Ice Cream Franchise Opportunity
Bring the Shark Tank Ice Cream Sensation to Your City
Crispy Cones serves soft serve ice cream in pastry cones grilled fresh to order. Backed by Barbara Corcoran, we have 30+ stores open in 17 states and 100+ more signed, and we're looking for owners in new markets.
on Shark
Tank
Why Now
Growing Fast. Markets Are Filling Up.
Most new owners sign for two or more stores, so available markets are going quickly. If you're interested in your area, now is a good time to start the conversation.
What Is Crispy Cones?
A Whole New Kind of Ice Cream Cone
Crispy Cones is an ice cream franchise known for pastry cones, inspired by the European chimney cake, grilled fresh to order in front of guests. Each cone is coated, filled with soft serve and finished with toppings and drizzle.
Founded in Rexburg, Idaho in 2018, it became a national brand after a deal with Barbara Corcoran on Shark Tank. It's a product guests can't get anywhere else, which drives repeat visits and a lot of social sharing.
The Investment
What It Takes to Open a Crispy Cones
Here are the numbers from our 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). We'll send you the full FDD after your first conversation with our team, and it walks through every cost line by line.
The Breakdown
- Total initial investment, one store
- $373,650 to $581,900
- Franchise fee
- $35,000 for your first store, $30,000 for each additional store in a multi-store agreement
- Royalty
- 5% of gross sales
- Brand marketing fund
- 2% of gross sales
- Store size
- About 800 to 1,500 square feet
- Typical time to open
- 8 to 11 months after signing
Ranges come from Item 5, Item 6 and Item 7 of our 2026 FDD. Item 19 of the FDD includes financial performance information for franchised stores.
Why Crispy Cones
A Brand Built to Stand Out
Support
With You From Signing to Opening Day
You bring the drive. We bring the playbook, the training and a team that shows up for your opening.
- Training in Rexburg
Nine days of classroom and hands-on training at our home base for you and a manager.
- Opening support
Our team works on site with you for up to two weeks around your opening.
- Site and build-out guidance
We review and approve your location and lease and give you layout specs for your store.
- A grand opening playbook
VIP night, grand opening day and local ads for your launch.
- A success advisor
A dedicated point of contact at HQ after you open.
Our Story
From a Tent in Rexburg to a National Brand
Crispy Cones started in 2018 as a tent in Rexburg, Idaho. Founders Jeremy and Kaitlyn Carlson moved to a silver trailer, then built out the Main Street storefront that is now our flagship. Franchising began in 2022, and a Shark Tank deal with Barbara Corcoran brought the brand national attention.
Who We're Looking For
The Right Fit
You enjoy hospitality and want to be involved in your community.
You or a trained general manager will run the store full time.
You're thinking about more than one store. Most of our territories are built for two or more.
You meet our financial requirements and are ready to move in the next few months.
Partners welcome. Every investor is interviewed and approved by our team.
The Process
How You Become an Owner
Apply
Fill out the short application below. Our team reviews every one.
Get-to-Know-You Call
If it's a fit, we'll set up a call to learn about you and talk through territories.
Review the FDD
We send our Franchise Disclosure Document, which covers costs, fees and obligations in detail.
Second Interview
We walk through the FDD together and answer your questions.
Discovery Day
Visit our headquarters in Rexburg, Idaho to meet the team and see a store in action.
Sign and Build
Sign your franchise agreement, choose your site, train in Rexburg, and get ready for opening day.
Where We're Growing
Is Your Market Still Open?
Crispy Cones stores are open from Washington to Florida, and new owners sign in more cities every month. Apply to find out what's available in your area.
Quick Facts
The Crispy Cones Franchise at a Glance
- Concept
- Soft serve ice cream in pastry cones, grilled fresh to order
- Founded
- 2018 in Rexburg, Idaho, by Jeremy and Kaitlyn Carlson
- Franchising since
- 2022
- Notable
- Shark Tank deal with Barbara Corcoran
- Stores
- 30+ open in 17 states
- Total investment
- $373,650 to $581,900 (2026 FDD, Item 7)
- Franchise fee
- $35,000; $30,000 for each additional store
- Royalty and brand fund
- 5% and 2% of gross sales
- Store size
- About 800 to 1,500 square feet
- Training
- Nine days in Rexburg, plus up to two weeks of opening support
- Time to open
- Typically 8 to 11 months after signing
FAQ
Questions Future Owners Ask
What is Crispy Cones?
Crispy Cones is an ice cream franchise that serves soft serve in pastry cones grilled fresh to order. It was founded in Rexburg, Idaho in 2018, began franchising in 2022, and made a deal with Barbara Corcoran on Shark Tank. There are 30+ stores open in 17 states.
What makes Crispy Cones different from other ice cream franchises?
Each pastry cone is grilled fresh to order in front of guests, then filled with soft serve and toppings. Guests can't get it anywhere else, and the menu is simple to run.
Are markets still available?
Yes. Stores are open in 17 states and new agreements are signed every month. Apply to find out what's available in your area.
How much does a Crispy Cones franchise cost?
The total initial investment for one store is $373,650 to $581,900, including the $35,000 franchise fee, build-out, equipment and opening costs. The full breakdown is in Item 7 of our FDD.
What are the ongoing fees?
A 5% royalty and a 2% brand marketing fund, both based on gross sales. Our FDD lists every fee.
Do I need restaurant experience?
No. Our nine-day training program in Rexburg covers how to run the store, and our team supports you through opening. Hospitality or management experience is a plus.
Do I have to work in the store?
You, a principal owner, or a general manager who has completed our training must run the store full time.
How long does it take to open?
Most stores open 8 to 11 months after signing.
How many stores can I open?
It depends on the market. Most of our territories are sold with two or more stores, and each additional store has a $30,000 franchise fee.
Can I have partners or investors?
Yes. Every investor is interviewed and approved by our team.
Will I have to market my own store?
Our HQ team runs digital and social marketing with the 2% brand fund. Owners handle community marketing like local events and fundraisers, with templates and support from us.
How do I apply?
Fill out the application below. If it looks like a fit, our team will reach out to set up a call.
Claim Your Market
Check If Your Market Is Open
Our team reviews every application and will reach out if it looks like a fit.
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This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for information purposes only. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. If you are a resident of one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your state. Franchise offerings are made only by means of a Franchise Disclosure Document.