India’s ice cream sector has rapidly transformed into a thriving seasonal business and industry. This growth is supported by rising incomes, spending habits, and climate change. Additionally, scorching summers and an increasing demand from urban areas, coupled with improved transportation cold chains, are making India’s ice cream franchise business attractive for new ventures. This growth is particularly appealing for new entrepreneurs or those interested in franchise-based distribution and manufacturing models.
Top 10 Ice Cream Franchise Businesses
In this blog, we delve into the ice cream franchise market in India, specifically highlighting the top 10 franchises that have the highest growth potential. Additionally, we delve into market research, growth potential in the sector, and a brief overview of the manufacturing process for MSMEs and entrepreneurs.
1. Natural’s Ice Cream
Naturals is an Indian ice cream franchise that has a unique niche in the industry for its handcrafted fruit ice creams. Naturals is very appealing to urban customers who focus more on clean-label foods. With the use of fresh fruits and milk, the brand can market itself as premium. Franchise owners looking for Naturals will be able to capitalize on demand, especially in tier-1 metros and premium retail locations. They will appreciate the emphasis on the use of natural ingredients, regional flavors, and product differentiation.
2. Amul Ice Cream (GCMMF)
The Amul brand stands for trust, quality, and industry reach, especially when considering ice creams and dairy products in India. Amul Ice Cream, which falls under the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), has a franchise model that is suited for scaling businesses. Because of Amul’s recognition, there is a strong patronage in both urban and rural areas. There is also beneficial institutional support and structured facilitation of logistics and wide popularity so this is a good starting point for people interested in distribution-focused manufacturing or cold storage facilities.
Related: Start a Profitable Ice Cream Franchise Business in India
3. Kwality Wall’s (Hindustan Unilever)
Kwality Wall’s is part of Hindustan Unilever, and it leverages the international operational reach while maintaining the marketing expertise and deep understanding of the local waters. The product line, from the ice cream family pack to impulse purchases, caters for a wide array of segments. There is strong advertising and the brand has been well-known for generations, which allows easy access to the franchise model. Entrepreneurs with a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) focus will gain from the systematic franchise model, easy access to franchise-grade manufacturing facilities, and expertise in retail execution.
4. Vadilal
Vadilal is one of the oldest ice cream shops in India and has been able to maintain its nostalgic reputation while remaining in touch with modern trends. Vadilal’s product range includes traditional items like kulfi and ice cream cones, as well as modern sundaes and tub ice creams. The company has a well-established network of cold chain distribution in retail outlets. For modern-day entrepreneurs interested in investing in a brand with history and its modern-day demand, the Vadilal franchise has well-established backend support, regional brand loyalty, recall value, and strong franchise support.
5. Mother Dairy Ice Cream
Mother Dairy is one of the leading ice cream brands in North India. It is well known for its dairy products, which helps its reputation and popularity. In the dairy segment, the company has been known to focus on innovation and diversification with the introduction of sugar-free and high protein versions, which helps in brand recall and trust. The franchise partners benefit from the lack… in brand reputation.
6. Cream Bell and Hatsun Agro
Cream Bell and Hatsun Agro (which manages the Arun Ice Creams brand) illustrate the evolving wave of regional industry players with national aspirations. Both brands have established a foothold in the market through retail expansion and innovation. Their ice cream parlors and extensive dealer networks, along with customer-friendly packaging and brand promotion, offer scalable models for South and West Indian entrepreneurs aiming to establish localized ice cream manufacturing or supply units with franchise support.
7. Nandini (Karnataka Milk Federation)
Though relatively new to the ice cream sector, Nandini has quickly gained regional prominence. This brand is operated by the Karnataka Milk Federation, a cooperative that has expanded the offering to include over 50 flavors, with the first flagship parlor opened in Bengaluru in 2024. Because of the cooperative structure, it has ready access to good quality milk along with strong regional loyalty which provides good franchise opportunities. This offers a model for entrepreneurs wishing to operate in regional or state-level markets along with government-supported infrastructure.
Related: 50 Successful MSME Business Ideas in India (2025 Edition)
8. Artisanal and Heritage Ice Cream Brands
The culinary diversity of India enables room for regional or artisanal ice cream brands to flourish. Countless local businesses focus on traditional kulfis, innovative fusion flavors, or even reimagined heritage sweets served as frozen desserts. While such brands cater to niche markets, they enjoy high profitability and strong customer loyalty. Entrepreneurs considering small to medium-scale franchises in tier 2 and 3 cities stand to gain in this segment by providing culturally relevant, handcrafted products marketed as local or hyperlocal brands.
