Is there an option to renew the term for a Ben Jerrys Test Shop?
Ben_Jerrys Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Provision | Section in Franchise or other Agreement | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| a. Length of the franchise term | § 2.1 of Franchise Agreement, § 5 of Satellite Addendum, and Reduced Term Addendum; and § | Scoop Shop: 10 years (unless we agree to a shorter period) |
| 3 of Test Shop Addendum | Satellite Shop: 5 years (unless we | |
| agree to a shorter period) | ||
| Test Shop: Generally between 6 | ||
| and 12 months. | ||
| b. Renewal or | § 2.2 of Franchise Agreement; § | Scoop Shop: 1 additional 10-year |
| extension of the | 6 of Satellite Addendum; and § 3 | term (unless we agree to a shorter |
| term | of Test Shop Addendum | period) |
| Satellite Shop: 1 additional 5- | ||
| year term (unless we agree to a | ||
| shorter period) | ||
| Test Shop: no renewal, but if you | ||
| wish to convert the Test Shop into | ||
| a permanent Scoop Shop, you | ||
| may notify us of your request by | ||
| no later than 30 days prior to the | ||
| expiration of the Test Shop | ||
| Addendum. If we approve your | ||
| request, then we will enter into a | ||
| new Franchise Agreement (using | ||
| our then-current form of Franchise | ||
| Agreement) (see also Item 5). |
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 68–76)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Ben Jerrys's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there is no option to renew a Test Shop agreement. The standard Ben Jerrys franchise agreement for a Scoop Shop provides for one additional 10-year term, and the Satellite Shop agreement allows for one additional 5-year term, but the Test Shop agreement does not offer a renewal. However, a franchisee can request to convert the Test Shop into a permanent Scoop Shop.
To convert a Test Shop to a Scoop Shop, the franchisee must notify Ben Jerrys of their request no later than 30 days before the Test Shop Addendum expires. If Ben Jerrys approves the request, the franchisee will need to enter into a new Franchise Agreement.
It is important to note that the new Franchise Agreement will be based on Ben Jerrys's then-current form, which may have different terms and conditions than the original Test Shop agreement. This means the franchisee should carefully review the new agreement to understand any changes in obligations, fees, or other requirements.