Cold Stone Creamery Franchise Cost (2025)
Complete cost breakdown for Cold Stone Creamery franchise: $336K–$655K investment, 6% royalty, franchise fee, and ongoing costs. From the official 2025 FDD.
Source: 2025 FDD filed in MN
Total Investment
$336K–$655K
Franchise Fee
$12K–$27K
Non-refundable
Royalty
6%
Gross Sales
Ad Fund
3%
Gross Sales
Ongoing Fees
Monthly and annual costs after opening.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty | 6% of gross sales | |
| Ad Fund | 3% of gross sales |
Revenue Context
Average Revenue
$621K
From Item 19 (2025 FDD)
Investment-to-Revenue Ratio
0.5x
Lower is better (min inv ÷ avg rev)
Annual Fee Burden
9.0%
Royalty + ad fund as % of gross sales
At average revenue of $621K, you'd pay approximately $37K/year in royalties alone, plus $19K/year in ad fund contributions.
Other Upfront Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Grand Opening Marketing Fee | $10K |
| Training Fee | — |
Cold Stone Creamery Full Profile
Growth data, risk flags, and unit trends
Investment Calculator
Model your total cost with scenarios
Franchise Glossary
Understand every fee and term