Written By: Khushboo Verma

Cream & Fudge, a premium participant in India's developing artisanal ice cream business, has over 50 locations in key cities.  India's ice cream market was worth ₹22,400 crore in 2025, and it is expected to rise by 15% every year. The Cream & Fudge franchise is therefore a wonderful option for anyone looking to launch a branded dessert company.

This piece breaks down the Cream & fudge franchise investment structure, business model, and whether it makes sense for 2026.

What Makes Cream & Fudge Different

Customers pick their ice cream base, and trained staff blend it on a chilled marble slab along with selected toppings like nuts, fresh fruits, candy pieces, cookies, and fudge.

The brand's signature features include:

• 100% vegetarian menu: All flavors are vegetarian, broadening customer appeal
• ISO 9001-2008 certification: All outlets meet the highest international standards
• Combination store option: Ability to merge multiple GFA brands in one outlet for revenue optimization

The theatrical preparation process creates an experiential element that drives repeat visits and social media visibility. 

Cream & Fudge Franchise Investment Breakdown

The cream and fudge franchise, for the year 2026, calls for an investment of between ₹12 lakh and ₹25 lakh, contingent upon the store format and the location. 

Investment Structure by Store Format

Detailed Cost Components

• Franchise fee: ₹3-5 lakh (one-time)
• Interior design and branding: ₹5-8 lakh
• Equipment (marble stone stations, freezers, display units): ₹4-7 lakh
• Initial inventory and packaging: ₹1.5-2.5 lakh
• POS system and software: ₹1-1.5 lakh
• Working capital buffer: ₹2-4 lakh

The investment does not include real estate costs, rent deposits, or property brokerage. Miscellaneous licenses (FSSAI, trade license, GST registration) are additional and borne by the franchisee.

The GFA Advantage: Support Infrastructure

Global Franchise Architects (GFA) specializes in franchising unique food service brands worldwide. Cream & Fudge franchisees receive operational support from GFA's team of 200+ trained professionals across operations, training, and supply chain management.

Franchisee Support Includes:

• Site selection assistance with location feasibility analysis
• Complete store design and brand-compliant interior planning
• Technical and operational training through the Cream & Fudge Academy
• Detailed SOPs for product preparation and customer service
• Centralized supply chain for consistent ingredient quality
• Ready-to-use marketing campaigns and graphic design services
• Continuous quality audits and operational guidance
• Integrated POS and inventory management systems

Revenue Model and Unit Economics

The Cream & fudge franchise generates revenue through multiple channels, creating diversified income streams that reduce dependency on any single customer segment.

Primary Revenue Channels:

• Walk-in customers (dine-in and takeaway)
• Delivery platform orders (Swiggy, Zomato, Dunzo)
• Ice cream pints for home consumption
• Premium ice cream cakes (occasion-based sales)
• Potential supermarket distribution (select locations)

Estimated Monthly Economics (Standard Parlour - 350 sq. ft.)

Premium ice cream brands typically operate with gross margins between 60-75% due to strong pricing power. However, maintaining these margins requires strict inventory management to minimize wastage. Most well-positioned Cream & Fudge franchises achieve break-even within 18-24 months, faster than typical full-service restaurant formats.

Who Cream & Fudge Seeks in Franchisees

Cream & Fudge evaluates potential franchisees based on the "3 Cs" framework:

1. Capital: Sufficient investment funds (₹12-25 lakh depending on format) plus working capital buffer for 3-6 months.
2. Commitment: Active daily involvement and long-term dedication to quality service. The brand prioritizes entrepreneurs ready to personally manage operations during the critical first 12-18 months.
3. Competence: Building an efficient operational team. Prior food industry experience helps but isn't required. Cream & Fudge's structured training academy develops the needed management and execution capabilities.

Where Cream & Fudge Outlets Perform Best

Cream & Fudge operates in several Indian states, primarily in South and East.  Existing outlet locations include Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Vellore, Guntur, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kochi, Mysore, Salem, Kakinada, Vijayawada, Erode, Pondicherry, Mumbai, and Gujarat.

