Handel's Homemade Ice Cream Franchise Costs and Fees 2026

Brand overview

Handel's Homemade Ice Cream is a fast-growing dessert franchise with over 170 locations open and more than 150 in development. The concept combines fresh, in-store ice cream production with walk-up, walk-in and drive-thru store formats.

Handel's Homemade Ice Cream began in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1945, when Alice Handel started making ice cream with fresh fruit from her backyard garden and her own recipes. The ice cream caught on locally, and Handel continued operating the original parlor for 40 years.

Shortly after its 40th anniversary, Lenny Fisher purchased the business and began expanding Handel's beyond its Youngstown roots. Despite that growth, the company has maintained one of the traditions established by its founder: Ice cream is still made fresh by hand at each store using many of the original methods.

Mission: Handel's aims to continue its tradition of making high-quality homemade ice cream while serving the communities where its stores operate.

Vision: The brand is focused on expanding Handel's across the United States while maintaining the product quality and in-store preparation that have defined it since 1945.

• More than 80 years of brand history dating back to 1945.

• Ice cream is made fresh by hand at each location rather than shipped to stores as a finished product.

• The brand uses many of the original methods established by Alice Handel.

• Handel's offers a broad selection of flavors and frozen treats.

• The concept has received national recognition, including recognition from National Geographic, USA Today and other publications.

• Multiple store formats, including walk-up, walk-in and drive-thru/walk-up models, allow the brand to serve customers in different settings.

• Established Brand: Handel's has more than 80 years of operating history, dating back to 1945.

• Consistent Sales Growth: The company reports more than 10 consecutive years of systemwide average same-store sales increases.

• Flexible Store Formats: Franchisees can develop walk-up, walk-in or drive-thru/walk-up locations. Typical end-cap parlors range from approximately 1,600 to 2,200 square feet.

• Multi-Unit Growth: Handel's reports that 60% of its growth comes from existing franchisees.

• Strong Development Pipeline: Over 170 locations are open, with more than 150 additional locations in development.

Growth and development

Handel's is pursuing continued growth across the United States and is currently offering franchise opportunities in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.

Visit the Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream franchise website for more information on current franchising opportunities.

Franchise costs and fees

Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment for a Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream franchise ranges from $404,500 to $995,200 for a walk-in/walk-up parlor and from $404,500 to $1,043,700 for a parlor with a drive-thru. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:

Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee is $50,000 and is due in a lump sum when the franchise agreement is signed.

Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, Handel's Homemade Ice Cream franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:

ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, 144 franchised Handel’s parlors were open and operating for the full 2025 calendar year. Handel’s divided those locations into three equal groups based on gross revenue and reported the average and median gross revenue for each group, along with the number and percentage of parlors that met or exceeded their group’s average.

Handel's works with franchisees on site selection and store development before opening. The company offers several prototypes and works with franchisees to identify sites and building designs suited to their markets.

A typical parlor is an end-cap location of approximately 1,600 to 2,200 square feet with strong visibility and convenient access. The brand prefers locations that can also accommodate exclusive outdoor patio seating.

Franchisees receive assistance with site selection, lease review, store plans and other development requirements before opening.

Handel's provides initial training designed to prepare franchisees and their teams to operate the business and produce the brand's ice cream according to its standards. Training covers the company's business systems, customer service, store operations and ice cream preparation.

The program includes classroom and hands-on training, followed by opening support in the franchisee's market.

Franchisees receive access to the brand's operating manuals, approved suppliers and established operating systems. Handel's also provides support related to store development, advertising and opening a new location.

The company maintains brand standards covering store operations and product preparation to help preserve consistency as the system expands.

Handel's requires franchisees to use designated technology and business systems. The franchise system uses required point-of-sale technology and accounting systems, including QuickBooks or another accounting system approved by the franchisor.

Franchisees must maintain the technology and systems required by Handel's as those requirements change over time.

• Liquid Assets: $250,000

• Net Worth: $500,000

Handel's evaluates prospective franchisees based on their financial qualifications and their ability to operate and grow the business. The franchise inquiry form also asks candidates how many locations they want to develop, indicating that the company is open to working with prospective multi-unit operators.

Handel's franchisees are responsible for maintaining the company's standards for store operations, customer service and on-site ice cream production.

The franchise system permits an operator to employ management rather than requiring the franchise owner to personally manage the store at all times. Regardless of the ownership structure, the franchisee remains responsible for ensuring that the location follows Handel's operating standards.

Handel’s does not offer direct or indirect financing, nor does it guarantee your obligations.

“No matter where I’m at or where I’m serving it, I love what I do.”

• Leigh Jaffer, Multi-Unit Franchisee — Ohio

Market and competition

The global ice cream market is on a steady growth path, valued at about $121.4 billion in 2025 and projected to reach $169.4 billion by 2033. Much of this expansion is being fueled by premiumization, experiential concepts and clean-label offerings that appeal to shifting consumer preferences.

In the United States, demand remains resilient, with per capita consumption averaging over five gallons per year. The sector continues to thrive through innovation and consumer demand for indulgent and customizable desserts. Specialty formats, such as nitrogen ice cream, are carving out a space in the broader frozen dessert category by offering both novelty and quality.

Handel's competes in a crowded ice cream and frozen dessert category, but its positioning centers on making ice cream fresh at each store, a history dating to 1945 and a menu built around homemade ice cream.

The brand's multiple prototypes also give it flexibility when entering new markets. Walk-up, walk-in and drive-thru/walk-up models allow franchisees to evaluate different real estate opportunities rather than relying on one store format.

Primary competitors include Baskin-Robbins, Cold Stone Creamery, Kilwins, Dairy Queen and other regional and independent ice cream concepts.

2. Learn: Candidates learn more about Handel's history and available territories while the franchise development team gets to know them and their goals.

3. Plan: Candidates speak with existing franchisees, review their operating plan and work with Handel's to finalize a territory.

4. Confirm: Prospective franchisees connect with the Handel's leadership team for a more detailed discussion about the business and the support system.

5. Sign: Approved candidates prepare and execute the franchise agreement and officially become Handel's franchisees.

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