9. Freeze-Dried Ice Cream (Emerging Segment)
A new wave of innovation offers to change the way consumption and distribution of ice cream products take place. Freeze-dried ice cream (where frozen desserts are altered into crunchy and shelf-stable cubes through cold dehydration) is expanding quickly throughout the state of Gujarat and other regions of India. The products are also suitable for vegetarians and are ideal for warm climates with poor refrigeration. Micro-manufacturing units that are producing 400–500 kg per day are already gaining traction. There is room to explore this niche for more innovative and scalable manufacturers.
10. Ice Cream Brands that are Vegan and Health-Conscious
Plant-based, low-sugar, and fortified ice creams are gaining traction among health-conscious and vegan consumers. There is growing acceptance of soy, almond, and coconut milk ice creams among fitness enthusiasts and the lactose intolerant. Although this area is newly emerging, it offers an opportunity for industrial entrepreneurs wishing to break into an oversaturated market. Franchise models in the category tend to have strong consumer loyalty and brand equity with pricing power, though these models often have strict controls on sourcing, labelling, and ingredient transparency.
Market Forecast and Sector Growth
The Indian ice cream market is forecasted to grow aggressively in the next five years. The industry valued at ₹268 billion in 2024 is expected to grow to ₹1,078 billion by 2033, a CAGR of close to 16.7%. A number of research agencies estimate annual growth of 13% to 16% in certain regions and subcategories, showcasing strong growth potential.
The sustained growth for the industry is underpinned by the lengthening of summers, increasing disposable income, changing eating habits, and the growth of refrigeration and cold chain infrastructure in smaller towns. There is also enhanced demand among urban consumers for unique and premium flavors and diet-based products. This is a boon to innovation in new product development.
Franchise businesses that can ensure product consistency, availability, and quick delivery are increasingly popular as ice cream brands expand their reach through e-commerce and app-based services.
Beginning an Entrepreneurial Venture in Ice Cream Franchising
Franchise model businesses in the ice cream sector should consider the basic manufacturing process as an outline to follow for streamlined operations.
A crucial step in the process entails selecting the raw materials. In the case of ice cream, these ingredients include milk, cream, milk powder, and sugar, along with stabilizers. These ingredients undergo blending, and to ensure uniformity and microbial safety, they are pasteurized. After pasteurization, the mixture requires rapid cooling and refrigeration to age. This process improves the structure and creaminess of the final product.
Once the mixture matures, it can have flavouring and emulsifiers added. The mixture is then frozen, which in modern plants occurs in continuous freezers. These freezers help to aerate the mixture and improve its texture and volume. After the product is partially frozen, it can be shaped into cones, tubs, cups, or bars, depending on the product line. The final step is storing the product in controlled, deep-freezer temperatures until it is ready for distribution.
The process of freeze-drying begins with flash-freezing the product and then gently dehydrating it under low pressure. This results in a crunchy, shelf-stable version of the product. It is now being used for travel-friendly products and is attracting attention from small-scale innovators and exporters.
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Why This Sector Appeals to Industrial Entrepreneurs
The ice cream sector presents a rare combination of scalability, seasonality, and innovation. For entrepreneurs with manufacturing capabilities, franchises offer brand alignment, backend support, and access to well-developed distribution systems. The presence of both mass-market and premium niches allows for strategic positioning based on location and consumer demographics.
In addition, ice cream manufacturing requires manageable infrastructure compared to other food processing industries. With the rise in cold chain logistics, urban retail formats, and D2C (direct-to-consumer) channels, franchise partners now have multiple routes to market. Furthermore, this is a sector where product differentiation—flavour, texture, packaging—can drive significant customer loyalty, offering startups opportunities to innovate within a trusted franchise ecosystem.
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About NPCS (Niir Project Consultancy Services)
Niir Project Consultancy Services (NPCS) provides Market Survey-cum-Detailed Techno-Economic Feasibility Reports for industrial and manufacturing sectors, including food processing. Their reports cover essential areas like manufacturing process, raw materials, plant layout, and financial projections. NPCS supports entrepreneurs in evaluating the feasibility of setting up new industries, offering guidance from concept to execution.
Conclusion
India’s ice cream franchise landscape is as diverse as its flavours. Whether you’re looking to align with a legacy brand like Amul or explore the frontier of freeze-dried innovation, there’s no shortage of opportunities. As the sector continues to grow, entrepreneurs who combine smart manufacturing with brand partnerships will be best positioned to succeed.
Choosing the right franchise is not just about popularity—it’s about aligning with your operational strengths, market understanding, and long-term vision. With sound research, strong execution, and reliable support, the ice cream business can offer much more than seasonal profits—it can be a sustainable industrial venture for the next generation.
