitions
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned Express unit #2 inside Buona Beef restaurant
- Period
- affiliate-owned in-store Express unit #2
- Excluded
- Only gross sales shown because the unit is accounted as one unit within Buona Beef; affiliate-operated units do not pay franchise fees; page says operation tenure ranges from 18 years to 1 year
- Method
- Point-of-sale system segregating Rainbow Cone sales; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Free Standing Affiliate-Owned Unit #1, no drive-through; original Chicago location; established 1926; operating same location 97 years
- Period
- Gross Sales amount
- Method
- Affiliate-owned unit; internally prepared profit-and-loss statement in ordinary course of business; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Free Standing Affiliate-Owned Unit #2, with drive-through; suburb of Chicago; opened May 2021
- Period
- Brand Marketing Fund percentage
- Method
- Affiliate-owned unit; internally prepared profit-and-loss statement in ordinary course of business; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Free Standing Affiliate-Owned Unit #3, with drive-through; suburb of Chicago; opened May 2023
- Period
- Gross Profit percentage
- Method
- Affiliate-owned unit; internally prepared profit-and-loss statement in ordinary course of business; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned Express unit #3 inside Buona Beef restaurant
- Period
- affiliate-owned in-store Express unit #3
- Excluded
- Only gross sales shown because the unit is accounted as one unit within Buona Beef; affiliate-operated units do not pay franchise fees; page says operation tenure ranges from 18 years to 1 year
- Method
- Point-of-sale system segregating Rainbow Cone sales; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned Express unit #6 inside Buona Beef restaurant
- Period
- affiliate-owned in-store Express unit #6
- Excluded
- Only gross sales shown because the unit is accounted as one unit within Buona Beef; affiliate-operated units do not pay franchise fees; page says operation tenure ranges from 18 years to 1 year
- Method
- Point-of-sale system segregating Rainbow Cone sales; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned Express unit #8 inside Buona Beef restaurant
- Period
- affiliate-owned in-store Express unit #8
- Excluded
- Only gross sales shown because the unit is accounted as one unit within Buona Beef; affiliate-operated units do not pay franchise fees; page says operation tenure ranges from 18 years to 1 year
- Method
- Point-of-sale system segregating Rainbow Cone sales; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned Express unit #10 inside Buona Beef restaurant
- Period
- affiliate-owned in-store Express unit #10
- Excluded
- Only gross sales shown because the unit is accounted as one unit within Buona Beef; affiliate-operated units do not pay franchise fees; page says operation tenure ranges from 18 years to 1 year
- Method
- Point-of-sale system segregating Rainbow Cone sales; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned Express unit #11 inside Buona Beef restaurant
- Period
- affiliate-owned in-store Express unit #11
- Excluded
- Only gross sales shown because the unit is accounted as one unit within Buona Beef; affiliate-operated units do not pay franchise fees; page says operation tenure ranges from 18 years to 1 year
- Method
- Point-of-sale system segregating Rainbow Cone sales; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned Express unit #12 inside Buona Beef restaurant
- Period
- affiliate-owned in-store Express unit #12
- Excluded
- Only gross sales shown because the unit is accounted as one unit within Buona Beef; affiliate-operated units do not pay franchise fees; page says operation tenure ranges from 18 years to 1 year
- Method
- Point-of-sale system segregating Rainbow Cone sales; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned stationary seasonal Food Truck #2; operated May 2025–September 2025; truck opened in 2020
- Period
- affiliate-owned seasonal Food Truck #2
- Excluded
- Other affiliate trucks excluded because used only for catering operations
- Method
- Point-of-sale system within each truck, recording that truck's sales only; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Franchised In-Line unit #5; units opened May 2024, February 2025 and March 2025, respectively (as listed collectively)
- Period
- franchised In-Line Unit #5
- Excluded
- One franchised In-Line unit excluded because it had not operated for a full 13 periods as of March 24, 2026
- Method
- Gross sales obtained from franchisee's POS system
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned Express unit #4 inside Buona Beef restaurant
- Period
- affiliate-owned in-store Express unit #4
- Excluded
- Only gross sales shown because the unit is accounted as one unit within Buona Beef; affiliate-operated units do not pay franchise fees; page says operation tenure ranges from 18 years to 1 year
- Method
- Point-of-sale system segregating Rainbow Cone sales; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned Express unit #5 inside Buona Beef restaurant
- Period
- affiliate-owned in-store Express unit #5
- Excluded
- Only gross sales shown because the unit is accounted as one unit within Buona Beef; affiliate-operated units do not pay franchise fees; page says operation tenure ranges from 18 years to 1 year
- Method
- Point-of-sale system segregating Rainbow Cone sales; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned Express unit #7 inside Buona Beef restaurant
- Period
- affiliate-owned in-store Express unit #7
- Excluded
- Only gross sales shown because the unit is accounted as one unit within Buona Beef; affiliate-operated units do not pay franchise fees; page says operation tenure ranges from 18 years to 1 year
- Method
- Point-of-sale system segregating Rainbow Cone sales; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned Express unit #9 inside Buona Beef restaurant
- Period
- affiliate-owned in-store Express unit #9
- Excluded
- Only gross sales shown because the unit is accounted as one unit within Buona Beef; affiliate-operated units do not pay franchise fees; page says operation tenure ranges from 18 years to 1 year
- Method
- Point-of-sale system segregating Rainbow Cone sales; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned seasonal stand-alone Express kiosk #1, captive tourist/entertainment venue in Chicago; seasonal, open May 2025–September 2025
- Period
- affiliate-owned seasonal stand-alone Express Unit #1
- Excluded
- Not open in winter; limited menu
- Method
