Jeremiah's Italian Ice franchise startup costs run $329K–$715K for a layered Italian ice and soft serve dessert concept. Jeremiah's differentiation is its signature 'Gelati' — layers of Italian ice and soft-serve cream — served in branded drive-thru and walk-up locations. 200+ locations and expanding.
Jeremiah's Italian Ice is a frozen dessert franchise founded in 1996 in Orlando, Florida, specializing in Italian ice, soft-serve ice cream, and its signature 'Gelati' — alternating layers of Italian ice and soft-serve cream served in cups or waffle cones. As of 2026, Jeremiah's operates 200+ locations concentrated in the Southeast US with active expansion into new markets. The brand's differentiation is the Gelati format and its wide range of Italian ice flavors, positioning it in the premium frozen dessert segment alongside more well-known soft-serve and ice cream concepts but with a distinct product offering. Jeremiah's locations operate as drive-thru, walk-up, or inline retail formats, providing site flexibility for franchisees. The brand has accelerated its franchising since 2020 and is one of the faster-growing dessert franchise concepts in the Southeast.
Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment for a Jeremiah's Italian Ice franchise runs $329,000–$715,000. Site type (drive-thru vs. walk-up vs. inline) is the primary driver of the investment range:
Jeremiah's Italian Ice charges a 6% royalty on gross sales plus a 2% advertising fund contribution, for a combined 8% of gross sales. The advertising fund supports national brand campaigns, digital acquisition, social media marketing, and seasonal promotional programs. Jeremiah's revenue follows a strong seasonal pattern — peak demand runs from spring through early fall, with significant volume concentration in summer months. Florida and Southeast markets with year-round warm weather mitigate seasonality for locations in those regions.
Jeremiah's Italian Ice requires prospective franchisees to demonstrate a minimum net worth of $500,000 and liquid capital of at least $150,000. These thresholds reflect the $329K–$715K investment range and the working capital cushion needed to ramp through the first operating season and build a recurring customer base. Jeremiah's evaluates candidates on food service or retail management experience, customer service orientation, and commitment to operating in local community markets.
Jeremiah's Italian Ice is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan processing. Common financing paths:
Jeremiah's Italian Ice is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, so SBA-approved lenders can process applications without SBA individually reviewing the franchise agreement. At the $329K–$715K investment range, the primary vehicle is SBA 7(a). Here is what lenders evaluate:
Most Jeremiah's loans are structured as SBA 7(a) term loans covering franchise fee + leasehold improvements + equipment + inventory + working capital in a single facility. At $329K–$715K total cost, the loan amount after the 20–25% equity injection runs $247K–$572K. 10-year term is typical for food franchise SBA loans. Equipment (Italian ice machines, soft-serve units, refrigeration) can be financed separately to reduce SBA loan size. Working capital allocation should explicitly include winter cash-flow reserves for non-Southeast markets. See SBA 7(a) loan guide for the application checklist.
ClearValue Lending works with food and dessert franchise operators on SBA, equipment, and working capital financing. Apply at Find my match. Your file routes to one matched lender.
Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment runs $329,000–$715,000. Site type is the primary driver — a drive-thru build is more capital-intensive than an inline or walk-up location. Equipment (Italian ice machines and soft-serve equipment) and leasehold improvements are the largest consistent cost components.
Jeremiah's signature product is the 'Gelati' — alternating layers of Italian ice and soft-serve ice cream served in cups or cones. The layered format is distinctive and visually appealing, driving strong social media visibility and higher average ticket than single-product frozen dessert concepts.
Jeremiah's charges a 6% royalty on gross sales plus a 2% advertising fund contribution, for a combined 8% of gross sales.
Jeremiah's revenue peaks strongly in spring and summer, with significant volume concentrated in summer months. Florida and Southeast markets benefit from year-round demand. In northern markets, franchisees should plan cash flow around seasonal variation and maintain working capital reserves to bridge winter operating costs.
Yes. Jeremiah's is on the SBA Franchise Directory. SBA 7(a) covers franchise fee, leasehold improvements, equipment, and working capital. Equipment financing can supplement for Italian ice machines and soft-serve equipment.
SBA lenders typically require a minimum global DSCR of 1.25×–1.35× for startup franchise loans. For Jeremiah's, lenders model annual DSCR — not peak summer revenue — because debt service runs 12 months. The 8% combined royalty/ad fee load is stress-tested against post-fee net operating income. Non-Florida markets need explicit winter cash-flow reserves in the working capital plan.
SBA lenders require 20–25% equity injection of total project cost from personal or business funds not borrowed for this purpose. At the $329K–$715K Jeremiah's investment range, that is approximately $66K–$179K. ROBS (Rollover for Business Startups) is an SBA-accepted equity source — retirement funds can fund the injection tax-free and penalty-free.