Bingsu — the popular Korean shaved-ice dessert topped with fruits, syrups, condensed milk, and unique Asian flavors — has become a major trend in the U.S. food and dessert industry. With the rise of Korean cafés, K-pop culture, and Asian fusion dining, many entrepreneurs are exploring Bingsu franchise opportunities as a low-risk, high-demand, Instagram-friendly business.
Whether you’re planning to start a dessert shop, expand your café portfolio, or open a Korean-inspired concept, this guide covers everything you need to know about a Bingsu franchise: cost, investment, profit margin, eligibility, requirements, and the complete step-by-step process.
🍧 What Is a Bingsu Franchise?
A Bingsu franchise is a dessert café or kiosk that specializes in Korean shaved-ice desserts along with beverages, bubble teas, waffles, and snack add-ons.
Most Bingsu brands follow a similar business model:
- Low kitchen space required
- Minimal cooking operations
- High visual appeal (Instagram-worthy desserts)
- Strong appeal among youth & families
- Year-round footfall due to café-style menu
Popular examples in the U.S. include Korean dessert cafés offering bingsu as a signature product as part of their menu.
💰 Bingsu Franchise Cost (USA – 2026 Estimates)
The total investment varies based on the brand, location, and store format.
Below is the average cost range across U.S. dessert franchises offering Bingsu or similar Asian dessert menus.
1️⃣ Kiosk / Small Counter (100–250 sq ft)
| Cost Component | Estimated Amount |
| Franchise Fee | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Equipment (ice shavers, chillers, display counters) | $20,000 – $35,000 |
| Setup & Interiors | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Signage & Branding | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Total Investment | $55,000 – $90,000 |
2️⃣ Full Café Model (600–1,200 sq ft)
| Cost Component | Estimated Amount |
| Franchise Fee | $25,000 – $40,000 |
| Buildout & Interiors | $40,000 – $75,000 |
| Equipment | $35,000 – $55,000 |
| Furniture (tables, chairs, décor) | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Marketing/Launch Cost | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Total Investment | $120,000 – $200,000 |
📦 Franchise Fee, Royalty & Ongoing Charges
| Fee Type | Typical Range |
| Franchise Fee | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% – 7% of gross sales |
| Marketing Fee | 1% – 2% |
| Contract Term | 5–10 years |
Note: Exact fees vary by brand. Always confirm in the franchisor’s current FDD.
📈 Bingsu Franchise Profit Margin
Bingsu has high margins compared to many other desserts due to:
✔ Low food cost
✔ Fast preparation time
✔ Dessert premium pricing
✔ High upsell potential (add-ons, drinks, bubble tea)
Average Profit Potential
| Model | Monthly Sales | Net Profit Margin | Monthly Net Profit |
| Kiosk | $15,000 – $30,000 | 18% – 25% | $3,000 – $6,500 |
| Full Café | $30,000 – $60,000 | 20% – 28% | $6,000 – $14,000 |
Break-Even Period
- Kiosk: 10–16 months
- Café: 14–20 months
🍧 Menu Items Usually Offered in a Bingsu Franchise
Typical Bingsu franchise menus include:
Signature Bingsu
- Mango Bingsu
- Strawberry Bingsu
- Matcha Bingsu
- Oreo/Chocolate Bingsu
- Red Bean (Patbingsu)
Drinks
- Bubble tea
- Smoothies
- Iced milk teas
- Asian specialty drinks
Desserts
- Waffles
- Crepes
- Korean toast
- Ice creams & soft serves
This wide menu helps attract diverse customer groups.
🎁 Support Provided by Most Bingsu Franchises
A reputable Bingsu franchisor typically provides:
✔ Training Support
- Dessert preparation
- Barista training
- Store operations
- Hygiene & food safety
- POS training
✔ Setup & Launch Support
- Site approval
- Interior design
- Equipment installation
- Pre-opening marketing
- Grand launch assistance
✔ Operational Support
- Vendor & ingredient supply chain
- Marketing materials
- Branding & seasonal campaigns
- R&D for new menu items
📝 Eligibility & Requirements
1️⃣ Financial Requirements
- Minimum net worth: $150,000+
- Liquid capital: $50,000 – $70,000
- Good credit score
- Ability to manage or hire staff
2️⃣ Location Requirements
| Model | Space Required |
| Kiosk | 100–250 sq ft |
| Café | 600–1,200 sq ft |
Ideal locations:
✔ Malls
✔ College areas
✔ High-traffic plazas
✔ Tourist zones
✔ Near bubble tea shops & Asian restaurants
📄 Documents Needed
- Identity proof
- Financial statements
- Bank statements
- Business plan (if required)
- Lease agreement / LOI
- U.S. business entity registration documents
📍 How to Apply for a Bingsu Franchise
Step-by-Step Process
- Visit the franchisor’s official website and submit the franchise inquiry form.
- Discuss your location and investment budget with the franchise team.
- Receive the FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document) and review all fees.
- Attend a Discovery Day or virtual meeting.
- Secure your location and sign the franchise agreement.
- Pay franchise fees.
- Begin the store buildout & equipment installation.
- Attend initial training.
- Launch with franchisor’s marketing support.
⭐ Is a Bingsu Franchise a Good Investment?
Yes — if you want a low-to-medium investment dessert concept with:
✔ High visual appeal
✔ Strong demand among younger demographics
✔ Low food costs & good margins
✔ Simple operations
✔ Year-round sales potential
A Bingsu franchise is ideal for:
- Entrepreneurs entering the food business
- Café owners expanding their dessert menu
- Investors targeting malls or busy urban markets
However, success depends on location quality, local demographics, and operational efficiency.
📌 Final Verdict
The Bingsu franchise model offers a profitable opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the specialty dessert and Asian café market. With moderate investment, strong customer demand, appealing menu items, and scalable setups (kiosk or café), it can be a rewarding business in the U.S. foodservice industry.
Before investing, always compare multiple Bingsu brands, review their FDD, and evaluate actual store performance to make a well-informed decision.
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