Dippin’ Dots decent
Dippin’ Dots has a good reputation as a franchise, this link is one example. I have been unable to find a single unhappy franchisee, though I’m sure at least a few exist.
Some of you have heard this story before. Microbiologist Curt Jones, using a scientific background in cryogenics as his guide, invented his beaded ice cream product and founded Dippin’ Dots in March 1988.
Here are some pictures so you can get a better feel of the franchise:
Dippin’ Dots now has 55,000 square feet of production facility in the U.S. and 20,000 square feet in South Korea. Dippin’ Dots are sold in 250 retail locations and thousands of entertainment venues and special events nationwide. The company’s Global division oversees licensees in nine countries. The flavored ice Dippin’ Dots are Kosher to 
.
Qualifications to buy a franchise
Net worth requirement is $250,000, liquidity requirement is $75,000. The initial franchise fee is a low $12,500 and royalty is only 4%. What’s the catch, you say? Well the ice cream (dippin’ dots) must be purchased from the franchisor, of course. But the franchisees seem happy, 95% own more than one franchise and few are for sale (I’m going to call the company and get the exact number for sale).
Via Dippin’ Dots corporate web site, the estimated initial investment ranges from $69,539 to $214,750 (kiosk or built-in store)
Would I buy a franchise?
The biggest threat I see is the increasing alternative sales channels creeping on my territory. For example, Dippin’ Dots will soon be served in McDonald’s restaurants. Dippin’ Dots vending machines are popping up, including in suburban malls where most Dippin’ Dots kiosks are located. Offices, catering parties, and school and charity fundraisers can order their Dippin’ Dots directly from the corporate web site, bypassing franchisees.
Still, the market is young and the novelty of the dots are unlikely to wear off. The product is well protected by at least 11 patents, and has few disgruntled franchisees and few franchises available for resale. I still want to speak to a few franchisees but I’m leaning toward buying this franchise.
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I love Dippin’ Dots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I have never tasted the dots but they look good. I’m going to try them next time I see them.
the Franchise Pundit
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Why do you say you’ll still buy it with the weakness you mentioned? You said they terriroties aren’t protected very well if at all, isn’t that a sign the franchise is not a buy?
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I agree with the #3 comment. If they start adding vending machines and allow Mcee Dees to sell em then where’s the value of getting
Dippin Dot cart?? Mcee Dees would smoke em and then you will have plenty of disgruntled franchisees. That a company would even think about
selling their prod behind the franchisees back is a serious Red Flag. Its all about the almighty dollar.
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I LOVE DIPPIN’ DOTS! - My cousin and I ALWAYS buy them EVERY chance we get…even if it means 10 in one day.
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where can i buy beaded ice cream wholesale with out buying the franchise it doesn’t necessarily have to be dip n dots brand
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I also agree with comment #3. I really do not think that the people that pay all that franchise money to run their business will be not happy and will probably let the franchise go while McDonalds will be offering the products in the restaurants. To me - there is no reason to charge the franchise if it is going to be in restaurants and it does take away from the popular kiosks. That is all part of the hype of dippin dots. You want to go to the kiosk or dippin dots store for the dots - not a big mac. DO NOT PUT THE DOTS IN MCDONALDS!!!!!!!
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