How to Finance a La Diperie Franchise: Dipped Ice Cream Costs
By Marc Cornella
A La Diperie franchise loan funds a small-format dessert shop built around soft-serve ice cream dipped in dozens of flavored coatings. The brand’s franchise site lists a $25,000 initial franchise fee for a traditional location and total costs of $233,425 to $455,025, which puts it within reach of SBA financing for many first-time owners.
This article explains what La Diperie says it costs to open, how its fees affect cash flow, what its SBA Franchise Directory notes mean, and how lenders evaluate a new or existing shop.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by La Diperie; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s website and disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to lender review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, and buyers should review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant.
La Diperie Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Initial franchise fee: $25,000 for a traditional location, according to La Diperie’s franchise site.
- Total cost to open: $233,425 to $455,025, as stated on the franchise site.
- Royalty and marketing fees: not published on the franchise site; see Item 6 of the current FDD.
- Franchise term: the franchisor’s franchising FAQ, which covers its U.S. franchises, gives a standard term of 10 years.
- System size: the brand reports more than 65 locations across Canada and is now offering franchises in the U.S.
- History: first opened in Montreal in 2013.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S6522, with three notes on franchisor loans, lien position and the lease addendum when real estate is pledged.
What Is La Diperie?
La Diperie opened its first shop in Montreal in 2013 and grew into a chain the company says has more than 65 locations across Canada. The concept is simple and visual: guests choose a vanilla soft-serve cone or cup, pick from more than thirty dip flavors such as s’mores, key lime pie or cheesecake, then add toppings like nuts, candy, cereal or fruit.
U.S. expansion. La Diperie is now offering franchises in the U.S. under the support of its parent company, a multi-brand franchisor. The franchise site lists support with site selection and buildout, marketing, technology including third-party delivery integration, new product development and coaching.
Unit format. The company describes its shops as having a small footprint, minimal equipment and a limited number of employees, and calls the brand one of the most affordable options in the ice cream segment.
How lenders see it. Lenders like a modest project size and a simple menu, but they will note that the brand is newer to the U.S. than to Canada. A dessert concept also has seasonal swings, so lenders focus on the owner’s liquidity and a realistic month-by-month plan.
La Diperie Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. The franchise site lists a $25,000 initial franchise fee for a traditional location. Item 5 of the FDD shows when it is paid, whether any part is refundable and any multi-unit terms.
Real estate and build-out. Most shops are in leased retail space. Build-out covers plumbing, electrical work for soft-serve machines and freezers, counters, finishes and signage. A small footprint helps keep this cost down, though landlord allowances and site conditions vary.
Equipment. Soft-serve machines, dip wells or warmers, freezers and refrigeration, topping stations, a point-of-sale system and smallwares.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening inventory, training travel, grand-opening marketing, deposits, licenses and additional funds for the first months.
Total investment. La Diperie’s franchise site gives total costs of $233,425 to $455,025. The FDD’s Item 7 table breaks that total into line items. Expect categories such as:
- Initial franchise fee
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Soft-serve and refrigeration equipment
- Furniture, fixtures and signage
- Point-of-sale and technology
- Opening inventory and supplies
- Training expenses
- Grand-opening marketing
- Lease deposits, licenses and insurance
- Additional funds for the initial period
Use the current Item 7 figures, not estimates, when you size your loan. Our article on restaurant build-out financing explains how lenders handle construction budgets.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
The franchise site does not publish the royalty or marketing contribution. The franchisor’s FAQ notes that royalty and advertising fees vary by brand and appear in Item 6 of each brand’s FDD. Look there for technology fees, transfer fees and any remodel requirements as well.
How lenders factor these costs in. Royalty and marketing fees are typically charged on gross sales, so they come out before rent, labor, product costs and loan payments. Lenders deduct every fee in their projections and test whether cash flow still covers debt service in the slower months.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
La Diperie does not publish a minimum net worth or liquid capital figure on its franchise site, so ask the franchisor for its current requirements early. The application process runs through the parent company’s franchise application, where you choose the brand you are interested in; after review, the franchisor contacts you about next steps.
Training. The franchise site describes hands-on training in dipped ice cream preparation and operations, in-person product and service training, and ongoing development. The franchisor’s FAQ adds in-store training before opening, an operations manual and five days at its training center in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Lenders will add their own expectations: a cash injection, reserves after closing and relevant management experience. Our guide to how lenders read an FDD explains which disclosures matter most.
Ways to Own a La Diperie
A new shop. As the brand builds its U.S. footprint, most owners will open new locations. Financing covers the fee, build-out, equipment, opening costs and working capital, and lenders underwrite projections. See our franchise start-up financing page.
Buying an existing shop. As U.S. units mature, resales may become available. A lender can then underwrite actual sales, and the franchisor must approve the transfer. Our guide to buying a franchise resale covers the process.
Multiple units. Owners interested in several shops should ask about multi-unit terms in the FDD.
Financing Options for a La Diperie Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because La Diperie is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can combine the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and working capital in one package for an eligible borrower.
SBA 504 loans. An SBA 504 loan fits an owner who buys and occupies a building or finances long-lived equipment. Most La Diperie shops are leased, so this is the exception.
Conventional term loans. A conventional business loan may work for experienced operators with collateral or for multi-unit owners with established cash flow.
Equipment financing. Soft-serve machines, dip stations, freezers and point-of-sale systems can be financed or leased separately. Learn more about restaurant equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Ice cream sales typically rise in warm months and slow in cooler ones, depending on the market. A line of credit helps cover rent and payroll through the off-season. See our restaurant working capital options.
