Bruster’s: Handcrafted Freshness in Every Scoop

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream is a popular U.S.-based ice cream franchise known for its commitment to making premium ice cream fresh at every location, every single day. With a focus on quality and craftsmanship, Bruster’s has built a strong following for its rich, flavorful offerings served in a fun, family-friendly environment.

The company was established on July 13, 1989, by Bruce Reed in the town of Bridgewater, Pennsylvania. Over the years, the brand has expanded steadily while staying true to its roots. Bridgewater continues to serve as the home base for Bruster’s, a testament to the brand’s emphasis on tradition and community-oriented values.

Franchising began in 1993, giving aspiring business owners the chance to share Bruster’s signature desserts with new markets across the country. Each franchise location operates with the same mission: to deliver fresh-made ice cream and superior customer experiences.

Bruster’s menu features an array of delicious choices, including handcrafted ice cream, thick milkshakes, sundaes, custom cakes, frozen custard, and waffle cones. What makes Bruster’s stand out is its on-site production using a proprietary recipe, resulting in exceptionally creamy and flavorful treats that distinguish the brand in the competitive dessert space.

Training

Bruster's Real Ice Cream provides a structured training program to ensure franchisees operate in line with the brand’s standards. These include:

1. Initial Management Training: This is mandatory for the Operating Owner and Manager, who must attend and successfully complete the initial training program conducted at Bruster’s headquarters or another designated location.
2. Brand Management Training: The Manager, the initial General Manager, and the initial Assistant Manager must also attend and complete this program. This training helps instill brand-specific operational knowledge and standards.
3. Ongoing Training: Bruster’s periodically provides ongoing training at times and locations it deems appropriate. This is designed to keep franchisees and their teams up-to-date on operational best practices and system updates.
4. Additional On-Site Training: Franchisees may request extra on-site training beyond the standard programs. If Bruster’s agrees to provide it, the franchisee is responsible for covering current per diem training charges and out-of-pocket expenses.

Territory Protection

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream provides franchisees with a form of territory protection under its Franchise Agreement. During the term of the agreement, the franchisor commits that it will not operate, nor license another party to operate, a Bruster's Store within the area designated as the franchisee's "Protected Territory."

This territory is specifically defined in the Data Addendum to the agreement, ensuring franchisees have a geographical zone where they can operate without direct brand competition.

However, this protection comes with limitations as outlined in Sections 11.17 to 11.19 of the agreement. While the franchisor agrees to restrict direct franchise grants in the protected area, it reserves broad rights for itself and its affiliates.