Chicago’s Ice Cream Shop

After 96 years of slicing ice cream, you’d think we might’ve had enough, but we’re just getting started.

We’ve perfected the art of a truly immersive dessert experience and cherish our place as the spark of joy for so many. Now, we just need you to join us. 

We’ve crafted a fast-casual model that has all of the perfect ingredients, just like our namesake five-flavor ice cream cone. Potential for high-growth regardless of the economic environment, highly scalable, and significant margins – everything about Rainbow Cone is one-of-a-kind. 

Reasons to invest

Key Financial Performance
  • Proven business model that has survived through every economic environment over the past 95+ years
  • Exclusive first-mover location opportunities for early buy-in
  • Turn-key menu and operations with relatively low operating costs
  • Highly scalable business model with low investment and potential for excellent margins
  • Company growth during COVID including the opening of new locations
  • Diverse menu offering with one-of-a-kind menu offerings and state-of-the-art advanced ordering technologies
  • Broad spectrum of menu price points to appeal to a wide audience with built-in upsells and add-ons
  • Operational efficiency for drive-thru, carry-out, delivery, and dine-in experiences
Our Menu: More than just Ice Cream
  • Diverse, ice cream-forward dessert menu with a sweet treat for everyone
  • World-famous Rainbow Cone stacked with slices of chocolate, strawberry, palmer house, pistachio, and orange sherbert
  • Full ice cream menu with dozens of classic flavors along with seasonal and special offerings
  • Toppings, add-ons, and extras galore to increase order size and deliver desserts exactly the way the customer wants
  • High-value ice cream sundaes, shakes, and splits for those with a sweet tooth and an appetite
  • Unique, mini-donut offering with out-of-this-world toppings and flavors like banana Nutella and cookies & cream
  • Large-gathering items like our Rainbow Cone Cakes and Rainbow Cone Cake Rolls bring our most famous thing to life in new and exciting ways
  • Catering and party-friendly items like our customizable ice cream cone and taster cup packs
Dessert + Tech = a Beautiful Thing

Our investment in technology is everything to us – ensuring a consistent experience for our customers while enabling our staff to operate efficiently. As we continue to grow, we’re committed to partnering with industry-leading technology providers to ensure top-quality experiences for every Rainbow Cone customer.

Our Key Technological Support

  • The Hub, an intranet powered by Franconnect
  • Operations Management Software powered by Compeat/Restaurant 365
  • E-Learning Management System
  • Paradox, an AI Recruiting and Recruitment Management tool
  • Tattle, a Guest Experience Platform
Marketing Support from Rainbow Cone

Franchisees receive customized marketing plans to support market launches with continued efforts to maintain awareness as the business scales. Our dedicated field marketing team works alongside franchisees to support local marketing efforts and design programming to suit the nuances of their local market, helping to drive brand loyalty, foot traffic, and online ordering in stores.

Current efforts include but are not limited to:

  • Robust loyalty and rewards program
  • Point-of-purchase materials
  • Direct mail and print media advertising
  • Consistent and high-volume PR campaigns
  • Customized email marketing
  • Social media content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok
  • Digital advertising efforts on social media, Google search, Youtube and more
Training and Education with Rainbow Cone

Franchisees are an extension of our family, and we support them as such. Initial training includes up to a five-week program that includes up to two weeks of positional training and up to three weeks of leadership and management training. Additionally, we will provide up to four weeks of on-site opening assistance with consistent e-learning and webinars available to all franchise owners.

More Support & Feedback

  • Franchise Business Consultant Support
  • Robust Secret Shopper and Feedback Program
  • Quality Assurance Program emphasizing food safety and operational excellence

The Process to Rainbow Cone Ownership

1

Get to know us

Review the information provided on this site, check out RainbowCone.com, and stop by one of our Chicagoland locations

2

Get in touch

Complete the inquiry form and let us know why you want to join the family. One of our franchise representatives will reach out to discuss the Rainbow Cone franchise opportunity and learn more about your qualifications. If you meet our qualification standards, we’ll send you a full application.

3

Franchise Application and Interview

Submit a franchise application, and our VP of Franchising will interview you remotely to learn about your qualifications, resume, and interest to see if you’re the right fit for our organization.

4

A Look Behind the Scenes

If you’re qualified to move forward, we’ll begin due diligence and send you our Franchise Disclosure Document. This is where we’ll be digging into the business and the franchise model together. At this stage, our goal is to create alignment and answer all questions you might have in order to proceed.

5

Get Down to Business

Next, you’ll be asked to submit your business and financial verification, as well as background authorization. Then, we’ll meet with you to discuss your development plans in greater detail. At this point, we can discuss the franchise agreement terms, including opening timelines and territories, and any other relevant financial considerations to help move the franchise forward.

6

Show Off Your Plan

Now it’s time to show us why you’re the right partner for the job. We’ll sit down and review your plan detailing ownership structure and how you plan to make Rainbow Cone a success in your market.

7

Corporate Visit

Next, we’ll invite you to our corporate offices to experience the Rainbow Cone culture up-close and personal. You’ll meet our founders, our leadership, and the team that will be behind you every step of the way. This day is about getting to know each other. Joining a family of our size is no easy feat, so let’s make sure we do it right!

8

Review, Decision, and Approval

With everything in hand, our Franchise Review Committee will comb through every detail of your proposed plan. Once approved, you’ll receive a Franchise Agreement for review and signature, and once signed, it’s time to bring Rainbow Cone to a community near you!

None of the communications made through this website should be construed as an offer to sell any The Original Rainbow Cone franchise in, nor is any such communication directed to, the residents of any jurisdiction requiring registration of the franchise before it is offered and sold in that jurisdiction. No The Original Rainbow Cone franchise will be sold to any resident of any such jurisdiction until the offering has been exempted from the requirements of, or duly registered in and declared effective by, such jurisdiction and the required Franchise Disclosure Document has been delivered to the prospective franchisee before the sale in compliance with applicable law. If you have any questions concerning the registration status of The Original Rainbow Cone franchisees in your jurisdiction, please contact Joe Buonavolanto III at franchising@rainbowcone.com or 708-749-2333 ext 264

Ready to Own Your Own Rainbow Cone Franchise?

We’re looking for successful business owners like you to help expand our brand through franchising. Check out opportunities that are currently on the table!

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