Established
2008
Franchise Units
200
Minimum Investment
$300,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$550,000
Home Based
No
Description
Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery is a premium dessert franchise that perfectly blends two high-demand categories—gourmet cupcakes and small-batch ice cream—under one irresistible brand. Known for its handcrafted cupcakes baked fresh daily and rich, house-made ice cream, the concept delivers indulgence, nostalgia, and celebration in every visit.
The dual-product model creates year-round traffic and multiple purchase occasions, from birthdays and holidays to everyday treats. With eye-catching stores, rotating flavors, and strong social-media appeal, Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery has become a go-to destination for families, young professionals, and dessert lovers across the United States. For investors, it represents a scalable, system-driven franchise in the booming specialty dessert market.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
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Dual revenue streams: cupcakes and ice cream in one store
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Strong brand recognition with nationwide presence
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Simple, focused menu that supports operational efficiency
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High-margin dessert products with repeat-purchase behavior
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All-ages appeal and strong event-driven sales
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Proven franchise systems with multi-unit growth potential
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Lower operational complexity than full-service restaurants
Background
Established Year: 2008
Founders: Jeff and Melissa Martin
Industry Category: Bakery & Frozen Desserts
Ownership: U.S.-based franchised dessert brand
Smallcakes began as a single neighborhood cupcake shop with a passion for quality, creativity, and community connection. The brand gained national attention through television exposure and quickly evolved into a franchise powerhouse. The addition of the Creamery concept expanded the menu, extended seasonal relevance, and increased average ticket value.
Today, Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery operates 200+ franchise units across the United States, with locations in high-traffic retail centers, lifestyle plazas, and suburban communities. The brand’s steady expansion reflects its strong unit economics, loyal customer base, and franchisee satisfaction.
Support Training
Franchisees receive end-to-end support designed to reduce risk and accelerate ramp-up.
Pre-Launch Support
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Territory evaluation and site selection guidance
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Store design, layout, and build-out standards
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Equipment specifications and supplier coordination
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Opening timeline and compliance assistance
Training & Operations
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Hands-on bakery and creamery production training
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Product preparation, quality standards, and consistency controls
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Inventory management, food safety, and labor optimization
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POS systems and daily operations playbooks
Marketing & Brand Support
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National branding assets and seasonal campaigns
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Grand opening marketing strategy and execution support
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Social media, local promotions, and community engagement tools
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Ongoing menu innovation and limited-time offers
Ongoing Franchise Support
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Dedicated franchise business coaches
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Performance tracking and benchmarking
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Continuous training updates and system improvements
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Franchisee network collaboration and best-practice sharing
Ideal Candidate
Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery is ideal for hands-on owner-operators or semi-absentee investors who enjoy hospitality, team leadership, and community-driven businesses.
Best-Suited Franchisees:
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Entrepreneurs with retail, food service, or people-management experience
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Investors seeking a consumer-facing brand with strong emotional appeal
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Operators comfortable following proven systems and brand standards
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Individuals passionate about customer experience and local marketing
Preferred Locations:
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Suburban retail centers and lifestyle developments
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Family-oriented neighborhoods
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College towns and urban mixed-use districts
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High-footfall strip centers with dessert demand
Financial Detail
| Financial Component | Estimated Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 |
| Total Initial Investment | $300,000 – $550,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital Required | $100,000 – $150,000 |
| Build-Out & Leasehold Improvements | $150,000 – $280,000 |
| Equipment, Fixtures & Signage | $70,000 – $130,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $12,000 – $22,000 |
| Marketing & Grand Opening Budget | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| Working Capital (3–6 months) | $30,000 – $60,000 |
| Ongoing Royalty Fee | ~6% of Gross Sales |
| National Marketing Fee | ~2% of Gross Sales |
| Estimated Break-Even Period | 18 – 36 Months |
| Expected ROI Timeline | 2.5 – 4 Years |
| Primary Revenue Streams | Cupcakes, Ice Cream, Custom Orders, Catering, Seasonal Promotions |