Franchisor relationships. The franchisor’s FAQ says it has partnerships with a number of lending institutions for equipment and construction costs. Check Item 10 of the FDD for any direct franchisor financing.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price on an existing shop. Any seller note would need the senior lender’s approval, is typically subordinate and may be limited by program rules.
SBA Loans for La Diperie Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose franchise agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility, and SBA lenders generally require a listing before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to a franchisee. A listing does not approve any individual borrower.
La Diperie’s listing. La Diperie appears under code S6522 with three notes:
- Franchisor or affiliate loans: if the franchisor or an affiliate offers the applicant a loan, the SBA lender must consider that available financing when deciding whether credit is available elsewhere. In plain English, an SBA loan is meant for borrowers who cannot get reasonable credit from other sources, so a franchisor loan offer is part of that test.
- Lien position: the lender must secure the appropriate lien position on all collateral under SBA rules. Expect liens on equipment and other business assets.
- Lease addendum: when the real estate where the shop operates will secure the SBA loan, the brand’s Lease Addendum to Lease Agreement may not be executed. This applies when the owner, or a related entity, owns the property and pledges it.
The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change; a La Diperie franchise loan will usually be far smaller. Our SBA loan calculator gives rough payment estimates for planning only, not an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate a La Diperie Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and expect a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. A cash injection plus reserves for the off-season strengthens a La Diperie franchise loan request.
Industry and management experience. Food service, retail or team management experience counts. Completing the franchisor’s training helps too.
Business plan and projections. Show sales by month to reflect seasonality, product and labor costs, rent and all franchise fees. Because the brand is newer in the U.S., build from your trade area, foot traffic and nearby demand.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders check the term, renewal and transfer rights, remodel obligations and Item 10.
Site and lease. A lease that runs at least as long as the loan, with renewal options, reassures lenders.
Equipment and Seasonality
The soft-serve machine and dip stations are the core of the shop. Equipment is a meaningful share of the investment and also the main business collateral, so ask the franchisor for the required equipment package and maintenance needs. Financing equipment separately can preserve cash for build-out and working capital.
Seasonality affects cash flow in many markets. Plan for higher staffing and inventory in summer and leaner months in winter, and keep a working capital cushion.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
As La Diperie grows in the U.S., owners who succeed with one shop may add more. Lenders usually want the first shop stable before financing a second, then underwrite combined cash flow. Read about multi-unit franchise financing to see how lenders approach growth.
Real-World Scenarios
A first-time owner in a busy shopping center. A former retail manager signs a lease near family attractions and uses an SBA 7(a) loan for the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and working capital.
An existing restaurant operator adding a dessert brand. An operator with other food businesses opens a La Diperie shop with a conventional loan supported by existing cash flow.
An owner who owns the building. A buyer purchases a small retail building, pledges it for an SBA loan and, as the SBA note requires, does not sign the brand’s lease addendum for that property.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sizing the loan without the current FDD’s Item 6 and Item 7 figures
- Projecting flat monthly sales for a seasonal dessert concept
- Underestimating build-out in older retail spaces
- Ignoring the SBA note on franchisor loans when comparing financing
- Signing a lease shorter than the loan term
- Leaving too little working capital for the first winter
Read more about restaurant loan mistakes to avoid.
Next Steps to Finance Your La Diperie Franchise
Step 1: Request franchise information. Contact the franchisor, confirm U.S. market availability and ask for the current FDD.
Step 2: Review the FDD. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 3: Find a site. Look for high-traffic retail space and get build-out estimates.
Step 4: Build projections. Model monthly sales, costs and every franchise fee.
Step 5: Speak with a financing specialist. Compare SBA 7(a), equipment financing and conventional options.
Step 6: Apply and close. Submit your loan package with the FDD, lease, projections and personal financial documents.
La Diperie Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a La Diperie franchise cost?
La Diperie’s franchise site lists total costs of $233,425 to $455,025. Item 7 of the current FDD gives the full breakdown.
What is the La Diperie franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee for a traditional location is $25,000, according to the franchise site.
What royalty does La Diperie charge?
The franchise site does not publish it. Item 6 of the current FDD lists the royalty, marketing fee and other ongoing fees.
How much liquid capital or net worth do I need?
La Diperie does not publish these figures on its franchise site. Ask the franchisor for current requirements, and expect lenders to look for a cash injection plus reserves.
Is La Diperie eligible for SBA loans?
Yes. La Diperie is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S6522, with notes on franchisor loans, lien position and the lease addendum when real estate is pledged.
Does La Diperie offer financing?
The franchisor says it has partnerships with lending institutions for equipment and construction costs. Item 10 of the FDD describes any direct financing, and any franchisor loan offer is considered in the SBA’s credit elsewhere review.
Can I finance the equipment separately?
Yes. Soft-serve machines, freezers and point-of-sale systems can often be financed or leased apart from the main loan.
How long is the franchise term?
The franchisor’s franchising FAQ gives a standard term of 10 years. Confirm the La Diperie term and renewal rights in Item 17 of the current FDD.
Can a first-time owner get a La Diperie franchise loan?
Yes, it is possible. A modest project size helps, and lenders will weigh your credit, liquidity, management experience and plan.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Review Item 19 of the current FDD to see whether it includes financial performance representations, and build projections from your own market.
Final Thoughts
La Diperie pairs a small footprint with a published cost range that suits SBA financing. Owners who read the FDD carefully, plan for seasonality and understand the brand’s SBA notes will be ready to open a shop with confidence.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital for established brands. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
