If you are a fan of a ice-cream company with a street-to-store origin, Old Mumbai Ice Cream (sometimes referred to in the form of Old Mumbai Dairy / Old Mumbai Ice-Cream) is a tempting idea. The company was born out of the kulfi/ice cream street trade tale and has grown into brand restaurants across Maharashtra and further. Below is a useful and investor-friendly guide to the franchise model and the things do we know and do not know about the costs and expected ROI, the types of people those who can apply, and exact steps to take when approaching the brand. We’ll also provide the sources you need to confirm every assertion.
Reality check quick (what you need to know before)
- Old Mumbai Ice Cream lists the company’s website as well as the contact information for franchise inquiries However, the franchise application page shows the fact that applications for franchises that are new are no longer accepted which means that the brand is either selective or temporarily shut down for prospective partners. If you’re serious about it, you can still contact the company as policies may change.
about the name (short)
Old Mumbai’s story is a traditional Indian business arc of entrepreneurs — from a kulfi/ice cream cart to brand-name parlours and dairy products that are packaged. The journey of the founder and the development of the brand are covered in local and business writings as well as listings. The chain currently has several outlets, and has also expanded into other related products. The history of the brand helps local trust and makes for repeat business.
Model of Franchise — how can you expect
Old Mumbai is a classic parlour / quick-service retailer model where you run an outlet that is branded and sells shakes, cups, scoops and packaged ice cream. Similar to most regional ice cream franchises, Old Mumbai offers:
- Store layout and brand usage guidelines
- Initial training in recipes/preparation, and quality control
- Linkages to the supply chain (milk/cream mixes concoctions, premixes, cones and packaging) or, at a minimum, an approved list of suppliers
- Marketing support for the launch and perhaps merchandise
Since Old Mumbai manages multiple outlets and also has a packaged product line, they might prefer partners that operate at a neighbourhood or city level, and adhere to strict sanitation as well as refrigeration standards. Check the specific support package with the franchise team.
Cost – the truth (what we could confirm)
There isn’t an officially-issued, public line item franchise cost on the Old Mumbai’s website. The company’s franchise page states that applications are no longer accepted currently and therefore an investment prospectus can only be sent directly to the short-listed applicants. This means that any numbers you find on other websites should be viewed as indicative and not as contractual.
Indicates Investment areas (industry setting)
If you’re looking to set a set aside money prior to contacting the company, you can use these realistic ranges based upon similar ice cream parlours as well as national franchise trends:
- Small counter or kiosk (100-200 sq.ft.) Ballpark: 5-15 lakh (fit-out and equipment, plus initial inventory plus deposits).
- Standard Parlour (200-400 sq.ft.) — ballpark: Rs15-35 lakh.
- Premium/mall outlet, or 2-level parlour It could cost as high as Rs 30 lakh or more particularly in metros.
The national lists of franchises show typical investments of range of Rs15 to 60 lakh range based on the brand and the format. Use these figures as a guideline for planning your budget till Old Mumbai gives you exacts.
Revenue, margins & ROI expectations
Ice-cream parlours typically are able to offer large gross margins on items (ice-cream concentrates cones, toppings, and cones are inexpensive compared to retail prices) however, their profitability is contingent on rent, footfall and the peak season sales. Common assumptions for a reputable regional ice-cream parlour include:
- Margins on gross sales: often strong on milkshakes and scoops. Net margin after the cost of rent, staff and utility costs typically ranges between 10-20 10% dependent on the location and the season.
- Payback timeframe: for a well-located small-to-medium-sized shop, you can expect to be able to see 12–24 months at a busy place and slower ones can be slower.
- The season: prepare for less busy winter days and a peak in revenues during festivals and summer • Maintain working capital in order to be prepared for seasonal fluctuations.
Contact Old Mumbai for sample unit economics of a restaurant in a town similar to yours. This will provide the most accurate indication of a realistic ROI.
What is the best way to applyIdeal profile for a franchisee
Old Mumbai is likely to prefer franchisees who demonstrate:
- Capital working and the capacity to fund fitting-out, refrigeration and first inventory.
- Access to high-quality retail spots (high Street, neighborhood hub mall, food court or high street).
- Operating commitment Daily quality control staff management, local marketing.
- Acquaintance with handling of cold chain (refrigeration storage, refrigeration).
- Knowledge of the local market and willingness to comply with the quality and SOPs of brands as well as quality standards.
Steps to follow (practical and exact)
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- Go to the official website and take note of the page for franchises even if the form states “closed,” save the contact information.
- Create a concise pitch for your franchise including your profile, your proposed city/location, budget range and proof of funding/lease options.
- Email & call the brand: Old Mumbai lists a contact email and phone number — — and has UAE contacts for overseas queries. Request the franchise brochure or be placed on the wait list.
- Demand FIM (Franchise Information Memorandum) — this is the official package that lists the exact franchise fee, royalty (if any) as well as inventory arrangements and other support.
- Site shortlisting & Approval • propose 3 sites and the brand will generally perform a site audit (footfall or rent viability, catchment).
- agreement, payments and setting • review the Franchise agreement thoroughly (term renewal, expiry clauses and obligation to supply) and consult a legal professional.
- Training and launch Expect branding training for staff as well as supply chain onboarding. an event that is guided by brand.
Practical advice and warnings
- Red signal: If any party requests large amounts of advance payment prior to receiving an FIM and an agreement signed be sure to pause and confirm.
- It is essential to: Insist on an expense sheet with an itemized cost that informs how much the fee for franchise will cover (training and initial stock, design and support).
- Discuss: Ask if the brand offers initial raw material bundles or discounts on stock for starters — which can help reduce working capital costs in the early stages.
- Network You can visit the existing Old Mumbai outlets and speak with the operators regarding real-world issues (supply packaging, supply and high demand).
The final word
Old Mumbai Ice Cream carries an authentic local story as well as an expanding retail presence -it is a compelling proposition for investors seeking an authentic regional brand. The most important point to note is that Old Mumbai Ice Cream doesn’t have a publicly available cost of franchise and has marked applications as closed therefore your initial step should be to make a direct inquiry (email/phone) to inquire about the official franchise packet and to be added to any waiting lists.