In 1984, on a warm summer evening in Juhu, Mumbai, Raghunandan Kamath introduced a simple but bold idea in a market filled with artificial flavours—ice cream made using real fruit, fresh milk, and sugar. Starting from a small 200 sq. ft. shop where pav bhaji helped attract customers, he sold just five flavours: Mango, Sitaphal, Strawberry, Chocolate, and Kaju Draksh. That small beginning laid the foundation for what would become Naturals Ice Cream.
Today, Naturals has grown into a ₹380 crore brand and is a pioneer in India’s artisanal ice cream segment. With over 170 outlets across 15 states, the brand continues to expand steadily. India’s ice cream market is also growing fast, expected to reach ₹44,230 crore by 2027 at a CAGR of 16.02%.
In this article, we explore Naturals Ice Cream’s 2026 journey, financial requirements, and Naturals Ice Cream franchise cost.
The Brand Legacy
The legacy of Naturals has been built on the philosophy of “Taste the Original,” a tagline that has been born out of a need to differentiate itself from a plethora of me-too products in the market. Founded by the son of a fruit vendor, the brand has leveraged its expertise in acquiring the best of fresh fruits from across India, from the Alphonso mangoes of Ratnagiri to the tender coconuts of the coast.
Having successfully navigated the Covid-19 pandemic and coming out stronger than ever, the brand has successfully integrated with quick commerce giants such as Blinkit and Zepto, contributing to almost 25% of its sales. Having secured an ISO 22000:2005 certification for its parent company, Kamath’s Our Times Ice Creams Pvt. Ltd., the brand operates a centralised manufacturing unit in Mumbai that churns out 20 tonnes of ice cream daily so that every scoop of ice cream tastes exactly the same in Hyderabad as it does in Mumbai.
Note: As of 2026, Fraudsters are misusing the “Naturals Ice Cream” name to offer fake franchise opportunities. Only apply through the official website (https://naturalicecreams.in/) and avoid responding to unsolicited emails or paying to unverified accounts. All official communications come directly from the company. Report suspicious activity immediately.
2026 Outlook
- Aggressive Network Expansion: The brand is on a mission to expand beyond 200 physical stores across India by the end of 2025 and into 2026, with a strong focus on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities where demand for branded desserts is surging.
- Strategic Cloud Kitchen Partnerships: The brand will continue its partnership with Rebel Foods to expand its footprint through cloud kitchens that will look to penetrate “dark zones” where physical stores may not yet be commercially viable.
- Doubling Production Capacity: To meet rising demand driven by a 16.7% annual market growth rate, Naturals will expand its manufacturing unit in Mumbai to double its current output.
- Quick Commerce Optimisation: As the brand sees 20-25% of its orders come in late at night, it will continue its efforts to optimise packaging and inventory for 10-minute delivery cycles through Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart.
Naturals’ Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
Naturals is not a conventional ice cream brand. That is why it is different in India’s value-oriented dessert market:
- Single-source Manufacturing: No compromise on taste and hygiene is ensured by centralized manufacturing.
- Natural Flavors: No artificial color, no stabilizers or preservatives, just milk, sugar, and fruits.
- Brand Trust: Over 40 years of trust, with repeat customers who refer to their preferred flavors.
- Minimum Wastage: Efficient operations and batch-controlled stock minimize loss to expiry and spillage.
- Low Staff Requirement: Processes are comparatively straightforward in relation to cafes or QSRs and need fewer employees.
These all lead to brand loyalty and also to more efficient operations and avoided overheads.
Naturals Ice Cream Franchise Cost Breakdown 2026
To start a Naturals Ice Cream franchise in India, you will be required to have several Naturals Ice Cream Franchise Cost heads, other than the franchise fee itself. Here is the elaborate explanation:
- Franchise Fee: ₹5 to ₹7 lakh (one-time, non-refundable)
- Outlet Setup & Interiors: ₹20 toYRO ₹25 lakh, depending on where and how complex the decor is
- Equipment and Refrigeration: ₹5 lakh to ₹7 lakh (deep freezers, display cases, etc.)
- Beginning Inventory: ₹2 to ₹3 lakh
- Licensing, Permits & Branding: ₹1 to ₹2 lakh
- Working Capital: ₹3 to ₹5 lakh
- Total Investment Bracket: ₹36 lakh to ₹49 lakh
Compared to other ice cream business franchises like Baskin Robbins (₹20–40 lakh) or Cream Stone (₹30–50 lakh), Naturals is more in the middle-premium segment with both brand value and viability to operate. Manufacturing is not an issue for franchisees—ice cream is produced at the brand’s central plant and delivered directly to outlets, ensuring consistent quality.
Profit Potential: How Much Can You Earn?
