What is the typical setting for a Ben Jerrys 'Community' shop?
Ben_Jerrys Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Note 1: As is standard business practice for Ben & Jerry's, each scoop shop has been assigned one of three customer profile categories: Community, Tourist, or Quick Fix.
A) A Community shop's primary customers are residents of the area who visit Ben & Jerry's as an occasional splurge, typically in a leisure-time setting. They may consider the shop to be "their local Ben & Jerry's." Real estate types include downtowns, lifestyle centers, strip centers, and malls. With the exception of malls, these are typically storefront locations, over 700 square feet, with seating for customers, and they typically serve a full menu. Mall locations are typically walk-up counters or kiosks with a limited menu, and rely on shared seating with other businesses or have no seating at all.
Source: Item 19 — FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPRESENTATIONS (FDD pages 76–81)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Ben Jerrys's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a 'Community' shop is designed to primarily serve local residents who view visiting Ben Jerrys as an occasional treat during their leisure time. These customers often consider the shop as their neighborhood Ben Jerrys location. The document specifies that Ben Jerrys assigns each shop one of three customer profile categories: Community, Tourist, or Quick Fix.
The real estate options for a Community shop include downtown areas, lifestyle centers, strip centers, and malls. With the exception of mall locations, these shops are typically storefronts exceeding 700 square feet and include seating for customers. These locations usually offer a full menu of Ben Jerrys products.
However, mall locations differ, typically operating as walk-up counters or kiosks with a limited menu. These mall-based shops often rely on shared seating arrangements with other businesses or may not offer any seating at all. This variation allows Ben Jerrys to adapt its Community shop model to different environments while still catering to local customers.