How did you get into the ice cream industry?
We started to pay attention to our diet and focused on eating more natural, wholesome ingredients, only to find that no ice cream met our new lifestyle’s criteria. Ice cream has always been our favorite dessert choice, so we aimed to craft it the traditional way: homemade, with simple, natural ingredients. After many hours spent refining ice cream recipes and sourcing the finest quality milk and cream, we achieved our unique creamy texture and delicious flavors. As we started sharing our ice cream with friends and family, their enthusiastic feedback further validated that we had something special worth sharing with a larger audience. That’s when The Screamery came to life.
What’s New in the Business or in the Screamery Franchise Model?
We’re a new franchise and excited to share our business model with fellow entrepreneurs enthusiastic about tapping into the thriving ice cream market. We have simplified our franchise model by offering a streamlined supply chain to help ease the task of inventory/product management. The strong reputation we’ve built for our brand in both the Tucson and Phoenix markets has kept our loyal customers returning and new customers coming.
Where do you See Opportunities or Challenges for the Franchise/Business Moving Forward?
The Screamery customers appreciate the time and effort it takes to offer real home-made ice cream without any added stabilizers or fillers. We even handmake our mix-ins, which is very rare in today’s ice cream market. The quality and taste of our ice cream sells itself. To ensure the consistency of our superior quality, we’ll continue to manufacture the ice cream while our Screamery franchisees provide a fun and welcoming atmosphere to sell it. Everyone, including the happy customers, will benefit. There is a unique opportunity to invest in The Screamery franchise model as we expand into new markets. Our main challenge will be securing top locations that align with our brand’s image.
What is your Goal for the Screamery Business Moving Forward?
We are passionate about our business concept and want to share “The Screamery way” with as many people as possible. We are convinced that franchising our brand is the best way to achieve this. We want to continue to be a part of the growing farm-to-table social movement in the food and beverage industry by providing the purest ice cream we can.
Talk to us About Training and Support, How Do You Deliver?
Our franchisees will receive hands-on training to ensure consistency across our franchise network. We’ll provide early training at our corporate office and at the franchise location during all phases of opening. We have meticulously created logs, templates, spreadsheets, and other tools to help with all the daily operations. We’ve spent years developing our standard operating procedures and have it down to a science, which will help alleviate some of the early growing pains that many small businesses experience.
Your most difficult moment at the Franchise Business?
Our franchise planning started in late 2019. The most challenging phase in our franchise business was suspending all expansion strategies and then redirecting our efforts to navigate the tough challenges that many small businesses faced in 2020-21. With smart business decisions and careful money planning, we got through it and came back even stronger and well-prepared to resume our franchise plans.
Define your Franchise Model for Screamery:
Training and Support Model?
We have a comprehensive training program for new franchise owners, this is a family owned and operated business which we take personally and care deeply about. We want to make sure that people understand our culture, our vision and are on board with how to operate the business effectively and deliver the same kind of customer experience that we’ve become known for.
What does Your Franchisee Do in the Business Every Day?
If the franchisee is an owner/operator, then daily management could consist of a variety of responsibilities listed below.
Management Responsibilities
Staff
- Interview/hire/train employees
- Continued management of customer service procedures, portion control, and food safety standards
- Perform & supervise sales procedures
- Ensure side work duties performed. Issue disciplinary write ups for failure to complete work
Scheduling
- Maintain schedule app to current shifts daily
- Assist coverage of shifts. You are responsible to cover shift if no one available
- Track attendance of employees
- Edit time punches on time clock
- Manage and schedule defrost times approx. every 2 to 3 weeks
Inventory
- Manage inventory tracking. Report any shortages outside of delivery days
- Place paper order on Monday if needed. Paper inventory on Tuesday/Wednesday
Money/Sales/Labor
- Deposit cash sales on Mondays & Fridays A.M.
- Get change (coin and bills) on Friday as needed
- Run reports and analyze percentages and financials
Operations
- Clean Hot Fudge Machine once per week
- Change and maintain chalk board as needed
- Lemon oil all wood top surfaces as needed
- Stay on top of expiration dates
- Manage refrigerator and freezer organization and temps
- Post Wifi Password for employees and understand restart procedures
- Print/manage farmhouse photos
- Incidence Reporting MUST be current and maintained
- Track and run incentive contest
- Maintain positive environment
Who is the Ideal Franchise Candidate?
An ideal franchisee for The Screamery would be someone with business experience, passion, and commitment. An enthusiastic entrepreneur with leadership skills capable of managing a team and driving the business forward. Someone with strong interpersonal skills to interact with the customers, employees, and management at the franchisor headquarters. The franchisee should have strong financial credibility and be dedicated to the brand and its values, coupled with enthusiasm for the ice cream industry.
What Goals Do You Have for the Franchise Model in the Future?
Focusing our initial efforts on the Phoenix Metropolitan will allow us to better understand the local dynamics in addition to developing a strong franchise support system which will serve as a blueprint for expansion into new markets. The Screamery will remain relevant and responsive to consumer preferences and changing market trends as we continue to introduce our cream across the globe.
For more information on the Screamery Ice Cream Franchise System, visit our corporate site: