A Hot Industry for the Coolest Treat
The Timing Has Never Been Cooler to Join the Frozen Dessert Industry
Frozen treats and desserts are having a moment, and Jeremiah's Italian Ice has spent three decades getting ready. The frozen dessert industry is picking up speed nationwide, and the story behind this shift is worth a closer look.
Guests want indulgence built for an ordinary afternoon, not a special occasion, and franchise buyers are noticing the same shift. Across the country, franchising remains one of the most resilient paths to business ownership, and dessert concepts with loyal followings are pulling ahead of the pack amid rising consumer demand.
The Frozen Dessert Industry at a Glance
Though the QSR landscape represents a trillion-dollar frontier, Jeremiah's Italian Ice has secured a distinct niche that continues to grow.
- Frozen Dessert Market: The U.S. frozen dessert industry is worth $24.2 billion in 2026.
- Category Growth: The category is on pace to reach $49.1 billion by 2033, a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%.
- Ice Cream Store Growth: The U.S. ice cream store industry has grown to $7.4 billion, expanding at an annualized rate of 5.8% over the past five years.
The Market Keeps Getting Hotter
Frozen treats are riding a category-wide upswing, and the momentum shows no sign of slowing. This growth favors the same parts of the country where Jeremiah's has room to grow.
- The South Central U.S. is the fastest-growing region in the frozen dessert category, expanding by 13.4% a year.
- Franchising in the Southeast and Southwest is also outpacing the rest of the country, per the IFA's 2026 Franchising Economic Outlook.
Growth like this does not happen without a reason. Guests keep coming back for something cold and delicious, with a uniqueness that is worth the trip, and Jeremiah's has been growing our brand in some of the fastest-growing corners of the map.
Want to see where Jeremiah's Italian Ice is available? Explore our open markets!
Why the Craving Won't Cool Off
Guests are not choosing frozen treats out of habit anymore. They are choosing quality, convenience, and a distinct menu worth the stop, and the shift is reshaping the whole category.
- A third of consumers are drawn to new, unique flavors, and Gen Z values creativity in food one and a half times more than Baby Boomers.
- Guests seeking something lighter are turning to other frozen treats, like Italian ice, as alternatives to traditional ice cream.
- Guests increasingly want to build their own treat, and customizable toppings and flavor combinations are becoming one of the biggest draws in the category.
- Convenience, from mobile ordering to quick pickup, keeps frozen treats part of everyday routines instead of special occasions, with online sales growing at 15% a year.
Every one of these shifts points to the same idea. Guests want indulgence paired with a distinctive flavor experience, and Jeremiah's has always lived at this intersection.
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Spend Less to Get StartedFewer ingredients, less equipment, and a lower cost to start than most QSRs.
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Own the Entire BlockEngaged owners build more than a business. You’ll build a neighborhood hub.
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A Delicious Frozen MenuA diverse frozen menu means more traffic, more upsells, and loyal regulars.
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Built for Any OwnerSimpler than full-service food concepts, with systems that scale quickly.
Jeremiah’s Ice
Hear from franchisees who brought the Culture of Cool to their communities.
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“I enjoy owning a Jeremiah's Italian Ice because it gives me the opportunity to build a business that's fun, family friendly, and genuinely connected to the community. There's something rewarding about creating a place where people come to celebrate, make memories, and leave happier than when they walked in. Being able to grow a business while having that kind of impact on people is what makes being a Jeremiah's franchise owner special to me.”- Cody Loveland, LSU North Gate & East Baton Rouge, LA
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“Owning a Jeremiah's Italian Ice franchise means so much more to me than simply owning a business. I love seeing familiar faces walk through our doors, watching families create memories together and knowing that our team can make someone's day a little brighter. The most rewarding part of ownership is building relationships with our team and community while creating something I can be proud of for years to come!”- Vann Spears, Albemarle & Locust, NC
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“I genuinely enjoy being a Jeremiah's Italian Ice franchisee because it allows me to build a thriving business while bringing joy to my community! The vibrant environment makes each day fun and highly rewarding. It's an incredible feeling to lead a business where the product and culture create so many smiles!”- Steven Dubberly, Keller & Saginaw, TX
How We're Meeting This Demand
None of this calls for reinventing anything. Jeremiah's built its model around exactly what today's guests and today's owners are looking for, years before the trend had a name.
- Jelati® and Italian Ice lead a menu built on bold, ever-changing Jeremiah's Flavorites®, with more than 40 flavor combinations already in rotation.
- Our signature Italian Ice offers a light yet smooth alternative to traditional ice cream (many flavors that are dairy-free) without asking guests to compromise on flavor or texture.
- Jelatis are fully customizable, letting guests build their own treat, combining Italian Ice, Soft Ice Cream, and fun Layer Ins into a special treat all their own.
- The J-List Loyalty App brings mobile ordering, pickup, and delivery right to guests' phones, keeping a Sweet Spot visit both convenient and craveable.
As the market continues to grow, the only missing piece is an owner ready to bring the Culture of Cool to a new neighborhood. Think you may be a good fit?
Your Italian Ice
Franchise Opportunity
The frozen dessert industry keeps climbing, and Jeremiah's has spent three decades building a brand ready for the ride. The next chapter features an owner eager to sign as the industry continues to gain momentum.
Live Life to the Coolest. Request your franchise information today.
