FRANCHISE RESALES

Baskin-Robbins ice cream parlour in a modern retail park building with stone accents, large windows, and a tree in the foreground—perfect for enjoying delicious puddings.

Buy a Baskin-Robbins Franchise

Baskin-Robbins is the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, founded in 1945 in Glendale, California by Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins and franchising since 1948. The brand is best known for its rotating roster of “31 flavors,” specialty ice cream cakes and frozen beverages, sold through a quick-service retail model. It is part of Inspire Brands, the multi-brand group that also owns Dunkin’, Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic and Jimmy John’s.

The business serves everyday consumers seeking an affordable treat, with revenue driven by walk-in and drive-thru traffic, family occasions and cake orders. Franchisees operate under several store formats, including free-standing drive-thru buildings, endcap and inline shops in retail centres, and a newer small-format drive-thru built for lower cost and quicker opening. Non-traditional sites such as airports, colleges and grocery stores also feature in the network.

With more than 7,800 shops across 36 global markets, Baskin-Robbins is one of the largest dessert franchises in the United States. Its scale and Inspire Brands shared services distinguish it from independent ice cream operators, giving franchisees an established product range, supply chain and marketing engine.

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Why buy a Baskin-Robbins Franchise?

A Baskin-Robbins franchise offers entry into one of the most globally recognised names in frozen desserts, a category that has proved resilient across economic cycles because the product is an affordable everyday indulgence. The brand carries decades of consumer familiarity, a broad menu of ice cream, cakes and beverages, and continual culinary innovation that keeps the offer fresh.

As part of Inspire Brands, franchisees tap into shared services across one of the largest restaurant groups in the US: collective media buying, national marketing and PR, loyalty programs, brand apps and a developed supply chain. Multiple store formats, including a low-cost small-format drive-thru, give owners flexibility in how and where they operate, and a dedicated Franchise Business Consultant supports day-to-day performance.

Baskin-Robbins Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1945

    • Franchising Since

      1948

    • New Startup Cost

      $307,400 – $626,700

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details
    A man receives an ice cream cone from an employee behind the counter at The Cakery, eager to enjoy one of the shop’s delicious puddings.

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $25,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $7,500

      $20,000 for Combo Restaurant

    • Royalty Fee

      5.90%

      of Gross Revenue

    • Marketing Fee

      5%

      of Gross Sales

    Three Baskin-Robbins ice cream tubs—Vanilla, Pralines 'N Cream, and Oreo Cookies 'N Cream—are arranged in a row against a blue background, making these classic puddings look even more irresistible.

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      967

    • New Units Opened *

      32

    • Units Transferred *

      50

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $526,669

    * Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD
    Modern dessert shop interior with blue booth seating, tan chairs, wall art, and a large refrigerated display labelled "The Cakery" filled with cakes, pastries, and tempting desserts inspired by Baskin-Robbins.

Baskin-Robbins – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Incoming Baskin-Robbins owners complete an 18-day blended program of virtual and hands-on sessions at certified training centres, with 42 hours of classroom and 80 hours of on-the-job training covering operations, the brand's online systems and product planning. Ongoing support includes a dedicated Franchise Business Consultant, national and regional advertising, co-op marketing, loyalty programs, brand apps and reporting platforms, plus Inspire Brands' supply chain. Resale buyers should confirm with Baskin-Robbins what transfer training and system access carry over to a new owner and existing staff.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The model suits hands-on, operations-led owners comfortable running a quick-service retail shop and managing an hourly team. Day-to-day success depends on staff hiring and scheduling, consistent product quality, customer service and local marketing, so people-management and retail discipline matter more than prior ice cream experience, which is not required given the structured training. Owners willing to be present in the store, build community ties and drive cake and catering orders tend to fit best; multi-unit or semi-absentee operation is possible with a reliable management layer.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Baskin-Robbins ranks among the top of Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, placed #24 in the 2026 list, and has been named #1 in the ice cream category and #16 among food franchises. Its standing is reinforced by membership of Inspire Brands, one of the largest restaurant groups in the US, and by decades of recognition as the world's largest ice cream specialty chain. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the reputation of the specific shop, including local reviews, repeat customers and community visibility.

  4. Industry / Market

    Baskin-Robbins sits in the US ice cream and frozen dessert category, valued at roughly $13 billion in 2025 and forecast to approach $18 billion by 2034. Demand is steady and broadly recession-resistant, as ice cream remains a low-cost treat families buy across economic conditions, supported by drive-thru and grab-and-go convenience, warm-season peaks and rising interest in premium and novelty flavours. For resale buyers, local factors such as foot traffic, climate, nearby competition and the strength of repeat and cake-order business shape a shop's performance more than national totals.

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