The vendor opportunity at Crispy Cones
Crispy Cones operates 21 quick-service restaurant locations in the US, with 18 franchised and 3 company-owned units. The brand does not disclose average unit volume (AUV) in its 2026 FDD. For software vendors, the immediate addressable market is small—just 21 locations—but the concentration of decision-making at headquarters simplifies the sales process. The franchise is independently owned, with no parent company on file, meaning the executive team listed in the FDD is the ultimate authority on technology purchases.
Year-over-year unit growth is not reported, and the operator footprint consists of four mapped single-unit operators across approximately four located units. No multi-unit operators are recorded. The top state for locations is Idaho, with four units identified. This footprint suggests a localized, tightly managed operation where a single software deployment could cover the entire system.
Who controls software purchasing
The 2026 FDD lists five key executives in Item 1. Jeremy Carlson serves as CEO and President, making him the likely final decision-maker for enterprise software investments. DJ Sims, Vice President of Finance, is the probable budget gatekeeper and would evaluate ROI and cost implications. Mackinley Quast, Vice President of Growth and Revenue, may champion tools that drive sales or streamline operations. Vanessa Perez (Director of Franchise Support) and Fionna Pedersen (Director of Training) could influence platforms that affect franchisee onboarding, compliance, or daily operations.
Because the franchise system is small and HQ-centric, vendors should expect a direct, relationship-driven sales cycle. There are no regional layers or multi-unit franchisees with independent purchasing power to navigate.
Mandated and current tech stack
Crispy Cones does not mandate or recommend any specific technology systems in its 2026 FDD. Item 11, which typically discloses required POS, back-office, or IT systems, contains no entries. This means franchisees are not contractually obligated to use a particular POS, inventory management, or scheduling platform. For vendors, this represents a greenfield opportunity—but also a fragmented environment where each location may use different tools.
Without a mandated stack, the current technology landscape is unknown. Vendors should approach discovery calls prepared to assess what each unit uses independently. The lack of standardization could be a pain point that a unified platform pitch could address.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
Item 8 of the FDD, which typically outlines procurement restrictions and designated suppliers, contains no extract. This suggests an open procurement environment with no centralized purchasing mandates. Franchisees may source their own supplies and, by extension, software, unless HQ later imposes requirements.
Item 17 provides renewal terms: franchisees must give 180 days' notice, have sufficient lease term remaining, not be in default, remodel the premises to current standards, sign the then-current franchise agreement (which may differ materially), pay a $3,500 non-refundable renewal fee, and execute a general release. The initial term is 10 years. These renewal windows—every decade, with a six-month lead time—could be natural moments for system-wide technology upgrades or re-evaluations. Vendors should monitor when the first cohort of franchise agreements comes up for renewal.
How to read the Crispy Cones FDD
The full 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document is embedded below. Key sections for software vendors include Item 1 (executives), Item 8 (procurement), Item 11 (technology mandates), and Item 17 (renewal and contract terms). The document is filed with state franchise regulators and provides the most authoritative public view into the franchise's operations and obligations. Review it to validate the decision-maker names, unit counts, and any updates to technology requirements that may not be summarized here.
For a ranked target list of franchise systems matched to your software category, FranCloud can help you prioritize outreach based on real FDD data.