FacebookMeta
al Media You must comply with our standards and procedures (which we may issue periodically in the Manual or otherwise in writing) as to your use of: blogs, social networks (like “Facebook” and “Insta
From the filings
HQ-led decisions
Special Venue Scoop Shop Program - Franchise Renewals
Retail foodSpecial Venue Scoop Shop Program - Franchise Renewals runs 17 franchised and 2 company-owned Ben & Jerry's scoop shop locations under Unilever. Its 2025 FDD names Facebook, Fishbowl, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Worldpay, none of them required. At a $635,597 average unit volume and 3% royalty, this is a small, franchisor-controlled base worth mapping before you call HQ.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Total units
17
17 franchised
Unit growth YoY
-22.727%
vs prior filing
AUV
$636K
Item 19, 2024
Royalty
3%
of gross sales
Ad fund
2%
national + local
Initial fee
$18K
per unit
Investment range
$108K–$526K
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Approved supplier
from the filing
Non-compete
2 years
from the filing
Item 19
Claims
from the filing
Ongoing fee load
What the operator pays every month
The recurring percentage of gross sales named in this filing, before rent, labour or any technology fee.
5%of gross sales (FY2025)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
Systems named in Item 11 of this filing. None is recorded as mandated here, which is not the same as the filing mandating nothing. Read Item 11 before treating the category as open.
FishbowlFishbowl
proximately 13% of the money on in- shop promotion materials/production, 76% on digital programs and support, 8% on administrative costs, and 3% on other advertising costs such as Fishbowl (an email m
InstagramMeta
st comply with our standards and procedures (which we may issue periodically in the Manual or otherwise in writing) as to your use of: blogs, social networks (like “Facebook” and “Instagram”), profess
SquareBlock
r DSL internet access, and phone line. The POS equipment includes the monthly SaaS (software as a service, which is currently $100 per month per location). This includes access to Square Priority Supp
TikTokTikTok
y’s Homemade, Inc. (“Homemade”) alleging that Defendant’s marketing practices violate California’s Trap and Trace Law. Specifically, Plaintiff alleges that Homemade partnered with TikTok to install so
TwitterX
ike “Facebook” and “Instagram”), professional networks (such as “Linked-In”), live blogging tools (such as B&J Special Venue Scoop Shop Program/FDD 31 April 25, 2025 1616405048.4 “Twitter”), virtual w
WorldpayWorldpay
d sales and redemptions by the franchise shops remain with the franchisee. The Company on a quarterly basis initiates a manual process to make the shops whole for redeeming legacy WorldPay (the prior
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
26 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 5 explicit no's; 3 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Must the franchisee use an accounting or bookkeeping system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
OPERATOR shall record all sales on a computer-based, point-of-sale record keeping and control system designated by BEN & JERRY’S, or on any other equipment or communication system specified by BEN & JERRY’S in the Manual or otherwise in writing.
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesItem 11
The POS System will upload daily sales information to a cloud-based server, viewable via an online portal (the “Dashboard”).
Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
No later than the sixtieth (60th) day of the end of each calendar year, OPERATOR shall submit an annual profit and loss statement reflecting all Gross Sales during the preceding calendar year and such other information as BEN & JERRY’S may specify for the preceding calendar year.
How the franchisor buys
Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?
YesItem 8
We may be an approved supplier of some of such items.
Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?
YesItem 11
We have organized and facilitated the growth of a council known as the “Ben & Jerry’s Franchisee Advisory Council” (“Council”).
Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?
YesItem 11
We reserve the right to change our specifications in the future to take advantage of technological advances or to adapt the POS System to meet operational needs and changes.
How much revenue did the franchisor and its affiliates earn from franchisee purchases in the last fiscal year?
23043315Item 8
During our Parent’s last fiscal year, ending December 31, 2024, our Parent’s revenue from sales of required purchases of Ben & Jerry’s Products (that is, our Parent’s revenue from sales of Ben & Jerry’s Products made through independent distributors to franchisees under the System) was approximately $23,043,315 based…
Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
We receive commissions from our Parent in connection with purchases by franchisees of Ben & Jerry’s Products through distributors.
