Jeremiah's Italian Ice has moved up four spots to No. 375 on the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400, the annual ranking of the largest U.S.-based franchise systems measured by global systemwide sales. The Orlando-based frozen dessert brand placed No. 379 on the same list in 2025, continuing a steady climb since it began franchising in 2019.
What the Ranking Reflects
The Franchise Times Top 400 is compiled through a five-month research and reporting process, making it one of the more rigorous benchmarks of franchise scale and performance across industries. For operators evaluating growth-stage brands, a confirmed rise on that list signals expanding system revenue and franchisee network health — not just unit count. Jeremiah's Italian Ice has built its footprint primarily across the Southern United States, though it is now actively recruiting franchisees in markets nationwide.
"Earning another place on the Franchise Times Top 400 is meaningful because it reflects the continued growth of our system and the work happening every day across the Jeremiah's community," said Michael Keller, CEO of Jeremiah's Italian Ice. Keller emphasized that expansion plans remain focused on long-term brand sustainability and franchisee profitability.
A Strong Year for Recognition
The Franchise Times placement caps a notable stretch of industry acknowledgment for the brand. Jeremiah's ranked No. 211 on Entrepreneur magazine's 2026 Franchise 500®, which scores systems on costs and fees, growth trajectory, franchisee support infrastructure, and financial stability. Separately, data and insights firm Datassential named Jeremiah's "America's Most Unique Restaurant Menu" in its 2026 Datassential 500 Awards, citing consumer ratings for originality and menu innovation.
The menu itself centers on 24 flavors of Italian Ice made fresh daily, Soft Ice Cream, and the brand's signature Jelatis — layered combinations of Italian Ice and Soft Ice Cream. A newer addition, Jelati cakes, extends the format into a take-home dessert occasion, a category that has seen sustained consumer interest across the frozen dessert and foodservice segments.
Franchise Growth Outlook
With more than 175 locations open or in development across the United States, Jeremiah's sits at a scale where system-level infrastructure — training, supply chain, marketing — becomes increasingly important to unit-level economics. For prospective franchisees, the combination of three consecutive national rankings and a differentiated menu positions the brand as a credible option in the fast-growing frozen treat category, which competes for daypart share alongside established QSR dessert programs.
Industry observers tracking franchise expansion across the restaurant sector will note that Jeremiah's growth since launching its franchise program in 2019 has been rapid by most benchmarks — reaching Top 400 status within seven years of franchising. The brand founded in 1996 spent more than two decades as a regional concept before scaling, a path that gave it time to refine operations before opening the system to outside operators.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