- Internally prepared P&L in ordinary course of business; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned seasonal outdoor Express unit #13 next to Buona Beef restaurant; open May 2025–September 2025; opened May 2022
- Period
- affiliate-owned outdoor seasonal Express Unit #13
- Method
- POS system segregating sales of Rainbow Cone portion; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned stationary seasonal Food Truck #1; operated May 2025–September 2025; truck opened in 2020
- Period
- affiliate-owned seasonal Food Truck #1
- Excluded
- Other affiliate trucks excluded because used only for catering operations
- Method
- Point-of-sale system within each truck, recording that truck's sales only; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate-owned stationary seasonal Food Truck #3; operated May 2025–September 2025; truck opened in 2020
- Period
- affiliate-owned seasonal Food Truck #3
- Excluded
- Other affiliate trucks excluded because used only for catering operations
- Method
- Point-of-sale system within each truck, recording that truck's sales only; unaudited
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Franchised Express unit #1; opened June 2023
- Period
- franchised Express Unit #1
- Method
- Gross sales from franchisee's POS system
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Franchised In-Line unit #2; units opened May 2024, February 2025 and March 2025, respectively (as listed collectively)
- Period
- franchised In-Line Unit #2
- Excluded
- One franchised In-Line unit excluded because it had not operated for a full 13 periods as of March 24, 2026
- Method
- Gross sales obtained from franchisee's POS system
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 1 locations
- Who is counted
- Franchised In-Line unit #4; units opened May 2024, February 2025 and March 2025, respectively (as listed collectively)
- Period
- franchised In-Line Unit #4
- Excluded
- One franchised In-Line unit excluded because it had not operated for a full 13 periods as of March 24, 2026
- Method
- Gross sales obtained from franchisee's POS system
These groups are never combined.
Outlet Changes — Item 20
How has the outlet count changed?
System-wide, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of 2025 of each year.
2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 80
Net +11 outlets, 2023–2025
Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2025 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.
Questions to investigate
Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.
For the franchisor
Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($137,860 – $4,969,378) vary most by market, and why?
Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?
Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?
Reported units went from 25 to 27 in 2025. How many new units opened, closed or changed hands?
Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?
For current and former owners
How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?
How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?
How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?
What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?
For your advisors
Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.
Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.
Sources & vintage history
Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.
Citations (2026 FDD)
- [1]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Crew · PDF p. 71
- [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Salaried managers · PDF p. 71
- [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned Express unit #2 inside Buona Beef restaurant · PDF p. 76
- [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Free Standing Affiliate-Owned Unit #1, no drive-through; original Chicago locat… · PDF p. 72; PDF p. 73
- [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Free Standing Affiliate-Owned Unit #2, with drive-through; suburb of Chicago; o… · PDF p. 74; PDF p. 73
- [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Free Standing Affiliate-Owned Unit #3, with drive-through; suburb of Chicago; o… · PDF p. 74
- [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned Express unit #3 inside Buona Beef restaurant · PDF p. 76
- [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned Express unit #6 inside Buona Beef restaurant · PDF p. 76
- [9]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned Express unit #8 inside Buona Beef restaurant · PDF p. 76
- [10]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned Express unit #10 inside Buona Beef restaurant · PDF p. 76
- [11]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned Express unit #11 inside Buona Beef restaurant · PDF p. 76
- [12]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned Express unit #12 inside Buona Beef restaurant · PDF p. 76
- [13]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned stationary seasonal Food Truck #2; operated May 2025–September… · PDF p. 77
- [14]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Franchised In-Line unit #5; units opened May 2024, February 2025 and March 2025… · PDF p. 78
- [15]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned Express unit #4 inside Buona Beef restaurant · PDF p. 76
- [16]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned Express unit #5 inside Buona Beef restaurant · PDF p. 76
- [17]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned Express unit #7 inside Buona Beef restaurant · PDF p. 76
- [18]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned Express unit #9 inside Buona Beef restaurant · PDF p. 76
- [19]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned seasonal stand-alone Express kiosk #1, captive tourist/entertai… · PDF p. 75
- [20]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned seasonal outdoor Express unit #13 next to Buona Beef restaurant… · PDF p. 76
- [21]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned stationary seasonal Food Truck #1; operated May 2025–September… · PDF p. 77
- [22]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate-owned stationary seasonal Food Truck #3; operated May 2025–September… · PDF p. 77
- [23]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Franchised Express unit #1; opened June 2023 · PDF p. 77
- [24]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Franchised In-Line unit #2; units opened May 2024, February 2025 and March 2025… · PDF p. 78
- [25]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Franchised In-Line unit #4; units opened May 2024, February 2025 and March 2025… · PDF p. 78
- [26]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 80
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD
Territory & operations
These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.
