Chicago’s Ice Cream Shop

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

After 98 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.

The Path to Ownership

01

Introductory Call

Schedule a call with our Franchise Development team to discuss the following:
• Territory of Interest
• Business Experience
• Financial Requirements
• Initial Investment Ranges
• Brand Information

NEXT STEPSShould you meet our initial qualifications, we will invite you to submit your Franchise Application.

02

Application Review

Our Franchise Development will reach out to schedule a call to review your application.​

NEXT STEPS: If you meet our qualification standards, we’ll send you a formal application.

03

Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)​

Once you have received the FDD and have acknowledged Item 23 receipt, review and compile your thoughts to review with the Franchise Development Team and Executive Vice President.​

NEXT STEPSSchedule a call with Operations and Training leaders.

04

Franchise Disclosure Document Review

After you’ve received and reviewed the Franchise Disclosure Document, we will schedule a video call to review and answer any questions you may have.

05

Franchise Leadership Call (90 Minutes)

Present your group’s strategy to operate the restaurant and/or ice cream shop. Share your plan with our Operations and Training leaders, including:
• Who will be trained in our University courses
• Who will run the day-to-day operation
• How your organization will lead above-restaurant disciplines (Operations, HR, Accounting, Marketing, etc.)
• How will you grow the business, implement local marketing initiatives and more
• Our Operations and Training leaders will also answer your specific questions

NEXT STEPSSubmit the following information to our Franchise Selection Committee:

• Business Plan
• Bio for each member of the proposed Franchise Entity
• BoeFly Financial Verification
• Background Checks

06

Join The Team Day

Visit us in Chicago to meet our founders, leadership team and tour corporate locations.

NEXT STEPSAwait a decision from our Franchise Selection Committee.

07

Execute Legal Agreements

Submit the following information for legal agreements:
• Ownership Entity Documents
• Bank Account Information

NEXT STEPSSign agreements and wire initial Franchise Fee & Training Deposit.

This document should not be construed as an offer to sell any Buona or Rainbow Cone franchise. No franchise will be sold to any resident of any 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 the applicable law. Each Franchisee candidate is subject to a comprehensive review of qualification criteria as determined by Franchisor and formal approval of a Franchisee application by Franchisor in its sole discretion.

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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