Naturals Ice Cream Franchise Cost in India

Naturals Ice Cream is one of India’s most loved premium ice-cream brands. Founded in 1984, it began with a small shop in Mumbai and gradually grew to become an iconic name — known for its real-fruit flavours, natural ingredients, and loyal customer base. With increasing demand for artisanal ice cream and dessert parlours across the country, many entrepreneurs are now asking: How much does it cost to open a Naturals Ice Cream outlet?

In this article, we break down the real investment required, cost structure, space needs, profit potential, and whether opening a Naturals franchise could be a good choice for you.

About the Naturals Ice Cream Brand

Naturals Ice Cream is owned by Kamaths Ourtimes Ice Creams Pvt. Ltd.  The brand is known for its emphasis on natural ingredients — using fresh fruits, milk, and minimal artificial additives — with a menu that changes seasonally to offer fresh fruit flavours along with classic ice-creams.  Its USP (unique selling point) lies in high-quality, premium ice-cream appeal that attracts families, youth, and dessert lovers across income segments willing to pay for better flavor and freshness.

Is Naturals a Franchise or Company-Owned Model?

Naturals does offer partnership / franchise opportunities — prospective entrepreneurs can apply for franchise on its official website.  As per the latest publicly available info, Naturals currently states that there is no franchise fee or deposit required.  But the company also notes that this may change in future when they formalize a fee/royalty model.

Total Naturals Ice Cream Franchise Cost in India

Most industry-wide sources estimate that you need about ₹12 lakh to ₹20 lakh to start a small to medium Naturals Ice Cream outlet (typically 200–500 sq. ft.) in a moderately priced location.
 For larger or more premium outlets (with better interiors, larger area, seating space), the cost may go higher depending on location, fittings, and equipment.

Naturals Ice Cream Franchise Cost Breakdown

Here is a typical breakdown of costs for a standard Naturals outlet:

• Franchise / Brand Fee: Currently NIL, though may be introduced later.
• Store Interior & Fit-Out (counters, flooring, walls, décor): part of total investment in small setups under ₹20 lakh.
• Equipment & Machinery (freezers, cold storage, display units, serving counters): included in the same investment band.
• Initial Inventory / Ice-cream stock / packaging: small inventory cost is part of the setup.
• Working Capital & Miscellaneous (staff, utilities, licence, initial marketing): included under the overall investment estimate.

Space & Location Requirement

Naturals outlets typically require around 200 to 500 sq. ft. of shop area — suitable for small-format parlour or takeaway outlet models.  The ideal location would be a busy market, mall, main street, or high-footfall residential-commercial area. Easy accessibility, visibility, and good pedestrian traffic can significantly impact performance.

Naturals Ice Cream Franchise Profit Margin & ROI

According to some estimates based on typical sales and costs for a standard outlet:

• Monthly Revenue (for a well-performing shop): can range around ₹6.6 lakh — with direct cost and expenses — giving a gross margin close to 42%.
• After accounting for staff, rent, utilities, and other overheads — net profit margin may be around 19%.

Based on these numbers, a small-to-medium Naturals outlet may break-even within about 12 to 18 months, depending on location, customer volume and cost control.

Naturals Ice Cream Franchise Royalty & Ongoing Charges

At present, Naturals does not charge a franchise fee or recurring royalty — which lowers the entry barrier significantly.  However, they mention that these charges may be introduced in the future — so it’s wise to confirm during official application.  Day-to-day costs the franchise will bear include rent, electricity (especially cold storage), staffing, refilling stocks, and maintenance.

Support Provided by Naturals Ice Cream

Naturals offers these supports to franchise partners:

• Brand name and established reputation with loyal customer base.
• Supply chain support — centralized ice-cream manufacturing and distribution to maintain quality and consistency.
• Guidance for store layout, equipment placement and proper servicing standards.
  
• Training for staff and operational procedures to keep product quality and hygiene consistent.
  

However, they retain the right to approve new franchisees, and not all applications may be accepted (especially in already saturated cities).

Who Should Invest in a Naturals Ice Cream Franchise?

A Naturals franchise may suit you if:

• You have investment capital around ₹12–20 lakh (or a bit more for larger shop).
• You can secure a small to medium retail space (200–500 sq. ft.) in a busy area with good foot traffic.
• You are willing to actively manage daily operations (since ice-cream business needs attention to freshness, stock rotation, and customer service).
• You seek a low-to-mid investment food business rather than a high-capital chain or corporate-level outlet.
• You believe in maintaining consistent quality and cleanliness, as ice-cream business success depends heavily on repeat customers and brand trust.

Risks & Challenges to Consider

Even though the entry cost is modest, a few challenges remain:

• Naturals currently does not guarantee what the future policy on franchise fees/royalties will be — this might change business economics.
• Ice-cream business depends on refrigeration and cold storage — high electricity bills, equipment maintenance, and occasional spoilage risk.
• Demand can be seasonal — hot summers lead to good sales, but monsoon or winter may see lower footfall depending on location.
• Competition from local dessert parlours, small ice-cream shops, or other branded players can affect business if location and quality are not top.
• Quality control, hygiene, and consistent supply — any lapse can hurt brand perception.

How to Apply for a Naturals Ice Cream Franchise in India

To apply:

1. Visit the official website of Naturals Ice Cream and go to their “Franchise Queries” page.
2. Fill in the enquiry form: include your personal details, proposed shop location, space size, and your business profile.
3. Wait for the company’s response. Naturals does not use external agents — only official applications are valid.
4. If approved, proceed with lease/rent agreement, shop layout, interiors, and brand standard compliance — then begin operations.

Conclusion

Naturals Ice Cream offers one of the more affordable and promising ice-cream parlour franchise options in India. With a setup cost around ₹12 lakh to ₹20 lakh for small-to-medium outlets and potentially higher for larger stores, it’s accessible to many medium-scale entrepreneurs.
Strong brand recognition, centralized supply, and rising demand for natural-flavour ice cream give it a solid market chance. But success depends greatly on location choice, operational discipline, managing refrigeration needs, and consistent quality.
If you are ready to invest modestly and work actively, a Naturals franchise could be a sweet and rewarding business — especially in cities or localities with high customer density and dessert demand.