For Carousel’s Soft Serve Icery franchisees Brandon Worley and Mike Micochero, the decision to expand their current investment to include the Tampa region was an easy one. In just over half a year spent serving the Sarasota market, the pair have already experienced the huge business advantage of operating a minimal-risk, high-return storefront-on-wheels. While a Carousel’s truck generally provides a ROI within the first year or two—a rarity among similar business investments—Brandon explains their truck has already exceeded these projections:

“As we have seen, the return on investment can be significant. We are currently averaging north of $20,000 in revenue per month, per truck. Which means we will be profitable in year one. Also, once our trucks are paid off in 6 years we will be able to generate an additional $36,000 per year. Based on the success we’ve experienced so far and the relatively low-risk investment, we have already bought a second market. Between the two markets we now have the opportunity to operate 21 trucks.”

Though the Sarasota market is certainly strong, Brandon and Mike’s rapid and substantial success has less to do with their specific region, and more to do with the unique profit potential of operating a portable, storefront-on-wheels. While brick-and-mortar retail depends on a neighborhood’s economic vitality to draw foot traffic, Carousel’s franchisees are free to use their trucks to court entire populations of cities and their surrounding areas—in the case of Brandon and Mike’s current Sarasota market, that equates to nearly 1 million people, and with the addition of Tampa, nearly 3 million more potential customers!

Best of all, a Carousel’s truck investment allows franchisees to build their own substantial personalized asset—instead of having to deal with wear-and-tear renovations that come along with acquiring risky secondhand investment commodities, like real estate. This makes for not only a safer investment, but one that can be launched for less. As a beneficiary of a fresh investment build, Brandon explains ” We were looking for a simple, turnkey business that required a low initial investment, that created immediate returns, helped others and offered opportunity for growth. It was an easy decision for us, and for entrepreneurs looking to create their own destiny, Carousel’s offers an excellent way to launch your own business with little money down. “

Like most Carousel’s owners, Brandon and Mike have found enormous business within local sports communities, a pattern sure to continue in their new market—between the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays, the United Soccer League’s Tampa Bay Rowdies and XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers, you’ve got a dynasty demand for an Icery! Add six MLB training camps, five minor league baseball teams also, large youth sporting venues, college sports, booming cities and miles of gorgeous beaches, and it becomes obvious, the only Carousel’s business limits are the hours in the day!

For the pair however, it wasn’t just access to the right climate and crowds, but also the character of the Carousel’s organization that sealed the deal—we are dedicated to engaging the fabric of every community, while serving up fun, family and refreshment with every swirl of our family secret recipe. Our franchisees’ most popular lanes of commerce always include relationships with local schools, businesses and churches, groups who are also perfect partners for our Carousel’s Cares philanthropy programs. Brandon says so far he and Mike have found that “when you can mix a unique product like Carousel’s that is simple, original and loved by everyone, with a brand that embraces giving back to the local community, led by passionate and experienced businesspeople—you really have a strong recipe for success.”

For first-time and experienced business owners alike, launching a new venture during a pandemic can be stressful, though Brandon says that from his very first inquiry regarding franchise details, the Carousel’s staff helped ease all concerns. “The experience was outstanding. From the moment we engaged with Carousel’s about franchising we were hooked. Corey and his team are so passionate about the business and the brand. They go the extra mile to make sure people feel educated and informed about the company and the opportunity.”

Brandon also says knowing they could offer a time-proven treat that checks all the best boxes—tasty, healthy and fun—eased any remaining worries. To adapt an old saying, the proof is in the Soft-Serve Ice! And beyond classic taste, Carousel’s also offers an all-ages and multiple-diets appeal—our soft serve ice is super creamy, yet dairy-free, with less fat than rich, milk-based soft serves.

Though this trademark taste is usually enough to earn us a Carousel’s convert, we often hear from owners and customers that their favorite Carousel’s moments involve the general enjoyment of life that surrounds one of our trucks. Brandon and Mike, like most all of our franchise partners, felt a draw to serve their community by fostering such an environment. “We are so excited to be delivering happiness to people everyday,” Brandon says. “It is such a fun and rewarding business when you get to do well by doing good. This will translate into many new jobs created, significant money donated and revenue generated all the while bringing joy and happiness to our customers.”