Suppose it is a hot evening in Bangalore or Chennai. Families are taking a walk, college students are spending time together, and couples are seeking a nice place to end their date. Where do they often head? To most people in South India, the solution is the Ice Cream Sundae Zone, commonly known as Polar Bear.
The Indian ice cream market is performing well. The Indian ice cream business is reported to be valued at more than INR 43,000 Crores by the year 2027. We no longer serve vanilla scoops; we serve sundaes, loaded toppings, and Instagram-worthy desserts.
A Polar Bear franchise could be on your list in case you want to have a taste of (or even a spoonful of) this sweet business. It is a high-end brand that is neither too expensive nor out of reach for the Indian middle-income.
We shall deconstruct all this in this guide: how much the Polar Bear Franchise Cost, where the money goes, and whether it makes you a profitable business.
About Polar Bear
Polar Bear is not an ordinary ice cream store; it identifies itself as an Ice Cream Sundae Zone. They sell ordinary scoops, but their primary focus is sundaes. Currently operates 160+ outlets across 25+ cities in India. They want you to experience eating ice cream, whether it is the Death by Chocolate (DBC) or a fruit-based confection like Dry Fruit Special or Lychee Sundae. They also sell ice cream cakes, thick milkshakes and sandwich ice creams.
Who Owns a Polar Bear?
Honeycomb Retail India Pvt. Ltd. is the owner of the brand. Kishore Kumar Rai started it in Bengaluru in 2008. It began as a single-store outlet but has grown into a chain of over 100 stores in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. It is a simple philosophy that makes them successful: 100,000 Dairy, 100,000 Vegetarian and 100,000 Hygiene.
Their franchise system includes a mix of company-owned (COCO) and franchise-owned/franchise-operated (FOFO) outlets, with the majority being FOFO according to the official site. To become a franchisee, Polar Bear expects an active owner–operator: they want someone who is hands-on, manages daily operations, follows brand standards, and commits time and effort.
Competitor Analysis
How does it compare with the large players?
- Baskin-Robbins: Premium, global brand. The cost of a franchise is more expensive (approximately 30-50 Lakhs), and the prices of the products are high.
- Naturals Ice Cream: It focuses solely on fruit flavours. There is strong demand, and it is challenging to secure a franchise.
- Cream Bell / Kwality Wall: They operate mainly small kiosks or pushcarts. Reduced investment, reduced profit margins per customer compared to a parlour model.
- Polar bear: Strikes the sweet spot. It offers a higher-quality parlour experience, like Baskin-Robbins, at an affordable cost for students and families.
Polar Bear Franchise Cost in 2026
Let’s talk about the Polar Bear Franchise Cost. Polar Bear outlet is not a cheap franchise business to open, yet it is highly valuable. The investment will make your store look high-quality and will attract paying customers.
| Cost Component | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | ₹5–10 Lakh |
| Interiors & Store Setup | ₹10–30 Lakh |
| Equipment & Machinery | ₹5–15 Lakh |
| Licenses & Registrations | ₹0.3–1 Lakh |
| Initial Inventory & Misc Setup | ₹1–5 Lakh |
| Total Investment | ₹30–50 Lakh (typical for a standard outlet) |
Franchise Fee
The single upfront cost of using the brand name.
- Franchise Fee: 5-10 Lakhs (GST is 18 10 Lakhs). This is non‑refundable.
Estimated Total Investment
The overall Polar Bear Franchise Cost to open the doors is between 30 Lakhs and 50 Lakhs, depending on the city and store size.
Location-Wise Cost Estimates.
- Metro Cities (Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad): These are likely to cost more like 40-50 Lakhs. There is a higher rental rate, and you need a better interior to compete.
- Tier-2 Cities (Mysore, Coimbatore, Vizag): In these cities, you can probably establish a good store for 30-35 Lakhs, since rent and labour are cheap.
Monthly Costs and Operating Costs
Once open, the Polar Bear Franchise Cost is running. You have to sell several sundaes to offset these before you can make a profit.
Rent
The biggest chunk. Ideally, rent should be between 40,000 and 80,000 for a 300-500 sq. ft. standard store. The higher you pay, the lower the profit margin.
Staff Salaries
The number of employees required will be 3-4 (store manager and scoopers/servers).
- Estimated Cost: ₹40,000–₹60,000 per month.
Electricity
Freezers run 24/7. It is an ice-cream store; you cannot switch off the electricity!
- Estimated Cost: ₹15,000–₹25,000 per month.
