Old Mumbai Ice Cream Franchise Cost in India: Franchise Model, ROI, Eligibility Criteria & Steps to Apply

If you love the idea of an ice-cream brand with street-to-store roots, Old Mumbai Ice Cream (sometimes shown as Old Mumbai Dairy / Old Mumbai Ice-Cream) is a tasty proposition. The brand grew out of a kulfi/ice-cream street trade story and has expanded into branded parlours across Maharashtra and beyond. Below is a practical, investor-friendly guide that covers the franchise model, what we do and don’t know about costs, expected ROI, who should apply and the precise steps to approach the brand — with sources so you can verify each claim.

Quick reality check (what you must know first)

• Old Mumbai Ice Cream lists a company site and contact details for franchise enquiries, but its franchise application page currently shows that applications for new franchises are closed — so the brand is selective or temporarily paused for new partners. If you’re serious, you should still contact them because policies can change.

About the brand (short)

Old Mumbai’s story is the classic Indian entrepreneur arc — from a kulfi/ice-cream cart to branded parlours and packaged dairy products. The founder’s journey and the brand’s evolution are profiled in business writeups and local listings; the chain now operates multiple outlets and has extended into related products. That heritage helps with local trust and repeat business.

Franchise model — what to expect

Old Mumbai follows a classic parlour / quick-service retail model: you operate a branded outlet selling scoops, cups, shakes and packaged ice-cream. As with most regional ice-cream franchisors, the brand likely provides:

• Brand usage & store layout guidelines
• Initial training on recipes/preparation and quality control
• Supply chain linkages (milk/cream mixes, premixes, cones & packaging) or at least a recommended supplier list
• Support on launch marketing and possibly merchandising

Because Old Mumbai manages multiple outlets and has a packaged product line, they may prefer partners who can operate at a neighbourhood / city level and follow strict hygiene and refrigeration SOPs. Confirm the exact support package with their franchise team.

Cost — the honest truth (what we could verify)

There is no single official, public line-item franchise cost published on Old Mumbai’s site. The company’s franchise page even indicates applications are closed at the moment — so an official investment brochure may only be shared directly with shortlisted applicants. That means any hard figures you see on third-party sites should be treated as indicative, not contractual.

Indicative investment ranges (industry context)

If you need to budget before contacting the brand, use these realistic ranges based on similar ice-cream parlours and national franchise trends:

• Small kiosk / counter (100–200 sq.ft.) — ballpark: ₹5–15 lakh (fit-out + equipment + initial inventory + deposits).
• Standard parlour (200–400 sq.ft.) — ballpark: ₹15–35 lakh.
• Premium/mall outlet or 2-level parlour: could be ₹30 lakh and up, especially in metros.

National lists of ice-cream franchise opportunities show typical total investments in the ₹15–60 lakh range depending on brand and format — use these numbers as conservative planning guides until Old Mumbai gives you exacts.

Revenue, margins & ROI expectations

Ice-cream parlours generally have high gross margins on products (ice-cream concentrates, toppings, cones are cheap relative to shelf price) but profitability depends on footfall, rent and peak season sales. Typical assumptions for an established regional parlour:

• Gross margins: often strong on scoops/milkshakes; net margin after rent, staff and utilities often ranges from 10–20% depending on location and seasonality.
• Payback timeline: for a well-located small-to-medium parlour you might see 12–24 months in a busy location; slower locations can take longer.
• Seasonality: plan for slower winter months and peak revenue in summer and festival seasons — maintain working capital to cover seasonal swings.

Ask Old Mumbai for sample unit economics from an existing parlour in a city similar to yours — that will give the best indicator of realistic ROI.

Who should apply — ideal franchisee profile

Old Mumbai will likely prefer franchisees who can demonstrate:

• Working capital and ability to fund fit-out, refrigeration and initial inventory.
• Access to good retail locations (high street, neighbourhood hub, food court or mall).
• Operational commitment: daily quality control, staff management and local marketing.
• Familiarity with cold-chain handling (refrigeration, storage).
• Local market knowledge and willingness to follow brand SOPs and quality standards.

Steps to apply (practical and precise)

1. Visit the official site & note the franchise page — even if the form says “closed,” save the contact details.
2. Prepare a short franchise pitch: your profile, proposed city/location, budget range, and proof of funds/lease options.
3. Email & call the brand: Old Mumbai lists a contact email and phone number — oldmumbaidairy@gmail.com / +91 230 2438442 — and has UAE contacts for overseas queries. Ask politely for the franchise brochure or to be put on the waiting list.
4. Request FIM (Franchise Information Memorandum) — this is the official pack showing exact franchise fee, royalty (if any), inventory arrangements and support.
5. Site shortlisting & approval — propose 1–3 sites; the brand will typically do a site assessment (footfall, catchment, rent viability).
6. Agreement, payment & setup — review franchise agreement closely (term, renewal, exit clauses, supply obligations) and seek legal counsel.
7. Training & launch — expect brand training for staff, supply chain onboarding and a brand-guided launch.

Practical tips & red flags

• Red flag: If any party asks for large advance payments before you receive an FIM and a signed agreement, pause and verify.
• Must-do: Insist on an itemised cost sheet that tells you what the franchise fee covers (training, initial stock, store design, support).
• Negotiate: Ask if the brand provides initial raw material bundles or discounted starter inventory — that can reduce early working capital.
• Network: Try to visit existing Old Mumbai outlets and speak with operators about real-world issues (supply, packaging, peak demand).

Final word

Old Mumbai Ice Cream carries a strong hometown story and a growing retail footprint — an attractive proposition for investors who want a regional brand with personality. The key caveat: the brand does not publish a public franchise cost sheet and has marked applications closed, so your first step should be a direct enquiry (email/phone) to request the formal franchise pack and be placed on any waiting list.