Howdy Homemade Ice Cream is not just another ice cream shop. It’s a unique brand with a mission that goes beyond scooping delicious ice cream. Founded in Dallas, Texas, Howdy Ice Cream is known for employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their goal is to spread joy while creating job opportunities for those who are often left out of the workforce.
But beyond the heartwarming mission, Howdy also delivers quality ice cream with bold flavors and a strong community connection. Because of this, many people across the United States are now interested in opening a Howdy Ice Cream franchise. If you’re one of them, you’re probably asking: How much does it cost to open a howdy ice cream franchise? What do I need to start? Is it worth it?
In this article, we will break everything down for you. From the initial investment and ongoing fees to training, support, and potential profits, we’ll cover every detail you need to know before diving into a Howdy franchise.
How Much Is the Initial Franchise Fee?
When starting a franchise, the first major cost is the franchise fee. This fee gives you the rights to use the Howdy brand, their business model, and support system.
For Howdy Ice Cream, the initial franchise fee is around $35,000. This is a common range for small to mid-sized franchises, especially in the food and dessert industry. It’s a one-time payment made at the start of your journey.
This fee covers:
The rights to use the Howdy Homemade Ice Cream brand
Access to their systems and recipes
Initial training
Help with choosing a location and setting up the store
This fee doesn’t cover everything. You’ll still need to pay for your store, equipment, supplies, and more, which we’ll go into next.
What Are the Total Startup Costs?
Opening an ice cream shop takes more than just a freezer and a cash register. You’ll need to find a location, sign a lease, furnish the store, and buy all the equipment needed to make and serve ice cream.
The full startup costs for a Howdy Ice Cream shop can range from $200,000 to $500,000, depending on the size of the store, location, and construction costs.
Here’s a breakdown of where that money might go:
Lease and Renovations: Building out the space to fit the Howdy look and feel can be expensive. Plumbing, electric work, and interior design all cost money.
Equipment: Ice cream machines, refrigerators, sinks, tables, chairs, registers, etc.
Signage and Branding: You want people to know it’s a Howdy shop when they walk by.
Supplies: Cups, spoons, napkins, uniforms, and more.
Inventory: You’ll need your first batch of ingredients and mix-ins to open.
Permits and Licenses: Health permits, business licenses, and any other local requirements.
Marketing and Grand Opening: Promoting your store before and after you open is key to bringing in customers.
These are only estimates, and actual costs can be higher or lower depending on your area. Renting a space in a large city like New York will cost more than a small town in the Midwest.
Are There Any Ongoing Fees?
Yes, like most franchises, Howdy charges ongoing fees to support the brand and offer continuous support.
Royalty Fee: This is usually a percentage of your monthly revenue. For Howdy, the royalty fee is about 6% of your gross sales. This money goes to the franchisor to keep the brand strong and provide you with ongoing help.
Marketing Fee: Some franchises also charge a marketing or advertising fee. This is often around 1% to 2% of your monthly revenue. It’s used to support national or regional advertising campaigns, social media, and promotions.
These fees may not seem like much at first, but they can add up over time. Still, they give you access to branding, training, and the kind of support you don’t get when opening an independent shop.
What Kind of Training and Support Do You Get?
Howdy Homemade Ice Cream offers strong training and support for franchisees. They know that many people entering the ice cream business are doing it for the first time. Because of this, they’ve built a system that helps you learn every part of the business.
Training includes:
Learning how to make and serve ice cream the Howdy way
Customer service techniques
Hiring and managing employees
Following health and safety rules
Using the point-of-sale system
Marketing and local outreach
Most of the training happens at their headquarters or at your location. You’ll get hands-on experience and written guides to help you along the way.
Support continues even after you open. You’ll have regular check-ins, access to business tools, and help with promotions or events. If anything goes wrong, you’ll have a team to call for help.
What Makes the Howdy Franchise Stand Out?
The biggest thing that separates Howdy from other ice cream franchises is their mission. They focus on inclusion, kindness, and community impact. Hiring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities isn’t just a side note—it’s at the heart of everything they do.
When you open a Howdy store, you’re not just selling ice cream. You’re changing lives. Many customers feel proud to support a business that gives back to the community.
This mission-driven model can help bring in loyal customers. It also attracts media attention and support from local organizations. That kind of exposure can help your business grow faster than a typical dessert shop.
How Much Money Can You Make?
Like any business, your income will depend on many things—location, foot traffic, marketing, and how well you manage the shop.
On average, a successful Howdy Ice Cream shop could bring in $250,000 to $500,000 in annual revenue. After paying expenses and fees, your take-home profit might be 10% to 20% of your sales.
So, if your shop makes $400,000 in sales per year, your net profit might be between $40,000 and $80,000.
Some shops may do better, especially in busy locations or near schools, parks, or shopping areas. Others may struggle, especially during winter months or in low-traffic areas. It’s important to do local research and create a solid business plan.
Who Is the Ideal Franchisee?
Howdy Homemade Ice Cream is looking for franchisees who care about the mission as much as the money. You don’t need to have restaurant experience, but you do need to be willing to work hard, learn the business, and lead with compassion.
You should be:
Passionate about making a difference in your community
Good with people and friendly with customers
Willing to manage and train a team
Able to invest time and money in the business
Interested in promoting and growing your store locally
If this sounds like you, Howdy might be the right fit.
Is Howdy Ice Cream a Good Investment?
Many people are drawn to Howdy because of the heart behind the business. But it also makes sense financially for the right person.
Here are a few pros and cons to consider:
Pros:
Strong brand and feel-good mission
Loyal customer base
Supportive franchise team
Community support and media attention
Training and resources provided
Cons:
High startup costs
Ongoing fees take a portion of your profits
Seasonal business (slow during winter)
Requires a lot of time and personal involvement
Profit margins can be slim in high-rent areas
If you’re in it for more than just the money and are willing to be hands-on, the investment can pay off both financially and emotionally.
Conclusion
Opening a Howdy Ice Cream franchise is not cheap, but it’s an investment in something bigger than just an ice cream shop. The startup cost can be significant—$200,000 or more—but you’re also getting a ready-made business model, training, and a meaningful mission that resonates with many customers.
It’s not for everyone. But if you care about inclusion, community, and of course, ice cream, then Howdy might be the right path for you.
Before making any big decisions, it’s smart to speak with current franchisees, visit existing stores, and ask the franchise team every question you have. If you feel excited after that, it might just be the opportunity you’ve been looking for.
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