Established Ice Cream Retail Business
Absentee-Operated | Management in Place | Proven Cash Flow/Self Funded/ Seller Financing/NO SBA Looking for a Fast Close
Executive Business Overview
This opportunity represents the acquisition of an established, operating retail dessert business that is currently run on an absentee basis with management and staff in place. The owner is not involved in daily operations, making this a compelling opportunity for a buyer seeking cash flow without hands-on management.

The business operates under the Cold Stone Creamery system, providing operational consistency and brand-driven demand, while day-to-day execution is handled at the store level.

Key Financial Snapshot
Annual Gross Sales: ~$841,000
Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE): ~$217,000
Operating Model: Absentee / Semi-Absentee
Staffing: Manager + hourly staff in place
These financials reflect a stable, running business, not a turnaround or concept-stage opportunity.

Absentee Ownership Model (Core Value Proposition)
This location is already structured for absentee ownership.
Store is managed by an on-site manager
Staff are trained and operating independently
Scheduling, ordering, opening/closing handled without owner involvement

This dramatically reduces transition risk and allows a new owner to step into an existing management-led operation.

Management & Staff Continuity
The current manager has expressed willingness to remain post-sale
Staff are accustomed to working under a management-driven structure
No operational dependency on the seller
This provides immediate continuity for:

Investors balancing other businesses or careers

Final retention discussions to be confirmed during buyer-seller meetings and diligence.
From a buyer’s standpoint, this is not about “buying a franchise.”
It is about acquiring a running retail business with:

Established revenue

Predictable customer traffic

Proven operating systems

Brand-driven demand

Known cost structure

The franchise serves as infrastructure, not the value driver.

Simple, Repeatable Operating Model
Operational complexity is low relative to many food concepts:

No cooking or fryers

No chef-dependent execution

Limited SKUs

Predictable prep and service flow

Short training ramp for staff

This simplicity is a key reason the business performs well under absentee ownership.

Revenue Mix & Stability
The business benefits from multiple revenue streams, including:

In-store retail sales

Custom ice cream creations

Ice cream cakes (higher-margin, planned orders)

Grab-and-go items

Catering, parties, and seasonal events

Operator Insight:
Cakes and catering often represent additional upside under engaged ownership.

Labor Profile & Risk Mitigation
No specialized kitchen labor

This reduces exposure to labor volatility and owner burnout.

Brand & Demand as an Operating Advantage
While this is positioned as a business sale, the brand provides:
Marketing support that drives foot traffic

This reduces customer acquisition risk and supports stable sales levels.

Upside Without Re-Engineering the Business
Growth does not require reinventing the operation.

Common Value-Add Levers

Optimizing hours and labor efficiency

Expanding cake and catering sales

Strengthening local partnerships

Incremental operational tightening

These are execution-based improvements, not speculative changes.

Buyer Profile (Best Fit)
This opportunity is well-suited for:

Absentee or semi-absentee buyers

Business owners seeking diversification

Franchise portfolio operators

No ice cream or restaurant background required.

Broker’s Perspective
This is a clean acquisition of a cash-flowing, absentee-operated retail business with management and staff already in place, producing approximately $841K in annual revenue and $217K in SDE.

The buyer is stepping into continuity—not chaos.

Confidential Sale Process
NDA required
Financials provided to qualified buyers
Store visits by appointment only