In Eastern Europe a type of soft-serve ice cream exists that’s unique to the rest of the world. They have rotisserie-grilled dough cones with various toppings and Crispy Cones has brought this concept to the US. Jeremy and Kaitlyn Carlson pitched their product on Shark Tank and got a deal with Barbara Corcoran. Today, Crispy Cones is worth an estimated $2 million.
Jeremy and Kaitlyn Carlson
The married couple reside in Rexburg, Idaho and both went to Brigham Young University. Jeremy later transferred to Utah State University and finished his education there.
The entrepreneurs are members of the Mormon Church, and Jeremy once served as a missionary for their sect. On the other hand, Kaitlyn spent her early career as a housekeeper, media relations specialist, and photographer.
In 2021, the entrepreneurs opened their second location in Logan, Utah. Local investors then shared their interest in the startup, which led Jeremy and Kaitlyn to start franchising.
Crispy Cones Shark Tank Update
The episode aired in March 2023 and since then business has been booming. Crispy Cones received a huge increase in franchise applications and the deal with Barbara closed a few months after the show. Lifetime sales are now at $2 million as of February 2024.
Crispy Cones has expanded into multiple U.S. states, including Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Florida, Tennessee, and Arkansas, with additional locations in development. The company has also invested in infrastructure, including plans for a headquarters and warehouse operation in Idaho to support franchise growth and distribution.
Franchise costs remain accessible compared to many food concepts. The initial franchise fee starts at $30,000, with discounts for multi-unit operators. Ongoing fees include a 5% royalty and 1% marketing contribution, with financial requirements of approximately $300,000 net worth and $150,000 in liquid assets.
The brand maintains strong local reception, with many locations averaging 4+ star ratings on Yelp, and continues to build awareness through social media. Overall, Crispy Cones is no longer an early-stage novelty it has become a fast-scaling franchise brand following its Shark Tank exposure.
This is why the product has quickly become a local favorite! The business is worth an estimated $2 million. In personal news, Kaitlyn gave birth to a baby girl in April 2023!
Crispy Cones’ Backstory
While on a two-year mission in the Czech Republic, he fell in love with their traditional ice cream served in crispy dough cones. He wanted to bring this ingenious delicacy back home.
When he returned to America, he started planning his business in his dorm room. His then-girlfriend Kaitlyn wanted to help with social media marketing.
The duo launched Crispy Cones with their ice cream truck in 2019. They struggled at first and sold gourmet pastries along with their main product. But eventually, their Czech-inspired frozen dessert became a crowd favorite in Rexburg.