Item 8 gives this proportion in one of two shapes: separate percentages for establishing the business and for operating it, or one figure covering "establishing and operating" together. Where they are separate, answer with the operating percentage; where the passage gives only the combined figure, answer with that. What percentage of the franchisee's purchases must come from designated or approved suppliers?
80Item 8
and leases that you must obtain from approved suppliers or distributors, or in accordance with our specifications will represent approximately 75% of your total purchases or leases in establishing your Shop, and approximately 80% of your total purchases or leases in the continuing operation of your Shop.
Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?
YesFranchise agreement
A charge not to exceed the reasonable cost of the evaluation and testing shall be paid by OPERATOR.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesItem 8
If you want to purchase unapproved products, or equipment, supplies, services, or Non- Proprietary Products (the “Non-Proprietary Item(s)”) from other than approved suppliers, you must submit a request to us in writing, together with the samples or other evidence of conformity with our specifications as we reasonably…
Communications
Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?
YesFranchise agreement
In the event BEN & JERRY’S does not elect to exercise its option to acquire the lease or sublease for the Authorized Location, OPERATOR shall make such modifications or alterations to the Authorized Location (including the changing of, and the assigning to BEN & JERRY’S of, the telephone number) immediately upon…
Data and IT
Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
OPERATOR agrees to comply with such directives related to OPERATOR’s compliance with the applicable industry regulations and/or guidelines related to the processing of credit/debit cards promulgated by the card issuers (e.g., Cardholder Information Security Program (“CISP”) promulgated by Visa®)) and/or service…
Franchise management
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesFranchise agreement
BEN & JERRY’S and its agents shall have the right at all reasonable times during the term of this Agreement, and for up to two (2) years thereafter, to examine and copy, at the expense of BEN & JERRY’S, the books, records, accounts, and/or business tax returns of OPERATOR.
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesItem 14
We may revise the contents of the Manual periodically.
Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?
YesItem 11
You must obtain our written authorization of the proposed site, including basic footprint review, before executing a lease.
Marketing
Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?
YesFranchise agreement
OPERATOR shall not establish a separate Website or register any domain name that displays or uses the Proprietary Marks or any marks confusingly similar thereto, or that refers to this Agreement, the Products, BEN & JERRY’S or the System.
Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?
YesFranchise agreement
OPERATOR shall contribute to the Fund amounts which, in the aggregate, are equal to two percent (2%) of OPERATOR’s Gross Sales for the preceding month.
Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?
YesFranchise agreement
OPERATOR shall sell or otherwise issue gift cards (“Gift Cards”) and (whether as part of, or separate from, Gift Cards) loyalty cards (“Loyalty Cards”) that have been prepared utilizing the standard form of Gift Card or Loyalty Card provided or designated by BEN & JERRY’S, and only in the manner specified by BEN &…
Operations
Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?
YesItem 8
At present, you must purchase the Ben & Jerry’s Products directly from our designated independent distributors for your Shop.
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
You must purchase all Non-Proprietary Products and other items solely from manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers who demonstrate to our continuing reasonable satisfaction the ability to meet our responsible sourcing standards, criteria and specifications, who possess adequate quality controls and capacity to…
Payments
Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
OPERATOR agrees to maintain, at all times, credit card relationships with the credit and debit card issuers or sponsors, check or credit verification services, financial- center services, merchant service providers, and electronic fund transfer systems (together, “Credit Card Vendors”) that BEN & JERRY’S may…
Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?
YesFranchise agreement
OPERATOR shall sell or otherwise issue gift cards (“Gift Cards”) and (whether as part of, or separate from, Gift Cards) loyalty cards (“Loyalty Cards”) that have been prepared utilizing the standard form of Gift Card or Loyalty Card provided or designated by BEN & JERRY’S, and only in the manner specified by BEN &…
People
Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?
YesItem 11
A Scoop U-certified franchisee or manager is required at each location on a full-time and best-efforts basis.
