Handel's Homemade Ice Cream franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Handel's Homemade Ice Cream franchise fee is $50,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $234,500 to $720,500, with about $70,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Handel's Homemade Ice Cream FDD.
What are the Handel's Homemade Ice Cream franchise fees and investment?
The Handel's Homemade Ice Cream franchise requires a franchise fee of $50,000 and a total initial investment of $234,500 to $720,500. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $50,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $234,500 to $720,500 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $70,000 |
| US locations | 62 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Desserts) |
| Headquarters | Canfield, Ohio |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Franchising since | 1998 |
How does the Handel's Homemade Ice Cream investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream's minimum investment of $234,500 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 744 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $50,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Handel's Homemade Ice Cream belongs with franchises from $100,000 to $250,000.
What should you verify in the Handel's Homemade Ice Cream FDD?
Verify six parts of the Handel's Homemade Ice Cream Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Handel's Homemade Ice Cream discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Handel's Homemade Ice Cream?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Handel's Homemade Ice Cream:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Wow Cafe | $15,000 to $35,000 | $234,400 to $779,500 |
| Mini Monster Café | $60,000 | $235,080 to $562,065 |
| B Nutritious | $35,000 | $233,700 to $476,300 |
| Thirstea | $35,000 | $235,490 to $510,950 |
| Jojo's Grill-A-Dog | $35,000 | $233,500 to $468,900 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Handel's Homemade Ice Cream franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Handel's Homemade Ice Cream franchise ranges from $234,500 to $720,500, including a franchise fee of $50,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Handel's Homemade Ice Cream franchise?
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream lists a minimum of about $70,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Handel's Homemade Ice Cream locations are there?
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream reported 62 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Handel's Homemade Ice Cream been franchising?
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream started offering franchises in 1998 after the company was founded in 1998.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Handel's Homemade Ice Cream and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Handel's Homemade Ice Cream. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.