
If you are looking for information on the Shake Frozen Custard franchise business opportunity, Shake Frozen Custard franchises or Shake Frozen Custard franchising, then you have come to the right place.
Shake's Frozen Custard was established in 1991 in Joplin, Missouri. It didn't take long for the little ice cream shop to become recognized as the place to get a side order of fun friendly service with every cone, shake, or concrete that was served. The idea behind the store was to recapture the spirit and attitude of the old fashioned soda fountain of the 50's, while providing the fast convenient service of today. The combination proved to be a delicious recipe for Success.
At every Shake's Frozen Custard location you will find the same fast friendly service that defines the business. You will also be treated to America's Favorite Frozen Custard! ™, which has won numerous awards for Best Ice Cream/Frozen Dessert. The menu at Shake's Frozen Custard offers a variety of menu items, so you never have to have the same flavor every time you visit us. The Shake's Concrete blends your favorite candy, fruits, or hot sauces into the smooth creamy custard to give you a delectable frozen treat. Or you can try one of our signature Classic Sundaes that combine layers of our frozen custard with premium toppings to produce a delicious dessert anyone can love. For those people who like the traditional ice cream favorites, we also have a mountain of flavors to choose from for shakes, malts, and sundaes.
We thank each and every one of our customers who visit our stores across the nation. We appreciate your business and welcome any comments or questions you have regarding our products or franchise opportunities.
Frozen Custard is a gourmet ice cream treat which first originated on Coney Island, New York, as a carnival treat at the turn-of-the-century. The popularity of Frozen Custard quickly grew and was the rage of the East Coast. Frozen Custard could be found at many East Coast resort areas. Many travelers had a chance to taste the new sensation and it quickly spread to the Midwest. Milwaukee is currently considered the "Custard Capital of the World." The enjoyment of Frozen Custard was taken by "Snowbirds" to winter resort havens. The result, shops had to satisfy these customers. The popularity of Frozen Custard is spreading into other regions of the country as well. In order for a frozen dessert to be considered a frozen custard it must contain a certain percentage of egg yolk and butterfat.
Shake's has developed its own frozen custard mix that has been tailored and perfected to produce a high quality and unique flavor that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. There are no fillers or air injected into the mix during production and it is Made Fresh Hourly™ at every Shake's location.
According to Michael L. Gerber, author of the best selling franchise book, The E-myth, new businesses fail at a rate of 80%, while franchised establishments succeed at a phenomenal rate of 95%. These are staggering numbers.
When obtaining rights to a Shake's Frozen Custard franchise, you are joining a well established, highly reputable, and successful organization. Shake's Frozen Custard is an exclusive, one of a kind product. Shake's is the most delicious frozen custard in the industry. Through patience, practice and a lot of hard work, we have perfected our frozen custard. The Shake's franchisee can be assured that they will be offering the consumer a product that is unmatched in taste and quality.
The Shake's Frozen Custard franchisee is systematically trained in the process that is the result of years of experience. The training program consists of two weeks of comprehensive classroom and one-on-one instruction, covering all aspects of the Shake's Frozen Custard business. You will be taught recipes, how to make our unique product, ordering, how to create our outstanding menu items, and every facet of the business that you will need to be successful.
The information presented may have changed since first published. We recommend that you always verify fees, investment amounts and offers with the business opportunity directly prior to making a decision to invest.
1. What training and ongoing support do you provide?
You want to know what happens after you pay the initial fee. A strong franchisor provides comprehensive pre-opening training, site-selection help, operational playbooks, and continuous assistance with marketing, technology, and supply chains.
2. What is the total initial investment, and did actual startup costs match the estimates in Item 7 of the FDD?
The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) lists estimated startup costs in Item 7, but real-world expenses can run higher. Asking how closely current owners tracked to these estimates reveals if you need extra working capital or if hidden fees exist.
3. How do royalties and local/national marketing fees impact profitability?
You need to understand ongoing financial obligations-such as monthly royalty percentages and ad fund contributions-and evaluate whether the brand value and support justify cutting into your profit margins.
4. What are the common challenges new franchisees face, and how do you help them overcome them?
Transparent franchisors will openly discuss real hurdles like local competition, tight labor markets, or supply chain bottlenecks, and show you the exact playbook or field support they offer to solve them as well as allowing you to speak with other franchisees.
5. How many franchise locations have closed or left the system in the past few years, and why?
High turnover, store closures, or quiet franchise exits are major red flags. This question measures system stability, territory health, and whether the corporate team addresses struggling owners or lets them fail.