Put the Cherry On Top of These 4 Milkshake Shop Franchises

The Editorial Team , writer

Published at 03/07/2019, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 6 min

Put the Cherry On Top of These 4 Milkshake Shop Franchises — Photo © milkshake.jpg

Fancy a slice of the franchise pie? Milkshake shop franchises are rapidly expanding and branching out to the UK. If you’ve got a sweet tooth and a hunger for financial freedom, take a look at our top four milkshake shop franchise opportunities.

You might not immediately think of milkshake shops when it comes to an exciting new business venture, but if you think about it, popular household-name brands like Yazoo and Frijj have been filling up supermarket shelves for decades.More recent years have seen an influx of milkshake shops on our high street, offering thicker American-diner style shakes to slurp up. The concept of milk and ice cream blended together combined with a range of inventive flavours that keep growing is fast becoming a popular pathway for running a franchise.

Given that Yazoo is the most popular milkshake brand in the UK, valued at £85 million at the start of the decade, and that the ice cream market is estimated at £1.4 billion it can be said that businesses in this industry are lucrative ones. Considering the rise of the health-conscious consumer, and that in Britain alone, more than 3.5 million people turned to the vegan diet in 2018, a competitive market like the dessert one needs an innovative thinker and determined mind to expand any business. It’s also important to help it stay fresh and relevant to the ever-changing diets of Britons.

If this gets you craving a business opportunity, here are four milkshake businesses that franchise in the UK.

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The top 4 milkshake shop franchises in the UK

1. Baskin Robbins

The ice cream business Baskin Robbins makes premium ice cream more readily available in their stores, offering an array of luxury frozen desserts at affordable prices, such as milkshakes, sundaes and smoothies for anyone to indulge in. It was founded in 1945. The franchise has more than 150 stores across the UK and is still expanding. It even holds a Guinness World Record for the “World’s Largest Ice Cream Scoop Pyramid”, so with its innovative creations and flavours the brand is a leader in the milkshake shop business.

Becoming a Baskin Robbins franchisee: A Baskin Robbins franchisee will be experienced in negotiating and sourcing real estate, as well as in Multi-unit Quick Service Restaurants and confident with the retail or food service industry and how it works. A franchisee should also have a long-term vision of how they want to develop the brand and of how to make their own unique mark. Get started here.
How much you need to invest: To be a Baskin Robbins franchisee, you will need at least an £11,000 for a term of 10 years and a minimum of £100,000 liquid assets for single store investment, as well as needing to pay a 2 percent advertising fee.
What you get for your investment: Becoming a franchisee means that you will receive support from the company and fully comprehensive training from professionals in areas such as operations, management, health and safety as well as food safety and hygiene standards. An estate agent will also be at hand to assist you in sourcing ideal and suitable locations for your branches. Better yet, Baskin Robbins holds quarterly meetings for franchisees to meet, network and share ideas on how to run your ice cream business.

Did you know? Yazoo is valued at £85 million

2. Shakeaway

Shakeaway is the world’s largest milkshake bar company, responsible for reframing milkshakes as the fun and refreshing drink we know today.The milkshake company uses fresh ingredients and makes every order by hand, offering 180 different flavours. You can even make an endless list of combinations to find your perfect shake. As well as fruity smoothies, Shakeaway even has healthier fat-free and low sugar options on the menu, even in the form of frozen yoghurt, for those a bit more calorie-conscious. It’s got something for everyone!

Becoming a Shakeaway franchisee: Running your own milkshake shop is now a sweet-lover’s dream come true with Shakeaway. With the necessary finances to invest and no previous experiences, it’s possible to start running your own business. Find out more here.
How much you need to invest: You can start up your own Shakeaway business with a minimum investment of £40,000, and a total investment of £100,000 overall. You’ll also have to pay a nine percent royalty fee and you can expect your floor space for your milkshake shop to be between 800 and 1000 square feet.
What you get for your investment: The management team can support you in every aspect, whether it be finding the perfect profitable location for your store, recruiting your team, the nitty-gritty of marketing administration or training for you and your employees. Shakeaway will also provide branch accounts, payroll and vat returns so you don’t have to worry. UK approved franchisee applicants can even receive funds for up to three-quarters of the cost of fitting the shop! It’s never been easier.

>> Read more:

3. Creams Café

Creams Café may not be the milkshake-mogul that Shakeaway is, but its unique and creative take on the sweet treats market offers space for franchisees to expand and market the chain with great economic return. The dessert parlour takes the 1950s American-diner taste and combines it with an Italian twist, known for its gelato-flavoured ice cream and coffee. The company have even added a vegan menu to their ammo, giving customers with all dietary requirements a chance to taste their shakes and other desserts.

Becoming a Creams Café franchisee: Of course, catering and retailing experience is extremely helpful when it comes to becoming a franchisee in this industry, but the company does offer training and consistent support throughout, so previous knowledge is not essential. You’ll also need to be prepared to pay a five percent royalty fee and a 1 percent marketing fee of gross sales. Click here to find out more.
How much you need to invest: To become a Creams Café franchisee, you will need you to invest £14,950 + VAT for each franchise unit and have an overall minimum investment of £250,000.
What you get for your investment: As a franchisee, you’ll receive all the different kinds of training you need to be prepared before and during your store opening, such as a 21 intensive-day course at the Creams Academy. You’ll get a certificate for your work, and on top of that support and advice on recruitment and marketing. Refresher classes are even available to master the running of your business.

4. Treatz Desserts

This dessert company has branches around Berkshire and has only been up and running since 2012. But, while it is a rather young brand, it should not be misjudged for its franchise potential. Treatz Desserts is a food franchise, offering up everything from waffles to milkshakes on its menus. The company even offers catering for events.

Becoming a Treatz Desserts franchisee: You’ll need to be able to invest a total of £255,000 and possessing some management and accounting skills is always useful. But this isn’t mandatory. As long as your skills and interests match up with the Treatz-franchise ethos, you will receive comprehensive training for the rest and support throughout the process of managing your own franchise. Click here to get started.
What you get for your investment: Becoming a Treatz Desserts franchisee means your team could potentially earn a profit of 21.6 percent and a chance to gain first-hand experience in supply chains, marketing, operations and managements – skills which are invaluable in any career.

See success with a milkshake shop franchise

The milkshake business could be the perfect opportunity for you to kick-start your franchise career and run your own milkshake shop. To browse other franchise opportunities in this area, click here and find out more about the franchise requirements of each business.