Dippin' Dots vs Bruster's Real Ice Cream Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Dippin' Dots vs Bruster's Real Ice Cream including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Dippin' Dots Franchise
Bruster's Real Ice Cream Franchise
Investment $112,204 - $366,950$229,200 - $1,315,000
Franchise Fee $15,000$35,000
Royalty Fee Varies5%
Advertising Fee Varies3%
Year Founded 19881989
Year Franchised 20001993
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee Varies-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Dippin' Dots Franchise
Bruster's Real Ice Cream Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		• *20% CAPITAL IN THE PROJECT. *DEDICATION TO EITHER OPERATING OR OVERSEEING *A MANAGER THAT WORKS APPROPRIATE RETAIL HOURS CULTIVATING AND MOTIVATING YOUTH. *INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY

    Financing Options
     
    Dippin' Dots Franchise
    Bruster's Real Ice Cream Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Dippin' Dots Franchise
    Bruster's Real Ice Cream Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 12 hours Classroom Training: 19 hours On-The-Job Training: 68 hours Classroom Training: 12 hours
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform *Real Estate Review and approval *Project Management *Marketing program and materials *procurement of products for operation *operations manager to support in your opening and ongoing consultations at your storePurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Complete assortment of templates and plans annually along with the support of a field marketing representative for more one on one support.

    Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app

    Operations 95% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 Absentee Ownership Allowed

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 15 - 30


    Expansion Plans
     
    Dippin' Dots Franchise
    Bruster's Real Ice Cream Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Dippin' Dots

    Research biotechnologist Curt Jones used his expertise in cryogenic freezing processes to find new ways to produce ice cream. After nearly a year of experimenting with the idea of flash-freezing his family's homemade ice cream, Jones created and sold his first cups of Dippin' Dots ice cream in 1988. Because of Jones' flash-freezing process, Dippin' Dots ice cream forms into little balls (hence the term 'dots'), but unlike freeze-dried products, the ice cream can still melt.

    Seeking new franchise units Worldwide.

    Veteran Incentives  15% off franchise fee
    "Entrepreneur
    #207 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #276 in Franchise 500 for 2021.




    About Bruster's Real Ice Cream

    Consistently ranked among the nation's top Franchises by Entrepreneur Magazine, Bruster's Real Ice Cream is one of the fastest growing ice cream franchises. Bruster's Real Ice Cream started as a family-owned ice cream shop in 1989 when founder Bruce Reed opened his first store in Bridgewater, PA. Bruce grew up in the food service business working at his family's diner just blocks away from where he opened the first Bruster's ice cream store. Today, Bruster's has more than 230 stores in the eastern United States from New Hampshire to Florida, with a majority of them being locally owned and operated. Bruster's Real Ice Cream has been consistently ranked by Entrepreneur magazine as one of the nation's leading franchise companies. Bruster's philosophy is very simple. We believe that ice cream is one of life's great, simple pleasures that can be shared with family and friends of all ages. Bruster's Real Ice Cream store owners and managers share in that philosophy and our commitment to providing only the highest quality products and service to our customers. They are highly skilled experts in making only the freshest ice cream with the finest ingredients. Our owners and managers continue to rotate flavors to keep their product offering new and exciting every time a customer visits the store.

    In addition, Bruster's Real Ice Cream is constantly developing and testing new products based on customer feedback.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Bruster’s franchised business is between $508,000 and $1,315,000 for a freestanding Unit, between $229,200 and $584,500 for an endcapUnit. This includes $35,000 that must be paid to the Franchisor or its affiliate(s) for a Unit.

    Seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S., Asia, Canada, Central America, Middle East, Mexico, Philippines and South America    

    #54 on Entrepreneur's ranking of the top 150 franchises offering incentives and other programs to help veterans become franchisees
    Veteran Incentives  50% off franchise fee

    ""
    In Franchise Business Reviews Top 200.

    "Top
    #23 in Gator's Top franchises.