Carvel soft serve ice cream shoppes have been delighting customers for decades. George Tsioflikis owns two Carvel shoppes in Connecticut (Watertown and Naugatuck). Since joining the Carvel system in 1996, Tsioflikis reports steady year-over-year sales growth in his franchises.
We recently spoke with Tsioflikis about franchising with Carvel. “For anyone who wants to be involved in their community and is not afraid to roll up their sleeves, being a Carvel franchise owner can be a fun, lucrative and fulfilling career,” he said. Read on to find out what else he had to say.
How long have you owned a franchise?
I have been a Carvel franchisee for 20 years. There have been a lot of changes over two decades, but this is a brand that I love.
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What were you doing before becoming a franchise owner?
I was an auto mechanic before being introduced to the Carvel brand.
Why did you choose your franchise?
Carvel has a great history and has served generations of families. In fact, as a kid, my favorite ice cream was a hot fudge sundae with chocolate ice cream from Carvel. I would ride my bike and visit my local shoppe every week. That’s what I love most about being a franchisee — putting a smile on people’s faces every day.
Where did you research or get advice about starting a franchise?
I talked with other franchisees about their experiences.
How much did you spend before your doors were officially opened?
I spent about $120,000. We have a new shoppe design that has since been introduced, and the total initial investment for a full-service Carvel shoppe ranges from $250,000 to $380,000 and varies based on location, square footage and equipment package.
What is your secret to success?
Hard work, providing great service and great products at a fair price to local consumers.
What would you do differently if you had to do it all over?
Nothing at all.
Where do you see your business in five years?
I plan to keep growing and open more shoppes in the area.
What advice do you have for others looking to own a franchise?
Carvel is a fun brand with a lot of history, but it takes hard work, a very clean shoppe, good products and a good price to succeed in this business.
Would you recommend others be franchisees? Why?
Yes, I would recommend others to franchise with the brand. Carvel provides you with the fundamentals to help you succeed and our soft serve is the best in the world. We’ve really adapted with the times and we are leading the pack with flavor innovation, such as our premium branded flavors like Nutella and Reese’s.
Where can people get more information on Carvel franchise opportunities?
Visit the website here.
Where can people find Carvel on social media?
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