16 Handles
Food: Quick-Service Restaurants → Frozen Desserts: Ice Cream
Swirl Your Way to Success
Own a self-serve frozen yogurt franchise with high margins and low labor.
Average Unit Volume$983,903from the brand’s own disclosures
Total units37from the brand’s own disclosures
Brand overview
Founded in 2008, 16 Handles redefined the frozen yogurt experience with a self-serve model offering unmatched flavor and innovation. In 2022, multi-unit franchisee Neil Hershman acquired the company and became CEO, leading a national resurgence of the brand. Today, the concept remains a neighborhood favorite, letting guests customize their cups with rotating flavors and over 50 premium toppings, including dairy-free and vegan oat milk options.
Availability
We are currently accepting inquiries in these states:
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Why choose
The 16 Handles model delivers a nearly 74% gross margin after food costs, highlighting strong efficiency and profitability potential. The brand is operator-led by a CEO who ran his own successful locations, ensuring support is based on real-world experience. The self-serve format creates a low-labor operation that is simple to manage and built for growth. Franchisees benefit from a streamlined supply chain, national buying power, and negotiated discounts with tech and delivery partners. An upscale, community-focused store environment with comfortable seating encourages longer visits and repeat neighborhood traffic.
Revenue Potential & Investment Requirements
Average Unit Volume
$983,903
The average unit volume (AUV) for the top 50% of stores was $983,903 in gross sales, with the top store reaching $2,120,516. The top 25% of stores averaged $1,166,920 in gross sales. These figures represent stores open for the full 2024 calendar year (see Item 19, 2025 FDD).
- Total investment
- $249,500–$656,000
- Franchise fee
- $30,000
- Cash Required
- $150,000
- Net worth
- $500,000
Growth Trends
Training & support
Franchisees and their managers attend a full week of hands-on training at a successful location. A one-week on-site pre-opening support period is provided, where the corporate team helps train your staff and prepare for a successful grand opening. Ongoing support includes access to an exclusive operations manual, an online brand portal, proprietary tools, and continuous marketing, technology, and product development guidance.
Ideal candidate
We are seeking individuals with a minimum net worth of $500,000 and $150,000 in liquid assets who are passionate about becoming hands-on, community-focused operators. The brand values franchisees who want to play an active role in grassroots community marketing and hospitality to build loyal neighborhood connections.