Why Ice Cream Stands Out Among Food Franchise Options

A Food Franchise Concept with Consistent Demand

When considering food franchise opportunities, choosing a concept with long-term demand is key. Ice cream has been a staple of the dessert industry for generations, and its popularity shows no signs of fading. According to the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), ice cream makers in the U.S. produced 1.30 billion gallons of ice cream in one year, reinforcing its place as a top-selling frozen dessert. The industry also has a $11.4 billion economic impact, supporting 27,100 direct jobs and generating $1.9 billion in direct wages.

Beyond the numbers, ice cream is an experience—one that customers seek out time and time again. Whether it’s a weekend treat, a celebration, or just a craving, ice cream brings people together, making it an ideal repeat business model in the food franchise world.

Why Ice Cream Continues to Dominate the Market

Ice cream is more than just a dessert—it’s a cultural favorite. The IDFA reports that the average American eats about 20 pounds of ice cream each year, which translates to about four gallons per person. The demand is consistent across all demographics, with families serving as the primary customer group for ice cream shops. The industry’s busiest months for production run from March through September, yet consumers enjoy ice cream year-round, making it a resilient and reliable food franchise choice.

At La Diperie, we take the love of ice cream a step further. Our franchise concept offers a highly customizable experience, where customers can dip soft serve vanilla ice cream into over 31 different coatings, including flavors like S’mores, Key Lime Pie, and Cheesecake. Before the coating hardens, they can top their ice cream with nuts, candies, cereals, or fruit, creating a unique, made-to-order dessert.

With endless flavor combinations, La Diperie offers more than just ice cream—we provide an interactive, memorable treat that keeps customers coming back. In a market where premium and regular ice cream make up 80% of sales (IDFA), our high-quality ingredients and unique dipping experience make us stand out from the competition.

La Diperie: a Unique Food Franchise Model

We’ve taken the best aspects of the ice cream business and made them even better. Our commitment to quality, customization, and a seamless franchise model makes us an ideal food franchise investment.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Small footprint, lower overhead: Our locations require minimal space and staffing, making operations efficient and cost-effective.
• Comprehensive franchise support: As part of Kahala Brands™, we provide franchisees with hands-on training, marketing assistance, and operational guidance.
• Proven track record: With many locations in Canada, we’ve perfected our model and are expanding in the U.S.
• Evergreen demand: Even in fluctuating economies, ice cream remains a steady favorite. As Peter Tsafoulias, our Vice President of Franchise Development, puts it, “Whether we’re in a bad economy or a good economy, we’ve seen La Diperie thrive in both scenarios.”

Learn More about Franchising with La Diperie

Ice cream is an industry that continues to grow. As a La Diperie franchise owner, you’ll be part of a food segment with a proven customer base, strong demand, and a brand that stands out.

Learn more about what it takes to franchise with La Diperie by visiting our franchise research pages here. If you’re ready to start a conversation with our franchise team, we invite you to fill out our form here. We look forward to exploring our franchise opportunities with you!