The world of franchising according to Tasti D-Lite.
What is franchising?
Franchising is the most popular system for growing a business in the United States today.
Franchising is not a business itself. It’s simply one way of doing business. The word “franchising" may be used to describe a number of business models, but is most commonly used to describe business format franchising. The International Franchise Association defines franchising as: “a continuing relationship in which the franchisor provides a licensed privilege to do business, plus assistance in organizing training, merchandising and management in return for a consideration from the franchisee.”
Other franchising facts:
Franchising is used in some 70 industries.
In the U.S., franchised businesses operate in every state and congressional district.
There are nearly a million franchised businesses in the United States producing $624.6 billion of economic output.
In 2001, franchising provided over 18 million jobs (13.7% of all private sector employment) at a payroll of $506.6 billion.
Is the Tasti D-Lite franchise opportunity the right choice for me?
If you’re lucky, it is! Deciding to go into business for yourself requires careful consideration. If you seek entrepreneurship—but as part of a team and with training, tools and support to help you—a Tasti D-Lite franchise may be just what you’re looking for. In addition to general business skills and sufficient investment capital, we’re looking for people who share our enthusiasm for helping others enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle.
We encourage you to review the information posted on our website. Start by clicking on the “Own a Center” tab and explore the pages that follow.
Are you offering Tasti D-Lite franchises in the U.S.?
Yes! Tasti D-Lite’s vision is to develop a franchise network throughout the U.S. and around the world. That may now include your city or town; franchises are now available in many U.S. states and territories. Just fill out the online Request for Information form, or contact one of our franchise development representatives to find out if we’re seeking franchisees in your location.
Does Tasti D-Lite offer opportunities beyond owning a single center?
Absolutely. Tasti D-Lite is offering multiple-center franchise and Area Development licenses in all states where it currently offers individual franchises. The multiple-unit opportunity enables entrepreneurs to own and operate two or more centers in a particular territory. The Area Developer opportunity is available to more experienced entrepreneurs. Their license is to work with us in developing the franchise network across a much larger region. Area Developers are responsible for recruiting additional franchisees and providing local support to them. In return, they receive a portion of both the new franchise fees and ongoing royalties from their territory. Both the multiple-unit and Area Developer opportunities also give existing franchise owners options to scale their Tasti D-Lite businesses over time.
Is Tasti D-Lite franchising internationally?
Yes, our vision is to share Tasti’s goodness worldwide. As a key component of Tasti D-Lite’s global growth strategy, we’re now seeking country-level Master Franchisees in selected international markets. Master Franchisees are responsible for leading the development and operations of the Tasti D-Lite franchise network in their countries. A Master Franchisee will open the first center in their country. Then the Master Franchisee will recruit franchisees throughout the country and provide them training and support just as we do for our franchisees in the U.S. To qualify for a Master Franchise you must be an individual, group or company with significant experience in your country and the resources and management acumen to build a substantial business over time.
Once a Master Franchisee is in place in a country, individual franchises, multi-unit franchises and Area Development opportunities will then become available. Our policy is to first put a Master Franchisee in place to assure that local support and assistance are available to center franchisees, regardless of where they are located. If the center franchise is not yet available in your country, please let us know about your interest so we can contact you again as soon as a Master Franchisee is in place.
How long has Tasti D-Lite been in business?
Tasti D-Lite has over 20 years of experience serving great-tasting, good-for-you frozen desserts in New York and beyond. With new ownership, a new vision, and a highly experienced management team, Tasti D-Lite has entered a new phase of growth and professionalism.
How much does it cost to open a new franchise?
The initial investment for an individual center franchise in the U.S. is estimated between $230,870 to $440,350, including the franchise fee and a provision for some working capital. If you’re interested in using small business financing to support your franchise investment, expect your lender to require a cash investment of $70,000 or more, depending on the total estimated investment amount.
What is your franchise fee?
The franchise fee for an individual franchise center is $30,000. The franchise fees for multiple units decline on a progressive scale. Area Developer and Master Franchisee franchise fees can be considerably higher—in proportion to the size and opportunity in a large territory.
Can you help with financing?
Tasti D-Lite does not provide financing directly to franchisees. But we’d be happy to introduce you to lenders who specialize in franchising and small business finance.
What are Tasti D-Lite royalties? Are there any marketing fees?
Royalties are 5% of gross sales and marketing fees are 2% of gross sales. The Marketing Fund uses the 2% contributions of all U.S. franchisees to support the development and execution of marketing and promotional initiatives for all U.S. franchisees. Outside the U.S., Marketing Funds for specific countries or regions will be managed by local Master Franchisees.
Who finds my franchise location?
You know your own community. We encourage you to find the right spot for your Tasti D-Lite Center. We have a network of real estate brokers who might be able to assist you as well.
Once you sign a preliminary agreement with Tasti D-Lite, we’ll support your efforts to secure a suitable site. We’ll help you understand our site criteria and introduce you to real estate experts who can help. Then, when it’s time to negotiate your lease, you can tap our expertise to help negotiate favorable lease terms.
What is the average, minimum or maximum size of a Tasti D-Lite center?
Although there are Tasti D-Lite centers as small as 200 square feet in Manhattan, the most workable range for our new center design is from 600 square feet to 1,200 square feet (55 to 110 square meters).
Will I have a protected territory for my franchise?
