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:	400	97.6%
Company-Owned Units:	10	2.4%
Total Operating Units:	410	100.0%
Geographic Distribution: U.S.: 290 70.7% In 31 States Canada: 9 2.2% In 2 Canadian Provinces International: 111 27.1% In 0 Foreign Countries   Total: 410 100.0%

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

Density	Units
1. New York	18
2. Florida	14
3. California	46

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:	$200K
Cash Investment:	$86K+
Total Investment:	$123.5-286K
Average Total Investment:	$250K
Fees:
Initial Franchise Fee:	$30K
Average Franchise Fee:	$30K
On-Going Royalty:	1.5%
Average Royalty:	2%
Advertising Fee:	4%

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

Space Needs (in square footage): 1,200 Avg.

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

Other Sites: Kiosk

Encourage Conversions? Yes

Earnings Claims Provided?: Yes

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 1 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:	20
Site Selection Assistance?	Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance?	No
Financial Assistance?	No
Marketing Support:
Co-Op Advertising:	No
National Advertising:	No
Regional Advertising:	No
Local Advertising:	No
Marketing Materials:	None Specified
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	10 Days
Expansion Plans
Projected New Units Over Next 12 months:	75
U.S.:	Yes, Various Markets
Canada:	No
Overseas:	Yes, Call International Division