Established
1989
Franchise Units
60
Minimum Investment
$250,000
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Total Investment Range
$420,000
Home Based
No
Description
Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream and Treatery is one of America’s most playful and imaginative frozen-dessert franchise concepts—known for handcrafted super-premium ice cream, whimsical creations, and a family-friendly brand personality that has resonated with communities for decades. As part of the global FAT Brands portfolio, Maggie Moo’s combines nostalgic charm with modern operational systems, giving franchisees the brand strength, team training, and marketing engines needed to compete in the booming ice-cream and specialty dessert market.
Across the United States, Maggie Moo’s stands out for its inventive flavors, signature ice-cream artistry, and vibrant store design that turns every visit into an experience. The franchise continues to expand in high-traffic areas, lifestyle centers, malls, and suburban neighborhoods where family spending remains strong. For entrepreneurs seeking a recognizable dessert brand with strong operational support and a proven business model, Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream and Treatery offers an attractive, scalable, and creatively rich opportunity.
Why Invest in the Maggie Moo’s Franchise?
Investing in Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream and Treatery means stepping into a beloved American brand with decades of brand equity, deep product innovation, and a franchisor with broad, well-structured support systems.
Here’s why investors are drawn to Maggie Moo’s:
• Strong Brand Recognition: Known for its cow-themed branding, award-winning flavors, and unique ice-cream creations.
• Expansive Market Demand: The U.S. frozen-dessert industry exceeds billions annually, with year-round consumer demand across climates.
• Operational Simplicity: No complex cooking equipment, minimal labor needs, and streamlined workflows allow for easier management.
• Multiple Revenue Streams: Ice-cream cups, cakes, shakes, mix-ins, catering, custom cakes, and retail packaged treats.
• Backing from FAT Brands: Franchisees benefit from world-class marketing, national supply chain efficiencies, and robust franchise infrastructure.
• Strong Community Appeal: Ideal for local neighborhood engagement, school programs, fundraising partnerships, and high-margin custom cakes.
Background
Established Year: 1989
Founders: Juel Tillery and other early partners who helped grow the brand through a handcrafted ice-cream philosophy.
Current Ownership: Now part of FAT Brands Inc., a major multi-brand restaurant franchisor.
Franchise Active Units (Approx.): 60+ locations across the United States, including multi-brand co-branded stores under the Marble Slab Creamery system.
Industry Category: Ice Cream, Frozen Desserts, Quick-Service Treats, Specialty Foods.
Maggie Moo’s began as a small handcrafted ice-cream shop known for its creamy textures and mix-in style. Over the years, the brand captured the attention of dessert lovers with its playful personality, colorful stores, and premium product quality. Strategic growth, franchising, and innovation in the frozen-treat space helped position Maggie Moo’s as a nationally recognized dessert brand.
With its acquisition by FAT Brands, Maggie Moo’s gained the advantage of modern franchise systems, national brand resources, enhanced supply chain management, and shared operational efficiencies across multiple co-branded dessert concepts. Today, the brand continues to evolve with new menu items, modern store layouts, and digital-marketing strategies targeting families, teens, and event-based spending.
Support Training
Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream and Treatery offers a structured, high-touch support program designed to prepare franchisees for both day-to-day operations and long-term brand success. This includes:
Pre-Launch Support
• Territory review and demographic analysis
• Assistance with site selection and lease negotiations
• Store design, layout, branding, and construction guidance
• Vendor sourcing, supply-chain setup, and operational planning
• Pre-opening marketing strategy and grand-opening blueprint
Operational Training
• Multi-day training at corporate headquarters and operational training in a certified franchise store
• Front-of-house and back-of-house training for owners and staff
• Product preparation, ice-cream handling, mix-ins, cake production, safety procedures
• Inventory systems, POS operations, quality control standards
• Staff management, scheduling, and customer-service training
Marketing & Growth Support
• National brand marketing campaigns
• Digital ads, seasonal promotions, and social-media toolkits
• Menu innovation and new product rollouts
• Local-store marketing guidance for schools, community events, and catering programs
• Access to branded assets and creative support
Ongoing Support
• Franchise business consultants
• Continuous operational audits and performance reviews
• Technology updates, reporting tools, and supply-chain enhancements
• Training refreshers, webinars, and franchisee community events
Ideal Candidate
A Maggie Moo’s franchise is well-suited for entrepreneurs who want a fun, community-focused business with strong brand recognition and manageable operations.
Ideal candidates include:
• First-time business owners looking for a structured and supportive franchise system.
• Multi-unit food & beverage operators seeking a low-complexity, high-margin addition to their portfolio.
• Family-owned investors who enjoy businesses that naturally attract children, teens, and families.
• Semi-absentee owners who want a business with straightforward operations and a trained team running the store.
• Entrepreneurs passionate about hospitality, community engagement, and customer experience.
Franchisees should be comfortable with people management, enthusiastic about local marketing, and capable of maintaining quality and consistency. High-traffic areas such as malls, lifestyle centers, college towns, entertainment districts, and suburban retail zones are ideal for achieving strong sales.
Financial Detail
| Category | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Range | $250,000 – $420,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital Required | $100,000+ |
| Franchise Fee | $25,000 – $35,000 |
| Royalty Fee | ~6% of Gross Sales |
| Marketing/Brand Fund Contribution | ~2% of Gross Sales |
| Store Build-Out & Infrastructure Costs | $120,000 – $250,000 |
| Equipment Package | $60,000 – $120,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing Budget | $5,000 – $12,000 |
| Training & Onboarding Costs | Included in Franchise Fee (additional travel expenses may apply) |
| Working Capital (First 3 Months) | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| Average Store Size | 800 – 1,200 sq. ft. |
| Break-Even Timeline | 12 – 24 months (varies by location) |
| Expected ROI Window | 2 – 4 years |
| Available Revenue Streams | Ice cream cups & cones, custom mix-ins, shakes, smoothies, cakes, catering, merchandise |