Established
1950
Franchise Units
4
Minimum Investment
$150,000
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Total Investment Range
$300,000
Home Based
No
Description
Stickhouse is a modern frozen dessert franchise built around handcrafted, premium popsicles made with real fruit, natural ingredients, and bold flavor combinations. Designed for today’s health-conscious and experience-driven consumer, the brand blends nostalgia with a clean-label, gourmet positioning that stands out in the competitive dessert market.
The concept focuses on visually appealing, high-quality popsicles served through a compact and efficient retail model. Stickhouse locations are ideal for high-footfall areas such as lifestyle centers, shopping malls, tourist destinations, and urban streets. The simple menu structure and small footprint allow franchisees to operate with lower overhead while maximizing impulse-driven sales.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
• Operates in the high-growth frozen dessert and specialty food segment
• Simple operations with limited SKUs and minimal food waste
• Compact store size reduces rent, build-out cost, and staffing needs
• Premium brand positioning with strong visual and experiential appeal
• Scalable concept suitable for multi-unit and non-traditional locations
• Strong unit economics driven by impulse purchases and repeat visits
Background
Established Year: 1950
Industry Category: Frozen Desserts / Specialty Food Franchise
Stickhouse was founded with the goal of transforming the traditional popsicle into a premium, handcrafted dessert experience. From its early beginnings, the brand emphasized quality ingredients, creative flavors, and a contemporary store design that appealed to families, young professionals, and tourists alike.
As consumer interest in artisan desserts and clean ingredients increased, Stickhouse expanded through franchising, allowing local entrepreneurs to bring the concept to new U.S. markets. The brand continues to grow by refining its menu, store formats, and franchise support systems.
Franchise Active Units: 4
Market Presence:
• High-traffic retail locations
• Lifestyle centers and malls
• Tourist-driven and seasonal markets
• Urban and mixed-use developments
Support Training
Stickhouse provides comprehensive support throughout the franchise lifecycle to help franchisees launch and scale successfully.
Pre-Launch Support
• Assistance with site selection and lease evaluation
• Store design, layout, and branding guidelines
• Equipment specifications and supplier coordination
• Pre-opening planning and launch timeline
Training & Operations
• Initial training covering operations, food handling, and quality standards
• Standard operating procedures for daily management
• Inventory control and POS system training
• Staffing and labor efficiency guidance
Marketing Support
• Brand guidelines and promotional assets
• Grand opening marketing strategy
• Local store marketing plans
• Ongoing brand-level campaigns and promotions
Ongoing Support
• Dedicated franchise support team
• Operational reviews and performance benchmarking
• New product launches and seasonal menu updates
• Continued training and operational guidance
Ideal Candidate
The Stickhouse franchise is ideal for entrepreneurs seeking a straightforward, customer-focused food business.
Ideal Candidates
• Owner-operators looking for a manageable retail concept
• Multi-unit investors seeking a scalable dessert brand
• Hospitality, retail, or food service professionals
• Investors with strong local market knowledge
Key Qualities
• Passion for customer experience and product quality
• Ability to manage staff and daily operations
• Willingness to engage in local marketing and community outreach
• Financial readiness to invest and grow
Preferred Locations
• High-footfall retail areas
• Shopping malls and lifestyle centers
• Tourist destinations and downtown districts
Financial Detail
| Financial Component | Estimated Cost / Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $25,000 – $35,000 |
| Total Initial Investment | $150,000 – $300,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital Required | $75,000 – $100,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements & Build-Out | $50,000 – $120,000 |
| Equipment & Freezer Systems | $30,000 – $60,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Signage | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| Technology & POS Systems | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Training & Pre-Opening Expenses | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Working Capital (3–6 Months) | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| Ongoing Royalty Fee | 5% – 7% of Gross Sales |
| Brand / Marketing Fund Contribution | 1% – 3% of Gross Sales |
| Estimated Break-Even Period | 12 – 18 Months |
| Expected ROI Timeline | 18 – 30 Months |
