Do we go together like scoop and cone?
This isn’t just a business, it’s a lifestyle. It’s not for everyone, but there are those that absolutely love it. You might be one of them if you answer “Yes!” to the following questions.
Are you a bonafide Ben & Jerry’s fan, with more than one favorite flavor?
Are you ready to take scoop in hand, and make people’s days?
Do you share our core values, including economic and social justice, and environmental responsibility?
Are you ready to be an Ice Cream Activist?
Will you give back to your community?
Do you have the desire and patience to mentor your employees into being great staff members and citizens too?
Will you pore over your P&Ls, and carefully manage costs and inventory?
Will you go after catering accounts and other off-premise business?
Can you work nights and weekends to make your shop run smoothly during critical dayparts?
Do you demonstrate honesty, integrity and humility and are you a team player?
Do you possess strong interpersonal and communication skills and speak English fluently?
Can you use a computer and apply technology?
Do I have to do this full-time?
We understand that some folks may not be quite ready to quit their day job. While we don’t require you to be involved full time, we do expect you to be actively engaged in getting the business up and running. It will take a real investment of time to oversee the construction of a shop, build and manage a thriving staff, execute a local store marketing plan, build a catering and special events business, and activate the brand and social mission through community involvement. If you wish to grow into being a multi-unit operator, you will need to become involved in the business on a full-time basis.
How much money can I make?
The bottom line at a scoop shop can vary widely, depending upon many factors. These include the location of the store, sales volume, occupancy costs, the terms of financing, and other operating costs. Furthermore, the franchisee’s aptitude at building and managing a staff, marketing the store, and overseeing all the financial aspects of the business will have a large impact. We do not predict the sales or profitability of any new location. As the next step in our Discovery Process, we have provided you with a complete list of our franchisees and locations so that you may contact them directly to discuss their experiences as a franchisee, including, if they wish, their financial information.
Talking To Our Franchisees
We hope you enjoy your conversations with our Franchisees. There’s no better way to learn what it’s like to own a Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop than by talking with folks who do! Take this step seriously; there is a lot of information available to you by speaking with our shop owners. Have your list of questions ready to go, and make the most of your phone calls. We also ask that you visit at least one shop in person to better get a feel for the experience and report back on how your visit with the owner went. Talking to our franchisees is truly an important phase in determining if Ben & Jerry’s is the right match for you and your lifestyle.
We can’t wait to see you in Vermont
Our next phone conversation will review what you’ve learned from our franchisees and also touch on the daily operations of a scoop shop. After that we hope to invite you to Discovery Day at our company headquarters in Burlington, Vermont. Discovery Day is your chance to meet us face to face, experience our unique company culture, and get even more of a feeling for what we’re all about. At the same time, some of our key staff will have the opportunity to get to know you, as we complete the process of determining if the mutual fit is right.
We will give you more details on travel and lodging after we have our final call. And remember, Vermont is beautiful all year ‘round!