What does the Ben Jerrys POS System cost include?
Ben_Jerrys Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
provides you with near real time transaction data with web-based reporting capabilities to meet our current requirements. The Dashboard is included in the POS platform offering.
A breakdown of estimated costs of the POS System and Dashboard is available in Item 7, Note 7. To summarize, the costs of the equipment, software, staging, and credit card equipment, and Dashboard for a one-terminal POS System range between $1,800-$2,300 plus tax. This includes POS equipment, software and hardware, one year of coverage for the POS SaaS license fee, access to Square Priority Support Services, Dashboard access, and Employee Management. The POS vendor provides integrated and PCI compliant credit card and gift card processing. If contracted, credit card processing and interchange fees are paid directly to the vendor. You should note that our Manual requires that all locations that accept credit card payments comply with the requirements of the Cardholder Information Security Program ("CISP") promulgated by Visa®, including compliance with all requirements mandated by the Payment Card Industry ("PCI").
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 43–60)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Ben Jerrys's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the costs for a one-terminal POS system range from $1,800 to $2,300, excluding tax. This encompasses the POS equipment, both software and hardware, a one-year POS SaaS license, access to Square Priority Support Services, Dashboard access, and Employee Management. The POS vendor also offers integrated and PCI compliant credit card and gift card processing.
For a Ben Jerrys franchisee, this means the initial investment in the POS system covers not only the basic equipment but also essential software and support services. The inclusion of a one-year SaaS license and access to Square Priority Support Services suggests that Ben Jerrys prioritizes ongoing support and updates for its franchisees. The integrated credit card and gift card processing simplifies payment management, although franchisees are responsible for credit card processing and interchange fees paid directly to the vendor.
Additionally, franchisees should budget for other related costs. The FDD notes that franchisees can expect to pay an additional $1,000 to $1,500 for telephone systems, DSL or cable internet access, wi-fi, and related installation and wiring costs. These costs are separate from the POS system itself and must be factored into the overall technology expenses. Franchisees are also responsible for ensuring compliance with the Cardholder Information Security Program (CISP) and Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards if they accept credit card payments.
Ben Jerrys requires franchisees to acquire, operate, maintain, and upgrade their POS system as directed. Ben Jerrys also reserves the right to change the POS system specifications in the future to adapt to technological advancements or operational needs. While Ben Jerrys aims to keep these changes infrequent and reasonable in price, the Franchise Agreement does not limit the cost of such changes. Franchisees are also responsible for hardware to support online ordering, which is estimated to cost between $1,000 and $1,500.