Baskin-Robbins Or Baskin 31 Robbins

Baskin Robbins is the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, with more than 7,800 locations across approximately 50 countries and an operating history that began in 1945. Brothers in law Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins founded the brand in California through separate ventures. Irv opened Snowbird Ice Cream in Glendale in 1945 with 21 flavors, while Burt opened Burton’s Ice Cream Shop in Pasadena in 1946. They had six stores by 1948 and more than 40 by 1949. In 1953, they combined the businesses under the Baskin Robbins 31 Ice Cream name, reflecting the promise of a different flavor for every day of the month. Since then, the brand has introduced more than 1,400 flavors. Today, Baskin Robbins is fully franchised under Inspire Brands, which also owns Dunkin’, Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic Drive In, and Jimmy John’s. Inspire Brands is headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts, and provides shared services, purchasing, marketing, and technology resources.

The ice cream and frozen dessert category has substantial domestic and global demand. U.S. ice cream makers produced 1.31 billion gallons in 2024, and the industry contributed an estimated $11.6 billion to the U.S. economy. The global ice cream market is projected to reach $147.74 billion by 2030. The global ice cream parlor segment is estimated at $12.8 billion by the end of 2025 and is forecast to grow at a 6.7% compound annual growth rate. Another analysis values the global ice cream shop franchises market at $12.1 billion in 2025 and projects a 5.2% compound annual growth rate through 2034, when it is expected to reach $19.1 billion. Demand is supported by premium products, delivery, customization, build your own sundaes, and consumption beyond the traditional summer season. The major players, including Baskin Robbins, account for 65% of the ice cream parlor market.

The initial Baskin Robbins franchise fee is $25,000. Multi unit development agreements carry a development fee equal to 25% of that amount. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document reports total initial investment of $307,400 to $622,600 for a new location, with some configurations reaching $657,860 based on real estate development costs. Real estate development accounts for $123,000 to $267,000, equipment, fixtures, and signs for $115,000 to $185,000, and restaurant technology systems for $15,000 to $29,500. Licenses, permits, and deposits cost $7,000 to $20,000, opening inventory costs $5,000 to $8,000, insurance costs $3,500 to $8,300, the marketing startup fee is $3,000 to $6,000, uniforms cost $400 to $800, and training travel and living expenses range from $1,000 to $15,000. New franchisees receive a royalty schedule of 0% in Year One, 1.9% in Year Two, 2.9% in Year Three, 3.9% in Year Four, 4.9% in Year Five, and the standard 5.9% in Year Six. Applicants must show $100,000 in liquid capital and a $200,000 net worth. Inspire Brands’ corporate backing and the brand’s 80 year history can support consideration in SBA loan analysis.

Baskin Robbins operations focus on product knowledge, customer service, and preparing scooped ice cream, sundaes, ice cream cakes, and beverages. The model does not require chefs or complex cooking procedures, which can broaden the labor pool and shorten training requirements. New franchisees complete 85 to 90 hours of classroom instruction and 35 to 40 hours of hands on restaurant training during a 10 day program. Training costs $1,500 per attendee and includes 25 to 30 hours of dessert operations fundamentals, 40 hours of franchisee business fundamentals, and 20 hours of general restaurant operations. Franchise Business Consultants provide site visits, performance analysis, and coaching in operations, labor costs, guest experience, and revenue. Advisory councils operate at district, regional, and brand levels. Other support includes real estate, construction, marketing, public relations, media buying, loyalty programs, local marketing, culinary development, digital tools, supply chain management, and reporting systems. Locations may use traditional free standing formats or nontraditional sites such as airports, casinos, and co branded Dunkin’ locations. Franchisees do not receive an exclusive protected territory.

The $300 annual Center Subscription Fee and additional training costs of $2,950 per person are further obligations.

The system had 1,001 franchised units in 2023, 978 in 2024, and 976 total franchised units as of 2025, with no company owned locations. Globally, the brand has more than 7,800 locations in approximately 50 countries. U.S. locations are estimated at approximately 2,400 to 2,600, depending on the source and measurement date. In August 2022, Baskin Robbins signed its largest franchise development agreement in 51 years with McMaster Group Holdings. The agreement covers 25 new shops in Vancouver and Calgary and is intended to increase the Canadian portfolio from 107 locations to more than 125 across Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Manitoba. The new Canadian stores use the Moments concept, with dipping cabinets, flexible seating, and updated digital menu boards. This followed a 2022 rebranding that introduced a new logo, color palette, and identity system. The Seize the Yay platform guides marketing. Vegan and non dairy products were introduced in 2019, while seasonal and limited edition flavors support repeat visits. Inspire Brands also provides shared loyalty, demand generation, and personalization technology.

A suitable franchisee brings customer service skills, community involvement, and basic business management ability rather than culinary expertise. The operating model can suit first time franchisees, and franchisee testimonials cite limited industry barriers for minority business owners and people from nontraditional backgrounds. Owners are expected to devote continuous best efforts to developing, managing, and operating the business according to franchisor standards, although experienced food service managers may run daily operations for semi absentee owners. The brand encourages multi unit ownership and offers a development fee structure for operators committing to multiple locations. Opportunities include U.S. markets and international areas, with Canada the most actively recruited international market in the current development cycle. Inspire Brands supports site selection and construction, including the $123,000 to $267,000 real estate development range. Airport, casino, and Dunkin’ co branded formats may provide alternatives where traditional retail corridors are saturated. Seasonal revenue changes make the $100,000 liquid capital requirement relevant for maintaining operations during slower periods.

The Baskin Robbins investment case combines an 80 year brand history, more than 1,400 flavor innovations, a relatively simple operating model, Inspire Brands support, and a growing ice cream market. Those figures should be assessed against the $307,400 to $622,600 initial investment range and the five year royalty schedule. Investors also need to account for the 10.9% combined royalty and advertising obligation, the lack of exclusive territory protection, and seasonal revenue variation. PeerSense provides franchise research that includes SBA lending history, Loan Activity Score, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and comparison tools for reviewing Baskin Robbins against ice cream, dessert, and broader quick service concepts. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm that introduces franchise buyers to SBA and conventional lenders and does not lend or approve loans. Its Baskin Robbins franchise profile provides additional independent information for evaluating the opportunity.