Does Ben Jerrys offer indirect financing to franchisees?

According to Ben Jerrys's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Ben Jerrys does not offer direct or indirect financing to franchisees. Ben Jerrys also states that they will not guarantee any notes, leases, or obligations for the franchisee. Additionally, Ben Jerrys will not offer any trade credit for Ben & Jerry's products or services purchased from them.

This means that prospective Ben Jerrys franchisees will need to secure their own financing through third-party lenders to cover startup costs, inventory, and operational expenses. This is a common practice in the franchise industry, as many franchisors do not directly finance their franchisees. Franchisees should be prepared to present a solid business plan and financial projections to potential lenders to obtain the necessary funding.

While Ben Jerrys does not offer traditional financing, they do have a Manager-to-Franchisee Pathways Program. This program is designed for current Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop managers who are interested in owning a franchise. The program offers certain benefits and incentives, such as a waiver or reduction of initial franchise fees, a period of royalty waivers, and reimbursement for approved learning and development expenses. However, qualification for this program is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and managers must meet specific criteria to be considered.