Business Description

BEN & JERRY'S was started in 1978 in a renovated gas station in Burlington, VT, by childhood friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. They soon became popular for their funky, chunky flavors, made from fresh Vermont milk and cream. The scoop shops feature a fun environment with a varied menu including cakes, gifts, baked goods and coffee drinks created from ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet flavors. Community involvement is an important element in being a successful BEN & JERRY'S franchisee.

Franchisor Background

Year Established:  1978

Franchising Since:  1981

Operating Units:
Franchised Units:	800	99.5%
Company-Owned Units:	4	0.5%
Total Operating Units:	804	100.0%
Minority Representation Units Owned by Minorities: African-American: 3 Asian-American: 6 Hispanic: 0 Native American: 0 Other: 0 Specific Minority   Program(s) in place: Although we strongly support the objectives of the NMFI, we do not yet have any specific programs in place at this time.
Geographic Distribution: U.S.: 584 72.6% In 39 States Canada: 20 2.5% In 5 Canadian Provinces International: 200 24.9% In 19 Foreign Countries   Total: 804 100.0%

North America:
States/Provinces with the largest number of operating units:

Density	Units
1. California	50
2. Florida	26
3. New York	22

Registered in Following Registration States: California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington

Financial Requirements

Investment:
Minimum Net Worth:	$350K
Cash Investment:	$80-120K
Total Investment:	$143.4-446.1K
Average Total Investment:	$295K
Fees:
Initial Franchise Fee:	$32K
Average Franchise Fee:	$32K
On-Going Royalty:	3%
Average Royalty:	3%
Advertising Fee:	4%

Average Number of Employees: 2 Full-time, 10 Part-time

Space Needs (in square footage): 1,000

Preferred Sites: Free-standing Building, Storefront, Strip Center, Regional Mall

Other Sites: Kiosk, Interior Malls, Lifestyle Centers, Entertai

Encourage Conversions? Yes

Earnings Claims Provided?: No

Franchisee Qualifications
Ranked from 1 (unimportant) to 5 (important):
Financial Net Worth:	5
General Business Experience:	4
Specific Industry Experience:	5
Formal Education:	3
Psychological Profile:	4
Personal Interview(s):	5
Terms of Contract
Term of Initial Contract:	10 Year(s)
Term of Renewal Period:	10 Year(s)
Passive Ownership:	Not Allowed
Area Development Agreements?	Yes, for 0 Year(s)
Sub-Franchising Contracts?	No
Franchisees Allowed to Expand Within Territory?	No
Support and Training
International Franchise Association:	Yes
Canadian Franchise Association:	No
Franchisee Association/Member:	Yes, Member
Size of Corporate Staff:	30
Site Selection Assistance?	Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance?	Yes
Financial Assistance?	Yes, Indirect
Marketing Support:
Co-Op Advertising:	No
National Advertising:	Yes
Regional Advertising:	Yes
Local Advertising:	Yes
Marketing Materials:	Ad Slicks, Brochures, Catalogs, Coupons/rebates, Direct Mailers, Emails, Promotional Items, Radio Ads, Site Signs, Television Ads, Trade Show Exhibits, Videos
Additional Services:	None Specified
Other Marketing Support:	None Specified
On-Going Support:
Central Data Processing:	Not Applicable
Central Purchasing:	Not Applicable
Field Operation Evaluation:	Included in Fees
Field Training:	Included in Fees
Initial Store Opening:	Included in Fees
Inventory Control:	Included in Fees
Franchisee Newsletter:	Included in Fees
Regional or National Meetings:	Included in Fees
800 Telephone Hotline:	Included in Fees
Training:
1. VT	8 Days
Expansion Plans
Projected New Units Over Next 12 months: 45 U.S.: Yes, Various Markets Canada: No Overseas: Yes, Call International Division	Request Franchisor Info   Submit an online form to receive information from Ben & Jerry's.