What is the Ben Jerrys franchisee required to pay a design firm for, as described in Item 11?
Ben_Jerrys Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Fees.
As described in Item 5, initial franchise fees for Scoop Shops, Satellite Shops and Test Shops will be waived if you qualify for our Manager-to Franchisee Pathways Program.
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- As described in Item 11, you must pay a design firm to prepare layout and dimensions and preliminary drawings, and to prepare final plans for construction based upon the standardized design and specifications that we provide. You may use a local design firm so long as the local design firm meets our qualifications. The cost of design, plans, and permits will vary depending on store type, building conditions, local, state, and federal requirements and the scope of work. Costs listed are average based on completing design work for a standard vanilla shell; sites not brought to vanilla shell basic standards will incur additional expenses. Local, municipal, county and state regulation may require that you obtain licenses and permits to operate the Shop. See Item 11 under the heading "Construction and Layout of Shop" for additional information.
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- The cost of construction of the typical Shop will vary considerably depending on the size of the store, condition of the leasehold, cost of local financing and other local conditions, including labor costs, and materials as well as local building ordinances which may mandate higher construction costs. These costs are based on an estimated range of approximately $115 to $155 per square foot for each Shop. Costs may be significantly higher in certain areas of the country including but not limited to: large cities and metropolitan areas such as New York, Los Angeles, and others, as well as tourist areas and coastal regions.
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 28–37)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Ben Jerrys's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to pay a design firm for specific services related to the layout and construction of their shop. The design firm is responsible for preparing the layout and dimensions of the shop, creating preliminary drawings, and developing final construction plans based on Ben Jerrys's standardized design and specifications. Franchisees have the option to use a local design firm, provided that the firm meets Ben Jerrys's qualifications.
The cost for these design, plans, and permits can vary significantly, ranging from $3,500 to $12,000, depending on factors such as the type of store (Scoop Shop, Satellite Shop, or Test Shop), the existing building conditions, and local, state, and federal requirements. The listed costs are based on completing design work for a standard vanilla shell, and sites that do not meet these basic standards may incur additional expenses. Franchisees should also be aware that local regulations may require them to obtain additional licenses and permits to operate the shop, which could add to the overall cost.
This requirement ensures that all Ben Jerrys locations adhere to the brand's standards and specifications, maintaining a consistent look and feel across all franchise locations. While franchisees have some flexibility in choosing a local design firm, they must ensure that the firm meets Ben Jerrys's qualifications to maintain quality and consistency. The variability in costs highlights the importance of carefully evaluating the specific site and local regulations to accurately estimate the total investment required to open a Ben Jerrys franchise.