Dippin' Dots vs Applegate Farm Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Dippin' Dots Franchise
Applegate Farm Franchise
Investment $112,204 - $366,950$137,650 - $322,000
Franchise Fee $15,000$25,000
Royalty Fee Varies5%
Advertising Fee Varies2%local+2% Nat'l
Year Founded 1988-
Year Franchised 2000-
Term Of Agreement 5 years5 Years +5+5+5
Term Of Agreement 5 years5 Years +5+5+5
Renewal Fee Varies-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Dippin' Dots Franchise
Applegate Farm Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Dippin' Dots Franchise
    Applegate Farm Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/No-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Dippin' Dots Franchise
    Applegate Farm Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 12 hours Classroom Training: 19 hours 80 hours over approximately two weeks. Includes both classroom and on-the-job training.
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform -
    Marketing Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing -
    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)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Dippin' Dots Franchise
    Applegate Farm Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    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 Applegate Farm

    Applegate Farm has grown to be one of the largest retail outlets for ice cream on the East Coast. In 1980, Mrs. Betty Vhay became the new owner of Applegate Farm. In an effort to oversee all aspects of the business the Vhay family moved into the original farmhouse. Mrs. Vhay became Mrs. Wayne Niles in 1991 and eventually transferred ownership to her nephew and his wife Mr. and Mrs. Jason Street. Working together, the entire family contributes to maintaining the century-old tradition of the best homemade ice cream and sweet treats in the 21st century.