Little Scoops vs Carvel Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Little Scoops vs Carvel including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Little Scoops Franchise
Carvel Franchise
Investment $87,000 - $152,000$250,600 - $415,500
Franchise Fee $20,000$30,000
Royalty Fee $350/wk$2.44/gal.
Advertising Fee -$2.13/gallon
Year Founded 20021934
Year Franchised 20031947
Term Of Agreement 10 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years20 years
Renewal Fee -Then current fee


Business Experience Requirements
 
Little Scoops Franchise
Carvel Franchise
Experience -
  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Little Scoops Franchise
    Carvel Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Little Scoops Franchise
    Carvel Franchise
    Training Ongoing support as needed-
    Support Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicksCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations 0% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 25% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Little Scoops Franchise
    Carvel Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Little Scoops

    At Little Scoops, we believe birthday parties are about fun, not only for the kids, but also for the parents. A party at Little Scoops allows you to celebrate along with your kids, without having to worry about the clean up or the arrangement. Little Scoops is a children’s party place, featuring a retro 1950’s ice cream parlor motif. Partygoers are treated to a variety of interactive games all set to age-appropriate music and supervised by a staff of trained professionals. Pizza and soft drinks are served at all parties with other food options available at your request. At every Little Scoops party, children get to make their own ice cream sundaes with various colorful toppings.

    About Carvel

    In 1934 Tom Carvel opened his first ice cream shop in Hartsdale, New York. Over the years, he developed formulas and equipment for creating and serving his ice cream. The company started franchising in 1947, and by 1951 had opened 100 stores. Today the company distributes its line of ice cream, cakes, pies and other treats in its own locations and in stadiums, club stores and supermarkets.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Shoppe selling a full range of Carvel® products (a “Full Shoppe”) ranges from $250,600 to $415,500. This includes $30,000 to $32,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Shoppe selling selected Carvel® products (an “Express Shoppe”) ranges from $39,600 to $148,400.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Express Shoppe within the space of another restaurant, food service facility, or business approved by the franchisor (a “Hosted Express Shoppe”) ranges from $33,100 to $66,500. These total investment estimates for Express Shoppes and Hosted Express Shoppes include $10,000 to $12,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Shoppe in an ice cream truck (an “Ice Cream Truck”) is $95,050 to $195,000. This includes $5,000 to $7,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.

    "Entrepreneur
    #361 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #273 in Franchise 500 for 2021.