Point of sale
Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
We will require that you purchase an approved POS System and related software, including any SaaS license required in connection with the POS System.
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesItem 11
Follow-Up Training You, your manager and other employees may also be required to attend additional courses, seminars, and other training programs as we may require from time to time (and for which we may impose a fee).
The filing answers no to 5 questions
- Must the franchisee participate in a customer-satisfaction or net-promoter survey program?Franchise agreement
- Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?Item 11
- Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?Item 11
- Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?Item 6
- Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?Item 21
The vendor opportunity at Special Venue Scoop Shop Program - Franchise Renewals
17 franchised and 2 company-owned Ben & Jerry's scoop shop locations sit under this Unilever-owned program, filed as a 2025 FDD. Average unit volume runs $635,597 on a 3% royalty — a compact system, but one with named officers and a defined supplier structure worth mapping before a pitch.
Who controls software purchasing
Item 2 names five officers: a CFO/Treasurer, a COO, a Global Head of Scooping & North America Associate Director, a Retail Training Program Manager, and a VP. Vendors selling financial or back-office tools should route through the CFO/Treasurer; operational and training tools point toward the COO and the training program manager.
Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required
The FDD requires none of the systems it names. Facebook, Fishbowl, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Worldpay appear across Items 3, 11 and 21, each named without being required. That covers the social, inventory (Fishbowl) and payments (Worldpay) categories a vendor would want to check before pitching.
Procurement, renewals and timing
Item 8 sets an approved-supplier list. Ben & Jerry's Products must come from designated independent distributors, while other equipment, supplies and services need franchisor approval — franchisees can propose alternative suppliers for review. Item 17's renewal clause requires notice, compliance with the franchise and any lease, a renewal fee, and a then-current agreement for a new 5-year term. Unit count is down 22.7% year over year, worth factoring into how urgently a franchisee might revisit vendor spend.
How to read the Special Venue Scoop Shop Program FDD
The embedded PDF viewer below carries the full filing, submitted to state franchise regulators in 2025. Item 8 covers the supplier rules and Item 17 the renewal terms — both are short reads relative to a full multi-unit chain's FDD.
For a ranked list of where this brand sits against other targets in the segment, talk to FranCloud.
Questions vendors ask
Special Venue Scoop Shop Program - Franchise Renewals, answered from the filing
Item 2 names a CFO/Treasurer (Michael Graning), a COO (Rebecca Robinson) and a VP (David A. Schwartz). Back-office and financial tools should route to the CFO/Treasurer; operational and field tools point to the COO.
The FDD requires none of the systems it names. Facebook, Fishbowl, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Worldpay appear across Items 3, 11 and 21, each named without being required.
17 total locations — 17 franchised and 2 company-owned — in the retail food segment, with unit count down 22.7% year over year.
Item 8 sets an approved-supplier list: Ben & Jerry's Products must come from designated independent distributors, and other equipment and supplies need franchisor approval, with room to propose alternatives.
Franchise terms run 5 years, and renewal requires notice, compliance, a renewal fee and a refurbishment to then-current standards. With units down 22.7% year over year, near-term activity will likely cluster around these renewal checkpoints.
The full filing is embedded below in the PDF viewer, filed with state franchise regulators in 2025. Item 8 covers supplier terms and Item 17 the renewal conditions directly.
Source
Read the filing itself
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FDD alert
Tell me when this brand refiles.
We’ll email you the moment Special Venue Scoop Shop Program - Franchise Renewals files a new annual FDD, usually the freshest signal of a vendor change.
Operator footprint
Who runs the locations
37 operators run 37 mapped locations. 0 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.
Operators by units owned
Single-unit37
Top states by locations
| NY | 3 |
|---|---|
| NV | 3 |
| WA | 3 |
| CT | 2 |
| AZ | 2 |
Ownership
The portfolio behind Special Venue Scoop Shop Program - Franchise Renewals
holding_vehicle of Unilever.
Sibling brands
Related Retail food brands
Primary franchise filings · updated September 2026. Every figure is source-traceable and QA-checked.