Dippin' Dots Franchising

Founded: 1988 Franchising since: 2000
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.

1640 McCracken Blvd., #100 Paducah, Kentucky 42001

Phone: (270)575-6990

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 0 employee(s); 14 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	486	1	0	1
2008	420	0	0	2
2007	441	0	0	3
2006	448	1	0	2
2005	635	1	0	2

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, United states, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Outside the U.S.: Canada

Total investment: $80.4K-235.3K Franchise fee: $12.5K

Ongoing royalty fee: 4% Term of agreement: 5 years, renewable

Express/kiosk option available

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	No
Startup Costs	No	No
Equipment	No	No
Inventory	No	No
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: Varies
Cash liquidity requirement: Varies
Business Experience:

• General business experience
• Marketing skills
• Food-related business experience preferred

Operations

• 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 3
• Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (80% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 3 days
• At franchisee's location: 2 days

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Security/safety procedures
• Field operations/evaluations

Marketing Support

• Ad slicks
• National media

Franchise 500® rank:
#175 (2009); #112 (2008); #93 (2005);

Top New Ranking:
#2 (2005);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#136 (2009);