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What Are My Startup Costs?

Cold Stone Creamery ice cream franchise is a low-cost investment with high potential rewards

Cold Stone Creamery ice cream franchise has helped entrepreneurs realize their dreams of small business ownership since we started franchising the concept in 1994. Our passionate executive team has decades of experience helping entrepreneurs realize the full potential of small business ownership; our business model was designed to be easy to open and easy to scale, with initial investment costs well below those of other ice cream or dessert concepts. The total investment estimate for a Cold Stone Creamery franchise ranges from $57,200 to $627,775.

Here’s our FDD Item 7*, which details the specific startup costs of our franchise offering:

Traditional Cold Stone Creamery Restaurant

Type of Expenditure
Initial Franchise Fee
Amount$12,000 to $27,000
Method of PaymentLump Sum
When DueAt Signing of Franchise Agreement
To Whom Payment is to be MadeUs
Rent/Security Deposit (for 3 months)
Amount$9,750 to $19,500
Method of PaymentAs Incurred
When DuePrior to Opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeLandlord(s)
Travel and Living Expenses (2 persons) while training, not including salaries, if any, for you and your employees
Amount$3,000 to $7,500
Method of PaymentAs incurred
When DueAs incurred
To Whom Payment is to be MadeAirlines, hotels, car rental agency & restaurants
Lease Review Fee
Amount$0 to $2,500
Method of PaymentLump Sum
When DueAt Signing of Franchise Agreement
To Whom Payment is to be MadeUs
Architectural Fees
Amount$8,000 to $21,000
Method of PaymentAs incurred
When DuePrior to Opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeLicensed and Approved Architect
Leasehold Improvements
Amount$102,000 to $275,500
Method of PaymentAs incurred
When DuePrior to Opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeApproved Contractors and Vendors
Exterior Signage
Amount$10,500 to $16,000
Method of PaymentAs Incurred
When DuePrior to Opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeApproved Sign Company
Equipment
Amount$129,000 to $205,000
Method of PaymentLump Sum
When DuePrior to Opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeApproved Vendors and Suppliers
PCI Compliance Costs
Amount$150 to $1,300
Method of PaymentAs billed by third party vendor
When DueAs billed by third party vendor
To Whom Payment is to be MadeApproved Vendor
Opening Inventory
Amount$8,000
Method of PaymentLump sum
When DueBefore opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeVendors & suppliers
Employee Uniforms
Amount$500 to $800
Method of PaymentLump sum
When DueBefore opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeVendors
Grand Opening Advertising
Amount$10,000
Method of PaymentLump sum
When DueWithin one month of grand opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeMedia, printing vendors, event planners, celebrities, customers
Insurance Premiums
Amount$500 to $2,500
Method of PaymentLump sum
When DueBefore opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeInsurance carrier
Permits and Licenses
Amount$2,000 to $3,000
Method of PaymentLump sum
When DueBefore opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeGovernmental entities
