What is the standard term length of a Ben Jerrys Franchise Agreement?
Ben_Jerrys Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We may in limited markets and opportunities offer a franchisee of Scoop Shops, who is not in default and satisfies our criteria to operate additional locations, a franchise to operate a
"Satellite" Ben & Jerry's Shop (a "Satellite Shop"). A Satellite Shop will operate under the terms of the Franchise Agreement and a Satellite Addendum to Franchise Agreement (a "Satellite Addendum") (Exhibit E to this Disclosure Document). A Satellite Shop cannot operate independently of a primary franchised location and cannot be transferred without the transfer of the primary franchised location to which it is assigned. As specified in the Satellite Addendum, the term of a franchise for a Satellite Shop will be 5 years.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 9–16)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Ben Jerrys's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the standard term length for a Satellite Shop franchise is 5 years, as specified in the Satellite Addendum. This contrasts with the term length for a regular Scoop Shop, which is not specified in this excerpt.
This means that if a franchisee is granted the opportunity to operate a Satellite Ben & Jerry's Shop, the agreement will last for 5 years. This shorter term may reflect the nature of Satellite Shops, which operate under more restricted conditions than standard Scoop Shops. Specifically, Satellite Shops cannot operate independently of a primary franchised location and cannot be transferred without the transfer of the primary franchised location to which it is assigned.
Prospective franchisees should note that the 5-year term applies specifically to Satellite Shops and is governed by the Satellite Addendum to the Franchise Agreement. The FDD excerpt does not specify the term length for standard Scoop Shop franchises. Therefore, it is important for potential franchisees to clarify the standard term length for a Scoop Shop franchise with Ben Jerrys before entering into an agreement.