Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Dippin’ Dots Franchise

Dippin’ Dots is a flash-frozen “beaded” ice cream brand, founded in 1988 by Curt Jones, who used cryogenic freezing to create tiny beads of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and non-dairy treats. The product line spans roughly 30 flavors, from Cookies ‘n Cream to Rainbow Ice, and the company began franchising in 1999.

Most franchise locations are co-branded with sister brand Doc Popcorn, pairing the beaded ice cream with fresh-popped flavored popcorn under one roof. Units operate as kiosks, carts and in-line stores in high-traffic settings such as malls, outlet centers, stadiums, amusement parks, entertainment venues, transportation hubs, and fairs and festivals. It is a low-footprint, impulse-driven dessert and snack model.

The network spans a few hundred US locations alongside international sites. Since 2022, Dippin’ Dots and Doc Popcorn have been owned by J&J Snack Foods Corp., a NASDAQ-listed snack and beverage manufacturer, with production and franchise support based in Paducah, Kentucky.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Dippin’ Dots resales available
Register your interest

Why buy a Dippin’ Dots Franchise?

Buying a Dippin’ Dots franchise gives an owner an established, widely recognized consumer brand in a dessert category that has proved resilient across economic cycles. Brand awareness is strong: many of today’s customers grew up eating Dippin’ Dots, which can shorten the path to local trade.

The co-brand format with Doc Popcorn is central to the ownership case. Pairing flash-frozen ice cream with fresh-popped popcorn spreads sales across more dayparts and seasons, with ice cream skewing to warmer months and popcorn to fall and winter, and it widens appeal across a family group. The low-footprint kiosk, cart and in-line model keeps space and staffing needs modest compared with a full-service restaurant, and the brand’s relationships with major mall and lifestyle-center landlords help secure high-traffic placements.

Dippin’ Dots Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1988

    • Franchising Since

      2000

    • New Startup Cost

      $138,949 – $398,650

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $35,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $15,000

      or 10% sale price, whichever is lesser; reduced for minority/intra-franchisee

    • Royalty Fee

      6%

      of Gross Revenue

    • Marketing Fee

      2%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      260

    • New Units Opened *

      28

    • Units Transferred *

      14

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      Not Disclosed

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

Dippin’ Dots – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Incoming owners complete structured training built around 32 hours of classroom instruction and 30 hours of on-the-job training, including three days at the Paducah, Kentucky home office with corporate trainers. Running units are backed by assigned Region Managers (RMs) plus dedicated marketing and operations teams, with marketing delivered through the brand's My Dot Space and My Pop Space portals and an annual franchisee meeting. Buyers of an existing Dippin' Dots unit should confirm what transfer training and portal access the franchisor provides to incoming owners and staff when ownership changes.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The model suits hands-on owner-operators who are comfortable running a fast-paced, high-traffic retail or venue location and managing a team of hourly staff. Previous business experience is a plus, but a food or retail background is not required, since the franchisor provides a defined system and training. Strong candidates are willing to follow that system, focus on customer service in a family-oriented setting, and actively manage staffing, inventory and the seasonal swings of an impulse dessert and snack business.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Dippin' Dots is one of the most recognized names in frozen desserts, built over more than 35 years and familiar to multiple generations of US consumers. The franchise has been listed in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and profiled across franchise directories including Franchise Direct and IFPG, and since 2022 it has had the backing of J&J Snack Foods Corp., a NASDAQ-listed snack manufacturer. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the reputation of the specific location, including local reviews, venue visibility and repeat-customer demand.

  4. Industry / Market

    Dippin' Dots operates in the US frozen desserts market, valued at roughly $21.7 billion in 2025 and forecast to keep growing over the coming years. Demand is driven by impulse and experiential retail in high-traffic venues such as malls, stadiums, amusement parks and festivals, supported by steady family and novelty-treat spending. The co-brand popcorn line adds exposure to the broader salty-snack category and helps offset the seasonality typical of ice cream. For resale buyers, local foot traffic and the strength of the specific venue matter as much as national category trends.

Learn more about
how to own a Dippin’ Dots franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.