THE Business for Sale Marketplace

Two brand name ice cream stores in the Cleveland area. Both profitable. Both rather recently remodeled. Excellent locations. Nationally known brand name makes for instant recognition (they are frnachised stores). The stores are to be sold as a package.

One store was first purchased in 2003, and then was remodeled in early 2004. Unfortunately, because of problems in the remodeling process, it was shut down over two (2) summers, and it did not re-open for business until August 2005. The overly long shutdown obviously hampered business. Income and profit was nil during the entire shutdown, but fixed expenses, such as rent, etc., were continuing obligations of the owners, and that is responsible for losses which the store incurred for that time, and for a while. But the business has been very profitable since.
The owner’s franchise agreement for this store has about seven and one-half (7.5) years remaining. It is in an upscale shopping center in a very desirable neighborhood. Reasonable rent. The employees are skilled and trustworthy.

The second store, in existence for more than ten years, was only purchased by the seller in 2008 from the retiring owner. The franchise agreement on that store has 9.5 more years remaining. The store was remodeled, at a considerable cost, after it was bought last year. It has now begun to show profits, since the remodeling.

Both stores present extremely attractive ambiences. Both stores operate year-round, are eat-in or take-out, and are obviously very well located.

The franchisor provides excellent training to its franchisees (up to six weeks) so a buyer will be well-armed to operate the store from the moment training is completed. The franchise is also well-known for excellent support post-training.

The principal reason these stores are being offered for sale is that the owner works a full-time job and takes care of an elderly mother, and so cannot devote sufficient time to the enterprise.

Since its remodeling the older store has met or exceeded the average sales volume for a store in the franchise, and sales are expected to continue to grow.

The stores would undoubtedly benefit immensely from an full-time owner-operator. In that event the stores would undoubtedly project very solid profitability and a solid return on investment. The owner’s health and age have also led to offering the stores for sale.

Both stores have reliable, experienced employees who can be counted on to continue helping to run the businesses. There is no question that the business will greatly benefit from an owner-operator, or from an owner who can devote more time to the operation than the current owner.

Asking $410,000 for both stores, including all rights under the owner’s franchise agreements. A sale is subject to approval of the buyer by the franchisor, and also subject to successful completion of all new franchisee training programs.