Telephone and Utility Deposits and Hookups
Amount$250 to $1,000
Method of PaymentLump sum
When DueBefore opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeUtility companies
Computer Training and Food Safety Certification Course
Amount$100 to $250
Method of PaymentAs needed
When DueAs incurred
To Whom Payment is to be MadeVendors, Suppliers
Miscellaneous
Amount$3,925
Method of PaymentAs incurred
When DueAs incurred
To Whom Payment is to be MadeVendors, etc.
Depository Account
Amount$3,000
Method of PaymentLump Sum; Must be replenished on a regular basis
When DueAt signing of Franchise Agreement
To Whom Payment is to be MadeYour bank (We have the right to withdraw from this account)
Additional Funds -3 month initial period
Amount$20,000
Method of PaymentAs incurred
When DueAs incurred
To Whom Payment is to be MadeUs, Employees, Various Third Parties
Total
Amount$322,675 to $627,775
Method of Payment(Does not include real estate costs, construction of the building or rent for the business location except for the initial security deposit.)
Type of Expenditure Amount Method of Payment When Due To Whom Payment is to be Made
Initial Franchise Fee $12,000 to $27,000 Lump Sum At Signing of Franchise Agreement Us
Rent/Security Deposit (for 3 months) $9,750 to $19,500 As Incurred Prior to Opening Landlord(s)
Travel and Living Expenses (2 persons) while training, not including salaries, if any, for you and your employees $3,000 to $7,500 As incurred As incurred Airlines, hotels, car rental agency & restaurants
Lease Review Fee $0 to $2,500 Lump Sum At Signing of Franchise Agreement Us
Architectural Fees $8,000 to $21,000 As incurred Prior to Opening Licensed and Approved Architect
Leasehold Improvements $102,000 to $275,500 As incurred Prior to Opening Approved Contractors and Vendors
Exterior Signage $10,500 to $16,000 As Incurred Prior to Opening Approved Sign Company
Equipment $129,000 to $205,000 Lump Sum Prior to Opening Approved Vendors and Suppliers
PCI Compliance Costs $150 to $1,300 As billed by third party vendor As billed by third party vendor Approved Vendor
Opening Inventory $8,000 Lump sum Before opening Vendors & suppliers
Employee Uniforms $500 to $800 Lump sum Before opening Vendors
Grand Opening Advertising $10,000 Lump sum Within one month of grand opening Media, printing vendors, event planners, celebrities, customers
Insurance Premiums $500 to $2,500 Lump sum Before opening Insurance carrier
Permits and Licenses $2,000 to $3,000 Lump sum Before opening Governmental entities
Telephone and Utility Deposits and Hookups $250 to $1,000 Lump sum Before opening Utility companies
Computer Training and Food Safety Certification Course $100 to $250 As needed As incurred Vendors, Suppliers
Miscellaneous $3,925 As incurred As incurred Vendors, etc.
Depository Account $3,000 Lump Sum; Must be replenished on a regular basis At signing of Franchise Agreement Your bank (We have the right to withdraw from this account)
Additional Funds -3 month initial period $20,000 As incurred As incurred Us, Employees, Various Third Parties
Total $322,675 to $627,775 (Does not include real estate costs, construction of the building or rent for the business location except for the initial security deposit.)

