If a Carvel franchisee purchases additional soft-serve machines, how will this affect their expenses?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
t (like kitchen equipment) and machinery that complies with our Standards (and for a Co-Branded Shoppe, the standards of the Co-Branded Franchisor too). Your actual costs will vary depending on a number of factors including, without limitation, building codes and health requirements of the state where your Shoppe is located.
The amounts for Full Shoppes and Co-Branded Shoppes include two soft-serve machines and one freezer. The amounts for Express Shoppes and Hosted Express Sh
Source: Item 7 — Estimated Initial Investment (FDD pages 42–52)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, purchasing additional soft-serve machines will increase a franchisee's expenses. The initial investment for equipment varies based on the type of Carvel Shoppe. Full Shoppes and Co-Branded Shoppes include two soft-serve machines and one freezer in their initial equipment package. Express Shoppes and Hosted Express Shoppes include only one soft-serve machine and one freezer.
If a franchisee chooses to purchase additional soft-serve machines, the cost ranges from $13,610 to $31,313 per machine. Additionally, purchasing an extra soft-serve freezer will cost approximately $24,000. These costs are in addition to the standard equipment package included in the initial investment for each Shoppe type.
Prospective Carvel franchisees should consider the potential benefits of additional soft-serve machines, such as increased production capacity and menu flexibility, against the significant additional capital expenditure. It is important to factor these costs into the overall financial projections for the franchise and to assess whether the potential increase in revenue justifies the investment.