How much does a "Bruster's Real Ice Cream" and "Bruster's" franchise cost?

The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $414,900–$2,669,060, including a $40,000 initial franchise fee.

Is a "Bruster's Real Ice Cream" and "Bruster's" franchise worth it?

It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. "Bruster's Real Ice Cream" and "Bruster's" scores F on disclosure honesty, carries about 8% of sales in ongoing fees, and discloses 1 legal matters. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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The real numbers on owning a "Bruster's Real Ice Cream" and "Bruster's" franchise

Bruster's Real Ice Cream · FDD 2021 · from public state filings

FDisclosure honesty

This franchisor discloses little to no earnings data (Item 19).

★☆☆☆☆ FranchiseValidate transparency rating: 1/5

Investment

$414,900–$2,669,060

Total fees

8% of sales

Outlets

220

Closure signals

0 ceased, 0 terminated

Lawsuits

Is "Bruster's Real Ice Cream" and "Bruster's" worth it? How it compares to 32 similar franchises

Ongoing fees	8% of sales	about average
Startup cost	from $414,900	pricier than 76% of peers
Disclosure honesty	Grade F	less honest than most of the category
Closure rate	0.0% of outlets	better than most (median 1.9%)
Disclosed lawsuits	1	fewer than most

Benchmarked against every bakery, dessert & ice cream franchise we've graded from public FDDs — the context the franchisor's pitch never gives you.

What their own earnings claim actually says

Item 19 not provided in excerpts. Franchisor directs prospective franchisees to contact current/former franchisees listed in Item 20.

Honesty grade F: the disclosed numbers are incomplete or framed to look better than an owner's real take-home.

Failure & turnover reality (Item 20)

220 total outlets as of 2025; 17 transfers 2023-2025; no recent terminations or closures disclosed.

Legal history (Item 3)

1 matters disclosed.

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The franchisor won't put real owner profit in writing. We do — reconstructed from their own FDD.

Franchisor's framing: Item 19 not provided in excerpts. Franchisor directs prospective franchisees to contact current…

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Reconstructed owner P&L — net take-home after royalty, ad fund, rent, labor & debt
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Decoded real failure / closure rate
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"Bruster's Real Ice Cream" and "Bruster's" franchise — frequently asked

How much does a "Bruster's Real Ice Cream" and "Bruster's" franchise cost?: The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $414,900–$2,669,060, including a $40,000 initial franchise fee.
How much do "Bruster's Real Ice Cream" and "Bruster's" franchise owners make?: "Bruster's Real Ice Cream" and "Bruster's" discloses little or no earnings data (Item 19) — meaning the franchisor won't put real owner profit in writing. That's a red flag worth questioning.
What is the "Bruster's Real Ice Cream" and "Bruster's" franchise failure rate?: 220 total outlets as of 2025; 17 transfers 2023-2025; no recent terminations or closures disclosed.
Is a "Bruster's Real Ice Cream" and "Bruster's" franchise worth it?: It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. "Bruster's Real Ice Cream" and "Bruster's" scores F on disclosure honesty, carries about 8% of sales in ongoing fees, and discloses 1 legal matters. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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Compare "Bruster's Real Ice Cream" and "Bruster's" to similar franchises

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Source: WI DFI Franchise Registration (2021). FranchiseValidate is independent and not affiliated with "Bruster's Real Ice Cream" and "Bruster's" or its franchisor. Figures are extracted from the franchisor's own public disclosure document; verify against the current FDD before any decision.