Non-Traditional Cold Stone Creamery Restaurant

Type of Expenditure
Initial Franchise Fee
Amount$8,000 to $20,000
Method of PaymentLump Sum
When DueAt Signing of Franchise Agreement
To Whom Payment is to be MadeUs
Rent / Security Deposit (for 3 months)
Amount$0 to $19,500
Method of PaymentAs Incurred
When DuePrior to Opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeLandlord(s)
Travel and Living Expenses (2 persons) while training, not including salaries, if any, for you and your employees
Amount$3,000 to $7,500
Method of PaymentAs incurred
When DueAs incurred
To Whom Payment is to be MadeAirlines, hotels, car rental agency & restaurants
Lease Review Fee
Amount$0 to $2,500
Method of PaymentLump Sum
When DueAt Signing of Franchise Agreement
To Whom Payment is to be MadeUs
Architectural Fees
Amount$3,500 to $16,000
Method of PaymentAs incurred
When DuePrior to Opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeLicensed Design Architect
Leasehold Improvements
Amount$0 to $189,000
Method of PaymentAs incurred
When DuePrior to Opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeApproved Contractors and Vendors
Exterior Signage
Amount$2,000 to $16,000
Method of PaymentAs Incurred
When DuePrior to Opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeApproved Sign Company
Equipment
Amount$9,000 to $165,000
Method of PaymentLump Sum
When DuePrior to Opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeApproved Vendors and Suppliers
PCI Compliance Costs
Amount$150 to $1,300
Method of PaymentAs billed by third party vendor
When DueAs billed by third party vendor
To Whom Payment is to be MadeApproved Vendor
Opening Inventory
Amount$1,000 to $8,000
Method of PaymentLump sum
When DueBefore opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeVendors & suppliers
Employee Uniforms
Amount$200 to $800
Method of PaymentLump sum
When DueBefore opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeVendors
Grand Opening Advertising
Amount$5,000
Method of PaymentLump sum
When DueWithin one month of grand opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeMedia, printing vendors, event planners, celebrities, customers
Insurance Premiums
Amount$500 to $2,500
Method of PaymentLump sum
When DueBefore opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeInsurance carrier
Permits and Licenses
Amount$500 to $3,000
Method of PaymentLump sum
When DueBefore opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeGovernmental entities
Telephone and Utility Deposits and Hookups
Amount$250 to $1,000
Method of PaymentLump sum
When DueBefore opening
To Whom Payment is to be MadeUtility companies
Computer Training and Food Safety Certification Course
Amount$100 to $250
Method of PaymentAs needed
When DueAs incurred
To Whom Payment is to be MadeVendors, Suppliers
Miscellaneous
Amount$1,000 to $3,925
Method of PaymentAs incurred
When DueAs incurred
To Whom Payment is to be MadeVendors, etc.
Depository Account
Amount$3,000
Method of PaymentLump Sum; Must be replenished on a regular basis
When DueAt signing of Franchise Agreement
To Whom Payment is to be MadeYour bank (We have the right to withdraw from this account)
Additional Funds -3 month initial period
Amount$20,000
Method of PaymentAs incurred
When DueAs incurred
To Whom Payment is to be MadeUs, Employees, Various Third Parties
Total
Amount$57,200 - $484,275
Method of Payment(Does not include real estate costs and/or rent for the business location except for the initial security deposit.)
Type of Expenditure Amount Method of Payment When Due To Whom Payment is to be Made
Initial Franchise Fee $8,000 to $20,000 Lump Sum At Signing of Franchise Agreement Us
Rent / Security Deposit (for 3 months) $0 to $19,500 As Incurred Prior to Opening Landlord(s)
Travel and Living Expenses (2 persons) while training, not including salaries, if any, for you and your employees $3,000 to $7,500 As incurred As incurred Airlines, hotels, car rental agency & restaurants
Lease Review Fee $0 to $2,500 Lump Sum At Signing of Franchise Agreement Us
Architectural Fees $3,500 to $16,000 As incurred Prior to Opening Licensed Design Architect
Leasehold Improvements $0 to $189,000 As incurred Prior to Opening Approved Contractors and Vendors
Exterior Signage $2,000 to $16,000 As Incurred Prior to Opening Approved Sign Company
Equipment $9,000 to $165,000 Lump Sum Prior to Opening Approved Vendors and Suppliers
PCI Compliance Costs $150 to $1,300 As billed by third party vendor As billed by third party vendor Approved Vendor
Opening Inventory $1,000 to $8,000 Lump sum Before opening Vendors & suppliers
Employee Uniforms $200 to $800 Lump sum Before opening Vendors
Grand Opening Advertising $5,000 Lump sum Within one month of grand opening Media, printing vendors, event planners, celebrities, customers
Insurance Premiums $500 to $2,500 Lump sum Before opening Insurance carrier
Permits and Licenses $500 to $3,000 Lump sum Before opening Governmental entities
Telephone and Utility Deposits and Hookups $250 to $1,000 Lump sum Before opening Utility companies
Computer Training and Food Safety Certification Course $100 to $250 As needed As incurred Vendors, Suppliers
Miscellaneous $1,000 to $3,925 As incurred As incurred Vendors, etc.
Depository Account $3,000 Lump Sum; Must be replenished on a regular basis At signing of Franchise Agreement Your bank (We have the right to withdraw from this account)
Additional Funds -3 month initial period $20,000 As incurred As incurred Us, Employees, Various Third Parties
Total $57,200 - $484,275 (Does not include real estate costs and/or rent for the business location except for the initial security deposit.)

*Please refer to the full Item 7 in our current FDD for additional details.

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