Now available
Own a Big Licks
We take great pride in watching people achieve the American Dream — owning their very own business. Proven concept, proven leaders, and you.
36 states registered800–2,400 sq ft6–12 months to open
Your success is our success
Big Licks Franchise, Inc. is a privately held corporation dedicated to the franchising, development and marketing of Big Licks quick-service ice cream restaurants. Whether you’re a seasoned restaurant professional, a novice, or somewhere in between, there’s an opportunity here worth exploring.
We support our franchisees with real estate guidance, ongoing operational support, purchasing and marketing programs designed to optimize profitability. What we look for in return is an uncompromising commitment to guest hospitality, food quality and hard work.
What it costs
- Development fee
- $10,000per location in a territory
- License fee
- $25,000first location in a territory
- Royalty
- 6%of gross sales, monthly
- Production & Development
- 2%of gross sales, monthly
Total initial investment
$109,450 – $473,700
Per restaurant, depending on whether you develop a Big Licks “Express” parlor or the more traditional shop, and whether you buy or rent. Excludes real estate and license costs. Location must be approved by Big Licks corporate.
What we look for
- Ability to develop 3–5 restaurants within your territory.
- A location with at least 15,000–30,000 people — residential or daytime business — within a four-mile radius.
- US$200,000 in net worth, not including primary residence, personal automobile and personal property.
- US$50,000 in liquid assets.
- Prior restaurant owner or operator preferred — but we'll train the right person.
How it works
It begins with a phone call and ends with you scooping ice cream. Twelve steps in between.
Get in touch
It starts with a phone call: tell us you're interested and where you'd like to open.
Submit your application
Complete the franchise application and provide third-party documentation — bank statements and verification of what you have told us. This step is required to move forward.
Initial interview
Secure Big Licks approval for an initial interview.
Request the FDD
Complete the Request for Franchise Disclosure Document form and return it to us.
Review the FDD
Read the Franchise Disclosure Document properly, and note everything you want clarified.
Do your due diligence
Investigate this the way you would any other investment opportunity. We'd think less of you if you didn't.
Discovery Day
Come to the flagship shop in Old Orchard Beach. We go through your application and financial qualifications, you see the operation, and afterwards we tell you our franchise award decision.
Agree your territory
Negotiate the territory you want and sign an area Development Agreement and a Franchise Agreement.
Approve the site
We provide guidelines for analyzing the location and conduct a site visit before approving it.
Build the shop
Construction begins once we approve final plans. You work from our list of preferred providers, and in some cases choose your own fixtures, finishes and contractors.
Management training
Initial management training runs at our flagship shop and at your own site.
Open
Start manufacturing and scooping ice cream, making desserts, and meeting your community.
Where we can offer franchises
Registered now — 36 states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Under consideration — 14 states
- California
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New York
- North Dakota
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Structured for efficiency
Every professional service needed to open a franchise sits in our Scarborough office and our Old Orchard Beach flagship — real estate, training, grand opening, marketing and accounting all run from those two places.
Real Estate & Architecture
You're ultimately responsible for site selection and lease negotiation, but our real estate service approves site options and reviews leases. Typical site layouts, standard equipment layouts and equipment cut sheets streamline construction planning.
Pre-Opening, Construction & Training
An assigned pre-opening coordinator takes you through permitting and construction scheduling. Experienced construction teams and bulk equipment packages open stores faster and cheaper than going outside the system.
Operations, Marketing & Purchasing
Ownership is at the heart of franchisee support and stays directly available — giving operational guidance, and giving suggestions for improving the brand.
Accounting & Legal
Our in-house accounting department handles sales reporting, store audits, compliance and collections. Outside counsel manages FDD registrations, franchise agreements, trademarks and lease renewals.
Financing
An SBA 7(a) loan is partially guaranteed by the government and well suited to new franchisees — these typically fall between $250,000 and $500,000. Rates fluctuate, and you repay in full.
Frequently asked
Think you meetthe criteria?
Get in touch and we’ll start the conversation.
Corporate office, Scarborough, Maine
Legal disclaimer. This website and the information contained herein does not constitute the offer or sale of a franchise. The offer and sale of a franchise can only be made through the delivery and receipt of our Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Certain states require the registration of an FDD before the franchisor can advertise or offer the franchise in that state. We may not be registered in all those registration states and may not offer franchises to residents of those states, or to persons wishing to locate a franchise in those states. If you are a resident of a state we are not currently registered in, or desire a franchise in such a state, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with the applicable presale registration and disclosure requirements in your state.