Marble Slab Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs (2025)

Marble Slab Creamery was founded in 1983 in Houston, Texas, by chefs Penn and LaPage, who introduced the innovative “frozen slab” technique for mixing ice cream with various toppings on a chilled marble slab. This unique approach quickly set Marble Slab apart in the competitive ice cream market.
The company started franchising in 1984, and its headquarters is now located in Beverly Hills, California. Marble Slab Creamery is known for its super-premium, hand-mixed ice cream, which is made fresh in small batches in-store using dairy from local farms and premium ingredients from around the world.
What differentiates Marble Slab Creamery from its competitors is not only the freshness of its ingredients but also the interactive and customizable experience it offers to customers.
Each visit allows customers to create their own unique combinations of ice cream, mix-ins, and hand-rolled waffle cones, making every trip a new adventure.
Initial Investment
How much does it cost to start a Marble Slab Creamery franchise? It costs on average between $333,000 – $514,000 to start a Marble Slab Creamery franchised restaurant.
This includes costs for construction, equipment, inventory, and initial operating expenses. The exact amount depends on various factors, including the type of restaurant you choose, the location, and whether the franchisee chooses to lease or purchase the property. Indeed, Marble Slab Creamery offers 4 types of franchises:
Restaurant Type | Initial Investment Range |
---|---|
Traditional Restaurant | $277,500 to $402,150 |
Non-Traditional Restaurant | $190,800 to $327,150 |
Satellite | $105,350 to $201,811 |
GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES-MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY co-brand | $385,185 to $512,135 |
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Marble Slab Creamery franchised Traditional Restaurant. For more information on the costs required to start a Marble Slab Creamery franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure | Traditional Restaurant |
---|---|
Franchise Fee | $25,000 |
Grand Opening Marketing | $3,000 to $5,000 |
Travel & Living Expenses While Training | $1,000 to $3,000 |
Other Opening Inventory | $5,700 to $15,150 |
Architectural Fees | $7,000 to $12,500 |
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment, & Decor | $91,000 to $121,000 |
Signs | $4,500 to $9,500 |
Prepaid Rent & Security Deposit | $2,500 to $5,000 |
Leasehold Improvements | $115,000 to $165,000 |
Utility Deposits | $2,200 to $3,000 |
Professional Fees | $1,000 to $6,000 |
POS Systems & Related Technology | $7,600 to $14,000 |
Business Licenses & Permits (6 months) | $1,500 to $2,500 |
Insurance (3 months) | $2,500 to $3,500 |
Additional Funds (3 months) | $8,000 to $12,000 |
Total Estimated Initial Investment | $277,500 to $402,150 |
Average Revenue (AUV)
How much revenue can you make with a Marble Slab Creamery franchise? A Marble Slab Creamery franchised restaurant makes on average $251,000 in revenue (AUV) per year.
Here is the extract from the Franchise Disclosure Document:
This compares to $469,000 yearly revenue for similar ice cream franchises. Below are 10 Marble Slab Creamery competitors as a comparison:
Marble Slab Creamery Franchise Disclosure Document
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Marble Slab Creamery locations are there?
As of the most recent data, Marble Slab Creamery operates 231 franchise locations. The company does not have any company-owned stores, meaning all of its locations are run by franchisees. This reflects the brand’s focus on franchising as its primary business model for expansion.
What is the total investment required to open a Marble Slab Creamery franchise?
The total investment required to open a Marble Slab Creamery franchise ranges from $105,000 to $512,000.
What are the ongoing fees for a Marble Slab Creamery franchise?
For a Marble Slab Creamery franchise, franchisees are required to pay a 6% royalty fee on gross sales. Additionally, there is a 2% marketing fee that contributes to national and regional advertising efforts. These ongoing fees are essential for supporting brand promotion and maintaining consistency across all franchise locations.
What are the financial requirements to become a Marble Slab Creamery franchisee?
To become a Marble Slab Creamery franchisee, you are required to have a minimum net worth of $250,000 and liquid capital of at least $100,000.
These financial requirements ensure that potential franchisees have the financial stability to cover the initial investment, operational expenses, and any unforeseen costs associated with opening and running a Marble Slab Creamery location.
How much can a Marble Slab Creamery franchise owner expect to earn?
The average gross sales for a Marble Slab Creamery franchise are approximately $0.25 million per location. Assuming a 15% operating profit margin, $0.25 million yearly revenue can result in $37,650 EBITDA annually.
Who owns Marble Slab Creamery?
Marble Slab Creamery is owned by Global Franchise Group, LLC, a company that manages and operates several franchise brands.
Global Franchise Group acquired Marble Slab Creamery in 2010 when it was part of a larger acquisition from NexCen Brands. Global Franchise Group also oversees other well-known brands, including Great American Cookies and Pretzelmaker.
This acquisition helped grow the Marble Slab Creamery brand through co-branded locations and expanded its presence both domestically and internationally.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This content has been made for informational and educational purposes only. We do not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the information presented in the article. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other professional advice. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, advertisement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial and/or legal advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.