After your site has been secured, we will define a protected geographic territory for your franchise.
What sites are currently available?
We are currently offering franchisees virtually worldwide.
We are now seeking franchisees, multi-unit franchisees and Area Developers in most U.S. states. Please inquire with a franchise development representative to find out if franchises are currently available in your state. If they are not currently available, just wait a little while. We’ll be coming to your state soon. Internationally, we are accepting inquiries for Master Franchises for selected markets worldwide.
What does my training include?
On average, a two-week training program is offered, one week in a classroom environment and the other week in a Tasti D-Lite center.
Leveraging best practices from over 20 years of operational experience, Tasti D-Lite’s two-week franchisee training will do more than make you a world-class Tasteologist; training is structured with the business owner in mind. That’s why our classroom training focuses on marketing, customer service, operations, human resources, finance and management. Then you get hands-on practice behind the controls of a real center through the in-store phase of training. A complete set of operations manuals will be provided to you during training.
After you have opened your center, you’ll be invited to participate in live and online continued training programs—so you can continually sharpen your skills and learn new and improved methods for making your business even better.
Specialized training is provided for multi-unit franchisees, Area Developers and Master Franchisees, to address other aspects of these business models and the practices that will grow them effectively.
When can I receive franchise owner training?
Although Tasti D-Lite offers one or more training programs each month, our classes fill up quickly. As you begin working with a franchise development representative, be sure to discuss your desired dates for training as early as possible so we can help you get into the class that fits your timing.
What support will I receive after initial training is completed?
You’ll receive ongoing support from our vendors and the Tasti D-Lite Technology Institute team. That’s why we’re here.
The Tasti D-Lite franchise support team is exceptionally experienced in guiding and supporting franchise and food service environments. Even before you finish training, a support representative will be assigned to help you get the most out of your ongoing relationship with Tasti D-Lite. In addition to visiting you on-site, our team is also available by phone and e-mail.
We also provide continual support through marketing and product development. Our goal is to make you as effective as possible at creating awareness in your local market and attracting customers to your center. Our marketing team will provide you with tools and know-how. Over time, as we build Tasti D-Lite into a national and global brand, you’ll also be able to participate in regional and national marketing initiatives.
May I open multiple franchises?
Yes, yes, and yes. We have 3 different levels of participation in the Tasti D-Lite franchise team: Single unit, multi-unit and the Area Developer program. Of course, multi-unit and Area Developer franchises require greater financial resources than single-unit franchises.
How much money can I make?
A lot of it’s up to you. As with any small business, the amount of money you can make depends on a number of factors. Most important, it depends on you and the effort you put into your business. As you go through the process of learning about Tasti D-Lite, you’ll have a chance to speak with current Tasti D-Lite center operators and learn from their experiences with the business.
Can I work in one of your centers?
Tasti D-Lite offers in-store training as a part of the two-week training program for new franchisees.
What are the next steps in Tasti D-Lite franchise application process?
Click onto the “Own a Center“ tab and we’ll step you right through it.
How can I get a copy of your Franchise Opportunities Information Packet?
Once you are on the “Own a Center “ tab, fill out and send back the Request For Information form. Once we receive it, we’ll walk you through our presentation.
How can I contact you for more information?
For interest in the U.S., contact the domestic franchise development department. For International interests, contact Director of International Development, Kurt Ullman.
What is Tasti D-Lite?
Tasti D Lite is a soft-serve, dairy-based frozen dessert that has less of what you don’t need, and more of what you want—creamy delicious taste! It’s a new kind of product, created through science that harnesses nature’s own technologies. Tasti D-Lite is significantly lower in calories, fat, carbohydrates and sugar, compared to traditional ice cream products. It’s made from the finest ingredients with virtually no preservatives added. We can’t call it “ice cream” because it contains less butterfat and total solids than ice cream; nor can we call it yogurt, because it doesn’t contain yogurt bacteria. It’s unique. It’s Tasti D-Lite… and there’s nothing else like it in the world.
For more information on the Tasti D-Lite product, visit the product FAQ on this site.
Will you be adding other lines to your offerings?
We’re always working to improve and extend the Tasti experience, without compromising the great-tasting, good-for-you reputation that has made us New York’s favorite guilt-free indulgence.
How experienced is Tasti D-Lite management?
Very! The Tasti D-Lite management team is a veritable “who’s who” of franchising. Some quick facts:
Tasti D-Lite Chairman, Jim Amos, is the former Chairman of the International Franchise Association and has supported over 10,000 franchisees during his career as a franchise executive.
Tasti D-Lite COO, Peter Holt, has been involved in franchising for over 20 years, with extensive experience in both domestic and international franchising.
There’s more information on the Tasti D-Lite management team.
How is Tasti D-Lite creating a new segment in the food business?
Tasti D-Lite is creating an entirely new segment in the restaurant business by providing customers delicious frozen desserts and other treats to help them live a healthy and active lifestyle. Our products use nutritional science so our customers can enjoy a guilt-free indulgence. And just like our customers, each new Tasti D-Lite location is fun and vibrant, making the Tasti experience one they want to come back to often.
This web page does not constitute a franchise offering or an offer to sell a franchise. A franchise offering can be made by us only in a state if we are first registered, excluded, exempted or otherwise qualified to offer franchises in that state, and only if we provide you with an appropriate franchise disclosure document.