Royalty Fee
Most franchises will charge a monthly royalty on the sales you make.
- Polar Bear Royalty: 5 to 7 per cent of net sales, usually. Check the agreement.
5. Cost of Goods (Inventory)
The company sells you stocks of ice cream. In the case of food, the food cost is typically 40 or 45 per cent of your selling price.
Profitability: Is it Worth It?
The one million-dollar question. Can you make money?
- The Benefit: Ice cream is a high-margin product. Ice cream can be stored in the refrigerator and has a long shelf life, unlike vegetables, which rot in a restaurant. Wastage is very low.
- Gross Margin: On Sunday, you sold one sundae at $200, and the food cost was about $80-90. Your gross profit is approximately 50 -55%.
- Net Profit: A successful outlet will have a net profit margin of 20 -25% after rent, salary, electricity and royalty.
ROI (Return on Investment)
You will break even in 18-24 months if your store performs well (sales of 6-8 Lakhs per month) and you recover your initial investment of 40 Lakhs.
How to Start a Polar Bear Franchise
The roadmap is as follows: You are now ready to go.
What They Require from You (as Franchisee)
- Typical outlet formats are parlour-style shops of around 250–500 sq ft; for high-footfall or flagship locations, larger formats up to 700–1000 sq ft may be considered.
- Must be on the ground floor. The best places are high street (busy markets) or malls. A spacious parking area is a massive advantage to families.
- You must provide evidence as to whether you have the needed capital of 30-50 Lakhs.
- Be a hands-on owner-operator, willing to invest time and effort daily.
- Commit to following their systems, brand standards, hygiene protocols, and operational guidelines strictly.
- Have strong leadership, team management, and people management skills.
- Possess adequate capital to cover setup, inventory, working capital, and the ability to manage finances responsibly.
- Be ready for a long-term commitment, prioritising consistency, quality, and customer satisfaction over quick gains.
Application Process
- Go to the Website: Click on the official Polar Bear website (polarbear.co.in) and locate the section of the “Franchise” section.
- Complete the Form: Fill in your information (Name, City, Budget, Proposed Location).
- Screening: The firm team will invite you to a discussion on your background. They prefer active owners, not passive investors.
- Site Visit: A company representative will visit your proposed shop location to verify feasibility (footfall, competition).
- Agreement: After the Franchise is approved, you sign the Franchise Agreement and pay the Franchise Fee.
- Installation: The firm assists in store design, employee training, and supply chain installation. This usually takes 45‑60 days.
Is the Polar Bear Franchise Worth Investing?
We will consider the advantages and disadvantages dispassionately.
Why YES:
- Good Regional Brand: Polar bear is a household name in South India. There is no need to struggle to describe yourself.
- Product Innovation: They continuously introduce new flavours (such as Jackfruit in summer or Plum Cake ice cream in winter), which encourage customers to return.
- Support System: They will train your employees very well on how to make those complicated sundaes to perfection.
- Vegetarian Proposal: 100 per cent veg will appeal to a vast family segment in India.
Why NO (Risks):
- Seasonality: The sale of ice cream may decrease by 30-40 per cent during monsoon and deep winter. You must deal with cash flow during the lean season.
- Competition: There is now an ice cream parlour on every corner. You have to be in an excellent position to triumph.
Final Verdict:
Owning a shop in a high-traffic residential neighbourhood in Bangalore, Mysore, or Chennai, or having the capacity to rent one, a Polar Bear franchise is a good and secure investment. It is not as risky as creating your own brand, since the Sundae Zone concept has already been proven.
Conclusion
Franchising Polar Bear is not only a business of selling scoops of vanilla and chocolate, but it is a business of selling happiness. You can venture into a clean, easy-to-run (no complicated cooking) business with an investment of about 40 Lakhs, and everyone loves Chinese.
The price may seem high for a dessert shop, but keep in mind that you are buying a high brand image that will enable you to charge higher prices. When you are financially prepared and able to rent a place where families can be together, this “cool” business can get you some of the very hot returns.
FAQs
What is the Polar bear franchise fee?
The franchise fee is approximately 5 Lakhs (including GST). This is a single, non-refundable fee.
How much space do I need for a store?
It must be at least 250 -300 sq. ft. of carpet space, ideally on the ground floor of a high-footfall street.
Do Polar bears sell in North India?
At the moment, they prevail in South India (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu). Their website should tell you whether they are expanding elsewhere.
What is the profit margin of the Polar Bear franchise?
The net profit margin that you may expect after all the monthly operational expenses are deducted is about 20-25%.
