Any suggestions on how a ice cream shop willl do in dallas? (Frisco: new construction, restaurant)

[jerzstyle00]

I'm interested in becoming an entrepreneur but like most am on a budget.I thought to myself what business would be the least risk as in 'it would work well' with a budget of about 30k-50k.If i had the money i would open up a franchise name like subway but i guess that won't be possible yet.I was thinking an ice cream shop but unsure what would be the total cost.I also thought about Metro PCS phones.Maybe my own sub-shop?Location wise would be on 544 in wylie where all the new construction is happening.Anyone have any thought on this subject or maybe have a suggestion of your own?

[TexasWeatherman]

Originally Posted by jerzstyle00

I'm interested in becoming an entrepreneur but like most am on a budget.I thought to myself what business would be the least risk as in 'it would work well' with a budget of about 30k-50k.If i had the money i would open up a franchise name like subway but i guess that won't be possible yet.I was thinking an ice cream shop but unsure what would be the total cost.I also thought about Metro PCS phones.Maybe my own sub-shop?Location wise would be on 544 in wylie where all the new construction is happening.Anyone have any thought on this subject or maybe have a suggestion of your own?

I recommend putting your 30-50k in savings or an index fund.

[momof2dfw]

Being a bit familiar w/ many of the sub shops I'd say, NO!!!!! Not only, NO but H E L L NO!!!! Do you know how many have sold in the last few years? Had to sell back to the franchise or got taken over by them. Have you seen how dead some of them are while other places are MUCH busier? We have several as customers and trust me........... not the best managed. Of all "food" type businesses that we serve they are THE WORST! They also use less product(s) than any other type "food" based business. Want to know the better ones: Chick-Fil-A is TOPS! And closed on Sunday. But drive by them morning, noon, afternoon, evening the other 6 days ... PACKED!!! They are run very well too. From my side it looks as if the head operation pays all of their bills. So the franchise owner must send in their invoices & statements and payment and they write the check to the vendors. McDonalds would be better than a sub shop of ANY kind. I can't think of any other "food" based franchise business I would own. Dickey's is pretty good as well. As for the ice cream idea.... many Baskin-Robbins franchise owners closed up several years back due to restraints being put on them by the corporation making it totally unprofitable.

[MurphyPl1]

You could search franchises by googling the type or the name of the company. Most companies will have basic franchise information on their website but there are some franchise websites that list all of them in one place.

Your non-borrowed personal resources and your overall net worth will dictate whether or not you can even consider certain franchises. For example, I'm opening a franchise and the franchise fee of $35K was just the tip of the iceberg. It will cost approximately $300K to get the store open.

Now with that said, I know that the Murphy Marketplace has attracted some companies that would like to be a part of the center but don't currently have franchisees. I believe that Steve Ewing with Staubach Retail would be able to connect you with these companies so you could find out more about what types of businesses and investments are there.

PM me if you'd like more info.

[pepper131]

I like Wich Wich - it's always busy at Northpark and it's a much better sandwich than a sub shop. But I'm not familiar with your location - it may/not fit your demographic.

[galore]

I think an ice cream shop can work. If it is in the right location. Like Paciugos in Northpark mall. There's always a line of people when I'm there...

However, it seems that opening up even a tiny place costs many hundred thousands $$$. I'm amazed how expensive starting a business in a mall is. A $50k budget will probably not get you into a prime location.

[momof2dfw]

Wich Wich is good. In malls most of these places do well but they have a "trapped consumer" in many ways that the guy in a strip center does not. As for the location, there is a Baskin-Robbins in Murphy just down the road on 544 down from the Mexican food restaurant. Across the street in the Albertsons center there is a Deli of sorts (the name escapes me at the moment) that serves burgers, blue plate lunch specials, gyros, breakfast, etc. Small but BUSY!!!! I'd visit w/ lots of owners of other franchises before I did ANYTHING! See how they have been for at least 5 years.

[nsumner]

If you really go with an ice cream shop... Sheridan's Frozen Custart is always packed and the closest one is in Frisco and other one in Cedar Hill... It's always a hit and not priced too bad either.

Sheridan's Lattes & Frozen Custard: Franchise Information

Naima

[Lakewooder]

I had a friend who had a few franchise locations. He had to put a camera on the cash register because so many employees were stealing from him.

[MurphyPl1]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

As for the location, there is a Baskin-Robbins in Murphy just down the road on 544 down from the Mexican food restaurant. Across the street in the Albertsons center there is a Deli of sorts (the name escapes me at the moment) that serves burgers, blue plate lunch specials, gyros, breakfast, etc. Small but BUSY!!!! I'd visit w/ lots of owners of other franchises before I did ANYTHING! See how they have been for at least 5 years.

BR is packed regularly. And attracts from west Wylie as well as Murphy.

And the restaurant you are referring to is Deno's. We just got back from there.