Is a Ben Jerrys franchisee required to provide on-site supervision of the Shop?
Ben_Jerrys Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
A Scoop U-certified franchisee or manager is required at each location on a full-time and best-efforts basis. This person can include either:
- (a) You (as an individual or as an owner of a beneficial interest in the franchisee, who we approve) or
- (b) Your manager of a soon-to-be-opened shop (if you will not be the on-premises supervisor of the shop on a full-time basis)
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 66–67)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Ben Jerrys's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a Scoop U-certified franchisee or manager is required at each location on a full-time and best-efforts basis. This individual can be the franchisee themselves (if approved by Ben & Jerry's) or a manager if the franchisee will not be the on-premises supervisor full-time.
This requirement ensures that each Ben Jerrys location has someone knowledgeable and trained in the Ben & Jerry's system overseeing operations. This helps maintain brand standards and customer service levels. The training of the manager is important to ensure the store is run to Ben and Jerry's standards.
For a prospective franchisee, this means they must either commit to being the full-time, on-site supervisor and become Scoop U-certified, or they must hire a manager who meets these requirements. If the franchisee chooses to hire a manager, they will need to ensure that the manager completes the Scoop U training program and is certified. Ben Jerrys retains the right to approve the franchisee or manager.