What is the deadline for a Ben Jerrys franchisee to request an extension of the Evaluation Period?
Ben_Jerrys Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ere is no bankruptcy information required to be disclosed in this Item.
ITEM 5 INITIAL FEES
Preliminary Agreement Deposit
If you will operate a Scoop Shop (which is not developed and operated under a Development Agreement), you will sign a Preliminary Agreement before you sign the Franchise Agreement. When you sign the Preliminary Agreement, you must pay us a non-refundable deposit (the "Preliminary Agreement Deposit"), which will be applied to your initial franchise fee. For new franchisees, the Preliminary Agreement Deposit will be $10,000; for existing franchisees, the Preliminary Agreement Deposit will be $5,000. You must locate a site during the "Evaluation Period," which is a period of twelve (12) months from the signing of the Preliminary Agreement. You may request up to two (2) six-month extensions of the Evaluation Period – each extension will be for an additional six-month period. A request for an extension of the
Source: Item 5 — INITIAL FEES (FDD pages 20–23)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Ben Jerrys's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a new franchisee operating a Scoop Shop (not under a Development Agreement) must sign a Preliminary Agreement before signing the Franchise Agreement. As part of this Preliminary Agreement, the franchisee is given an Evaluation Period of twelve months to locate a suitable site for their Scoop Shop.
The franchisee can request up to two six-month extensions to this Evaluation Period, providing additional time to find a location. However, to secure an extension, the franchisee must submit a written request to Ben Jerrys at least thirty days before the current Evaluation Period expires. Each approved extension grants an additional six months to the Evaluation Period.
This requirement ensures that Ben Jerrys is notified well in advance of any potential delays in site selection, allowing them to plan accordingly and provide support if needed. Failing to request an extension within the specified timeframe could result in the franchisee losing the opportunity to extend the Evaluation Period, potentially impacting their ability to secure a suitable location and proceed with the franchise.