Ritter's Frozen Custard franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Ritter's Frozen Custard franchise fee is $25,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $526,500 to $1,138,000, with about $135,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Ritter's Frozen Custard FDD.
What are the Ritter's Frozen Custard franchise fees and investment?
The Ritter's Frozen Custard franchise requires a franchise fee of $25,000 and a total initial investment of $526,500 to $1,138,000. 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) | $25,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $526,500 to $1,138,000 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $135,000 |
| US locations | 18 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Desserts) |
| Headquarters | Newtown, Pennsylvania |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Franchising since | 1994 |
How does the Ritter's Frozen Custard investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Ritter's Frozen Custard's minimum investment of $526,500 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 305 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $25,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Ritter's Frozen Custard belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Ritter's Frozen Custard FDD?
Verify six parts of the Ritter's Frozen Custard 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 Ritter's Frozen Custard 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 Ritter's Frozen Custard?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Ritter's Frozen Custard:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| The Great Greek | $35,550 to $39,500 | $526,670 to $1,188,420 |
| Bad Ass Coffee Of Hawaii | $40,000 | $526,100 to $992,400 |
| Dunkin' | $40,000 to $90,000 | $526,900 to $1,832,500 |
| Afuri | $45,000 | $526,000 to $919,000 |
| Aroma Espresso Bar | $55,000 | $527,500 to $1,495,000 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Ritter's Frozen Custard franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Ritter's Frozen Custard franchise ranges from $526,500 to $1,138,000, including a franchise fee of $25,000, 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 Ritter's Frozen Custard franchise?
Ritter's Frozen Custard lists a minimum of about $135,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Ritter's Frozen Custard locations are there?
Ritter's Frozen Custard reported 18 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 Ritter's Frozen Custard been franchising?
Ritter's Frozen Custard started offering franchises in 1994 after the company was founded in 1990.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Ritter's Frozen Custard and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ritter's Frozen Custard. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.