Legal & agreement
Franchisor financial statements
| Fiscal year | Measure | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | audited financial statements fiscal year ended december 28, 2025 | $2,025 |
| 2024 | audited financial statements fiscal year ended december 29, 2024 | $2,024 |
| 2023 | audited financial statements fiscal year ended december 31, 2023 | $2,023 |
These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.
SBA-backed loans to franchisees
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Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.
Related research
Brands in the same subcategory first, then the wider industry, ordered by shared business format and overlapping investment range. This is not a ranking or recommendation.
Head-to-head comparisons
At a glance
Business history
Not reviewed
Owner participation
Not reviewed
Territory language
Litigation disclosure
Not reviewed
Bankruptcy disclosure
Not reviewed
Agreement term
Not reviewed
Reader notes on wording
Our automated check found that these summaries may not match the FDD's exact wording. Read the FDD excerpt itself; it is the authoritative text. Core cost, fee, Item 19 and outlet figures are not affected.
Item 5 · PDF p. 14 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Initial franchise fee — in-line
“and for an In-Line franchise, and $20,000 for an Express franchise”
Note: Could not confirm the quoted text on cited PDF page 14; leaving unresolved.
Item 5 · PDF p. 15 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: On-site training fee remaining balance maximum
“Such balance shall not be greater than $10,000”
Note: Could not confirm the quoted text on cited PDF page 15; leaving unresolved.
Item 5 · PDF p. 14 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: On-site training fee deposit
“you must pay an on-site training fee deposit in the amount of $10,000”
Note: Could not confirm the quoted text on cited PDF page 14; leaving unresolved.
Item 5 · PDF p. 14 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Initial franchise fee — free-standing
“The Initial Franchise Fee for the grant of the franchise is $40,000 for a Free Standing franchise”
Note: Could not confirm the quoted text on cited PDF page 14; leaving unresolved.
Item 6 · PDF p. 22 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Liquidated damages royalty rate
“times 6% (the royalty rate)”
Note: Could not confirm the quoted text on cited PDF page 22; leaving unresolved.
Item 7 · PDF p. 28 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Free standing leased site: Additional funds — 3 months
“$35,000 to $75,000”
Note: Could not confirm the quoted text on cited PDF page 28; leaving unresolved.
Item 7 · PDF p. 34 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Express: Lease rental payments — first 3 months
“$2,500 to $10,000”
Note: Could not confirm the quoted text on cited PDF page 34; leaving unresolved.
Item 7 · PDF p. 38 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Food truck: Additional funds — 3 months
“$2,500 to $5,000”
Note: Could not confirm the quoted text on cited PDF page 38; leaving unresolved.
Item 7 · PDF p. 38 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Food truck: Estimated total
“$137,860 to $223,116”
Note: Could not confirm the quoted text on cited PDF page 38; leaving unresolved.
Item 7 · PDF p. 34 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Express: Design/architect fees
“$3,500 to $7,500”
Note: The cited-page OCR reads “$3.500 to $7,500”; I cannot verify the low-end figure’s punctuation as an exact $3,500 quote from this page.
Item 7 · PDF p. 38 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Food truck: Professional fees/licenses/permits
“$1,500 to $5,000”
Note: Could not confirm the quoted text on cited PDF page 38; leaving unresolved.
Item 7 · PDF p. 34 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Express: Leasehold improvements
“$70,000 to $115,000”
Note: Could not confirm the quoted text on cited PDF page 34; leaving unresolved.
Item 7 · PDF p. 28 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Free standing leased site: On-site training fee
“$12,684 to $18,603”
Note: Could not confirm the quoted text on cited PDF page 28; leaving unresolved.
Item 19 · PDF p. 70 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Item 19 franchised population count as reported
“The data provided for this statement of historical results is based on the financial performance of 21 affiliate-owned and 2 franchised The Original Rainbow Cone businesses of the types listed below.”
Note: Item 19 conflicts: the p.70 heading says 5 franchised units, while the following sentence says 2; the cited pages do not reconcile the count.
Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.