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    Franchise opportunities compared

    Ben & Jerry’s vs Mister Softee

    Reviewed figures from each brand's Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), side by side. Each figure carries its FDD year and page. This is not a ranking or recommendation, and the two FDDs may cover different years and location groups.

    B&Ben & Jerry’s2025 FDDMister Softee2026 FDD

    Initial investment · Item 7

    Ben & Jerry’s

    $156,900 – $550,800

    2025 FDD · Item 7

    Mister Softee

    $297,000

    2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 10

    Initial franchise fee · Item 5

    Ben & Jerry’s

    $39,500

    2025 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 21

    Mister Softee

    $7,500

    2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 8

    Royalty · Item 6

    Ben & Jerry’s

    3%

    2025 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 24

    Mister Softee

    $4,045

    2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 9

    Before you compare

    • Ben & Jerry’s figures come from its 2025 FDD and Mister Softee figures from its 2026 FDD, so the years differ.
    • Ben & Jerry’s discloses more than one business format, so the investment range spans formats; the full report breaks them out.
    • Only Ben & Jerry’s has reviewed Item 19 figures here.

    Financial commitment

    Estimated initial investment (Item 7)

    Ben & Jerry’s

    $156,900 – $550,800
    2025 FDD · Item 7

    Mister Softee

    $297,000
    Total $ — $297000
    2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 10
    Standard initial franchise fee (Item 5)

    Ben & Jerry’s

    $39,500
    2025 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 21

    Mister Softee

    $7,500
    2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 8
    Royalty (Item 6)

    Ben & Jerry’s

    3%
    Royalty current
    2025 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 24

    Mister Softee

    $4,045
    Annual royalty, paid monthly under approved payment plan
    2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 9
    Brand / advertising fund (Item 6)

    Ben & Jerry’s

    2%
    Advertising Fund current — 2%
    2025 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 24

    Mister Softee

    Not available
    No reviewed brand or advertising fund fee

    System scale & health

    Total outlets (Item 20)

    Ben & Jerry’s

    154
    Outlets at end of 2024
    2025 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 81

    Mister Softee

    617
    Outlets at end of 2025
    2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 26
    Net outlet change (Item 20)

    Ben & Jerry’s

    −3
    Calculated: 157 at end of 2022 → 154 at end of 2024

    Mister Softee

    +23
    Calculated: 594 at end of 2023 → 617 at end of 2025
    Outlet exits (Item 20)

    Ben & Jerry’s

    Not available
    No complete exit records for a year

    Mister Softee

    Not available
    No complete exit records for a year
    Franchising since (Item 1)

    Ben & Jerry’s

    Not available
    Not in reviewed records

    Mister Softee

    Not available
    Not in reviewed records
    Franchisor founded (Item 1)

    Ben & Jerry’s

    Not available
    Not in reviewed records

    Mister Softee

    Not available
    Not in reviewed records

    Financial performance (Item 19), by location group

    B&Ben & Jerry’s
    Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Full-year Scoop Shops — Quick Fix
    0 percent
    other Percent
    2025 FDD · Item 19 · PDF p. 77
    Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Full-year Scoop Shops — Tourist
    28 shops
    other Count
    2025 FDD · Item 19 · PDF p. 77
    Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Full-year Scoop Shops — Total group
    16 shops
    other Count
    2025 FDD · Item 19 · PDF p. 77
    +8 more groups in the full report
    Mister Softee

    Not disclosed — no Item 19 financial performance representation

    Item 19 groups are shown separately and never combined. Revenue or sales figures are not profit. Net outlet change and turnover are Franopolis calculations from the disclosed counts; turnover is a count-based rate, not a measure of owner earnings.

    Ben & Jerry’s vs Mister Softee: common questions

    Which costs less to open, Ben & Jerry’s or Mister Softee?
    Ben & Jerry’s: $156,900 – $550,800 (2025 FDD · Item 7); Mister Softee: $297,000 (2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 10). These are each franchisor's Item 7 estimated initial investment. The low end of the disclosed estimate is lower for Ben & Jerry’s. At least one range spans several business formats. Estimates are not quotes, and the FDD years may differ.
    How do Ben & Jerry’s and Mister Softee royalties compare?
    Ben & Jerry’s: 3% (2025 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 24); Mister Softee: $4,045 (2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 9). Royalties as disclosed in Item 6; other recurring fees are listed separately.
    Which has more locations, Ben & Jerry’s or Mister Softee?
    Ben & Jerry’s: 154 (2025 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 81); Mister Softee: 617 (2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 26). Total outlets from Item 20. Outlet counts do not indicate territory availability or franchisee results.
    Do Ben & Jerry’s and Mister Softee disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Ben & Jerry’s has reviewed Item 19 figures for 11 location groups; Mister Softee makes no Item 19 financial performance representation. Different location groups are not directly comparable, and revenue is not profit.

    Answers restate the reviewed figures above. Not a ranking or recommendation.

    How Franopolis reviews FDD figures

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    Full Ben & Jerry’s report

    Every reviewed fee, Item 19 group, outlet table and territory disclosure

    Full Mister Softee report

    Every reviewed fee, Item 19 group, outlet table and territory disclosure

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    Plain-language meaning of each Item