Established
2017
Franchise Units
12
Minimum Investment
$180,000
Franchise Fee
$30,000
Total Investment Range
$350,000
Home Based
No
Description
Ked’s Ice Cream, Waffles & Crepes has quickly become a go-to dessert destination for families, students, and sweet-toothed dessert lovers across several markets. Known for its warm, hospitality-driven atmosphere and its wide selection of handcrafted ice cream, freshly baked waffles, crispy crepes, and premium dessert combinations, the brand stands out in a competitive market by offering both quality and creativity.
As consumer demand continues to shift toward experiential, premium dessert cafés, Ked’s has positioned itself as a modern, Instagram-friendly, community-centric dessert franchise with broad appeal. Every store is designed to offer a memorable experience—fresh ingredients, aesthetic presentation, and a versatile menu that comfortably fits casual dining, quick treats, family outings, late-night desserts, and special celebrations.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Ked’s offers a franchise model that blends low food cost, strong margins, manageable staffing, and a high-demand product category. With the dessert café segment booming across the USA, Ked’s Ice Cream, Waffles & Crepes stands out as a scalable and profitable opportunity for first-time business owners and seasoned investors alike.
Why Invest in Ked’s Ice Cream, Waffles & Crepes?
Investing in Ked’s means entering a sector that continues to show resilience and strong consumer loyalty. Dessert cafés deliver consistent traffic, repeat purchases, and a wide demographic reach—from families to students to young professionals seeking a social hangout.
Here’s why the franchise stands out:
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High-margin menu items: Ice cream, waffles, and crepes offer strong profit potential with low food waste.
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Steady demand year-round: Desserts aren’t seasonally dependent; the franchise enjoys foot traffic throughout the year.
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Simple operations: No heavy cooking or complex kitchen requirements, making staff training and operations straightforward.
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Brand versatility: Works well in malls, downtown districts, suburban plazas, tourist areas, and near schools/universities.
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Growth-focused model: Built for multi-unit investors as well as individual owners.
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Social media appeal: Desserts naturally attract organic awareness, user-generated content, and strong local buzz.
Background
Ked’s Ice Cream, Waffles & Crepes was founded in 2017 with a simple but ambitious vision—to create a dessert café where quality, creativity, and comfort come together. The brand began as a small dessert shop built on the belief that freshly prepared waffles, handcrafted ice cream, and gourmet crepes could deliver an experience far beyond the standard dessert offering.
What started as a neighborhood favorite quickly grew into a recognized café concept known for its warm atmosphere, generous servings, and visually appealing presentations that naturally resonated with younger audiences, families, and food enthusiasts. The early success inspired the brand to formalize its operating systems, refine its menu engineering, and introduce a franchise model designed for scalability.
Founders: Ked’s was created by a passionate group of dessert enthusiasts led by Kevin D’Souza, whose background in hospitality, culinary development, and café operations shaped the foundation of the brand. His approach combined global dessert influences with an emphasis on freshness, presentation, and a community-centered guest experience.
Established Year: 2017
Industry Category: Dessert Café Franchise, QSR, Specialty Foods
Current Franchise Active Units: 12+ units operating across key markets, with several new stores in development.
Over the years, Ked’s has continued to evolve with new menu innovations, improved operational systems, and modern store design. Its strong identity—stylish, friendly, and comfort-driven—has made it a versatile concept suitable for malls, college towns, suburban neighborhoods, and high-traffic retail plazas.
Today, Ked’s Ice Cream, Waffles & Crepes is steadily positioning itself for widespread national expansion in the USA, offering franchise partners a proven business model rooted in high margins, low complexity, and consistent consumer demand.
Support Training
Ked’s Ice Cream, Waffles & Crepes places strong emphasis on preparing franchise owners for long-term success. Whether you’re a first-time business owner or a seasoned operator, the support ecosystem ensures you're never operating alone.
Pre-Launch Support
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Assistance with site selection, demographic analysis, and lease negotiation.
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Architectural design guidance that reflects the brand’s modern café aesthetic.
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Vendor onboarding and equipment sourcing to ensure cost efficiency.
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Grand opening planning and marketing support to drive initial traffic.
Operational Training
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A comprehensive multi-day training program covering product preparation, quality control, customer service, POS systems, and inventory management.
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Back-of-house and front-of-house training modules crafted for staff and managers.
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Operational manuals with standardized recipes, procedures, and daily checklists.
Marketing & Branding Support
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Local marketing playbook to help franchisees build buzz quickly.
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Social media guidance, seasonal promotion templates, and digital marketing support.
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National-level brand marketing initiatives and community event strategies.
Ongoing Support
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Regular field visits, business reviews, and operational assessments.
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New product development updates and seasonal menu rollouts.
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Technology support for ordering systems, software updates, and inventory tools.
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Access to the franchise’s support portal with resources, training videos, and marketing assets.
Ideal Candidate
Ked’s Ice Cream, Waffles & Crepes is designed for entrepreneurs who value hospitality, customer experience, and local community engagement. You may be an ideal fit if you:
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Have a passion for food, desserts, and customer service.
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Are looking for a business with manageable staffing and operations.
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Possess basic business management or leadership skills (though not mandatory).
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Are comfortable engaging with customers, managing a small team, and maintaining high service standards.
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Can commit to hands-on involvement during the early months of operation.
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Have the financial capability to support the initial investment and working capital needs.
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Prefer a franchise that offers strong training, clear systems, and ongoing support.
Locations that perform best include malls, high-foot-traffic plazas, family neighborhoods, tourist areas, entertainment districts, and school/university zones.
Financial Detail
| Category | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Total Investment | $180,000 – $350,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | $60,000 – $100,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $30,000 – $40,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% – 6% of sales |
| Marketing Fee | 1% – 2% of sales |
| Build-Out Cost | $120,000 – $250,000 |
| Equipment Cost | $35,000 – $70,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| Working Capital | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| Break-Even | 12 – 20 months |
| Expected ROI | 2 – 3 years |