Ideal Location Characteristics for 2026:

• College and university neighborhoods (high footfall from 18-35 age group)
• High streets with evening traffic (peak sales occur between 6 PM-10 PM)
• Mall food courts benefiting from anchor store traffic
• Residential catchments for family-oriented weekend consumption
• Areas with entertainment hubs (cinemas, gaming zones, cafes)

Market Context: Premium Ice Cream Growth in India

India's ice cream consumption patterns have shifted over the past decade. Per capita consumption reached 1.6 litres in 2024, up from just 400 ml in 2011. While this remains below developed markets like New Zealand (28.4 litres) and USA (20+ litres), the growth trajectory indicates untapped potential.

Key Market Drivers Benefiting Cream & Fudge:

• Rising disposable incomes in urban households increasingly allocated to experiential dining
• Premiumization trend with consumers paying 40-60% more for differentiated flavors
• Year-round consumption replacing seasonal patterns in metros and Tier 1 cities
• Quick commerce integration (Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto) contributing over 10% of premium ice cream sales

The Indian ice cream market is projected to reach ₹50,000 crore by 2028, growing from ₹30,000 crore in 2023. Within this growth, premium and organized segments are expanding faster than the overall market.

Realistic Assessment of Risks

Cream & Fudge franchisees must assess business and market risks like any other food franchise.

Market-Related Risks:

• Local dessert shop saturation in certain micro-markets
• Seasonal demand fluctuations in Tier 2/3 cities

Operational Risks:

• Staff retention challenges, especially trained marble stone preparation staff
• Inventory wastage if demand forecasting is not managed properly
• Dependence on delivery platforms (20-30% commission rates impact margins)
• Rent escalations in premium locations

Financial Risks:

• Break-even may extend beyond 24 months in locations with lower-than-projected footfall
• Working capital requirements during initial ramp-up period (first 6 months typically operate below capacity)

These risks are manageable with conservative financial planning, realistic revenue projections, and active owner involvement. Maintaining a working capital buffer of 4-6 months is recommended.

ROI Expectations and Payback Timeline

Franchisee data shows this model generates good profits with quicker payback than full-service restaurants.

These numbers apply once your outlet is fully up and running, which typically takes about 6 months. These projections assume well-selected locations, consistent operational execution, and active marketing. First-year revenues are typically 60-70% of stabilized run rate as brand awareness builds locally.

Who Should Invest in Cream & Fudge in 2026

Ideal Investor Profiles:

• First-time franchise investors seeking a proven system with training support
• Entrepreneurs with ₹12-25 lakh investment capacity plus working capital
• Owners looking for evening-focused business (allows other morning/afternoon commitments)
• Investors targeting urban or high-footfall Tier 1/2 city locations
• Those interested in experiential retail rather than commodity product sales

Less Suitable For:

• Purely passive investors expecting zero operational involvement
• Those seeking break-even within 12 months
• Areas with extreme seasonal weather patterns affecting footfall

Final Verdict: Is Cream & Fudge Worth It for 2026?

The Cream & fudge franchise presents a balanced entry point into India's growing premium ice cream market. With 50+ operational outlets, established brand recognition, and franchisor support through GFA, it offers lower risk than independent ventures while maintaining reasonable investment requirements.

Key Strengths:

• Proven 20-year business model with accessible ₹12-25 lakh investment range
• Experiential marble stone concept creates differentiation and repeat visits
• Strong franchisor support infrastructure with over 200 professionals
• Multiple revenue streams and flexible store formats

Considerations:

• Requires active involvement with 18-24 month break-even timeline
• Success heavily dependent on location quality and daily execution
• Competition increasing in premium dessert segment

Cream & Fudge offers a clear path into India's branded ice cream business for people who realise that food retail requires daily hands-on work and earnings develop over time. Success ultimately depends on three factors: selecting the right location, maintaining operational discipline, and staying committed through the establishment phase.

Cream & Fudge has a proven system for India's ice cream sector, with expanding demand, premiumization, and 15+ cities.

Disclaimer: The brands mentioned in this blog are the recommendations provided by the author. FranchiseBAZAR does not claim to work with these brands / represent them / or are associated with them in any manner. Investors and prospective franchisees are to do their own due diligence before investing in any franchise business at their own risk and discretion. FranchiseBAZAR or its Directors disclaim any liability or risks arising out of any transactions that may take place due to the information provided in this blog.