Naturals Ice Cream franchises may be profitable-margin ventures if managed well. Profitability depends on location, traffic, rent, and retention. Below is an estimated earning by city type:
Average Monthly Revenue:
- Metro cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore): ₹12–15 lakh
- Tier-1 Cities (Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad): ₹8–12 lakh
- Tier-2 cities (Nagpur, Bhopal, Lucknow): ₹6–9 lakh
Monthly Operating Expenses:
- Rent: ₹1.2–2 lakh
- Salaries (4–6 employees): ₹1–1.5 lakh
- Utilities, Maintenance & Miscellaneous: ₹70,000–1 lakh
Net Profit Margins:
All the franchises have 15–25% net profit margin, subject to operational efficiency and customer flow. It means profit of ₹1.5–3 lakh per month after setup (generally within 12–24 months). The return on investment opportunity every year is ₹18–36 lakh with a payback of 2–3 years in case of ideal operations.
- Payback Timeline: Under regular operating conditions in a good location, the ROI is achieved within 12-18 months.
- Monthly Revenue: Franchisees of mid-performing outlets in Tier 1 or Tier 2 cities can expect monthly revenue between ₹ 9 Lakhs and ₹ 12 Lakhs, depending on the season.
- Revenue Retention: Since they do not charge high royalty fees for operating this franchise outlet, franchisees can retain between 85% and 94% of total revenue.
Suggested Read: Amul Franchise Cost in India
Ideal Location Strategy
Where you locate your store will make or break your business. Naturals stores are most effective in busy areas with good repeat traffic.
Recommended Websites:
- Luxury residential areas
- Malls or high-end shopping centers
- Local colleges, offices, or common workspaces
- High street shops with good visibility
Suggested Space: 300–500 sq. ft., preferably air-conditioned, well-lit, and with a minimum of dine-in space. Hip locations with frequent evening business are more likely to succeed. For optimal traction, look for areas with younger populations, such as student neighbourhoods or areas with a history of recreational dining.
Fraud Alert: How to Apply Safely
Given the massive popularity of the brand, there are a number of “rip-off” websites and agents that have come up; hence, it is important to follow these safe steps to apply for a Naturals Franchise:
- Official Channels: Apply only through the official websites of Naturals Ice Creams at naturalicecreams.in or partnersnaturalsicecream.com, as these are the only official channels for franchise applications.
- Zero Upfront Fees: Be extremely cautious of people or agents who demand “application processing fees” or “document charges” before a formal meeting, via WhatsApp or unofficial email IDs.
- Vetting Representatives: Be wary of people or agents who demand fees, as they will not present an official Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) to verify that the financial figures match the company’s official figures.
- Physical Verification: Please note that the official Naturals team will also visit your site in person; therefore, be wary of people or agents finalising a deal over the phone or by email.
- Corporate Bank Transfers: Also, be wary of anyone or agents demanding payment, as funds must be sent only to the corporate account of Mr Kamath’s Our Times Ice Creams Pvt. Ltd.
Step-by-Step Application: How to Apply for a Naturals Ice Cream Franchise
Naturals follows a curated franchise onboarding process to maintain quality and brand consistency.
- Visit naturalicecreams.in
- Go to the “Franchise Enquiry” section
- Fill out the franchise form with basic business information
- Submit proposed store location details
- Await a call from the Naturals team for screening and further discussion
- Upon approval, you’ll receive a full onboarding kit and training schedule
Naturals does not support sub-franchising or area developers and chooses partners based on business awareness, not just capital.
Official Contact Details
Headquarters: Mumbai (Kamath’s Our Times Ice Creams Pvt. Ltd.)
Website: https://naturalicecreams.in/.
No agents or other third parties are authorised to sell Franchise Business Opportunities. Verify all information only on our official website.
Business Model Analysis: Is It Sustainable?
From a business analyst’s perspective, Naturals Ice Cream occupies a sweet spot between mass popularity and premium positioning. Below is a brief SWOT analysis:
Strengths:
- Reputable legacy brand
- Low-cost operations
- Unique flavour profile
Weaknesses:
- High-end pricing can deter price-sensitive consumers
- Limited dine-in choices
Opportunities:
- Development of Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities
- Growing demand for clean-label food
- Strategic partnerships with food ordering websites
Threats:
- Seasonal dependency (despite year-round operations)
Challenges in Running this Franchise
While the franchise business has a successful operating model in place, the potential franchisees should be aware of the challenges in operating this franchise business:
- Managing Perishable Products: Since they do not add preservatives to their ice cream, the product has a very short shelf life of 2-3 days.
- High Dependence on Cold Chain: The business is highly susceptible to power failures; a cold chain failure can destroy your entire inventory; therefore, 100% reliable power backup is essential.
- Seasonal Volatility: While demand for ice cream has increased throughout the year, summer accounts for 40-50% of revenue; therefore, proper financial planning is required for the lean periods of the monsoon or winter.
- Staff Retention: The retail and dessert industry has a notoriously high staff turnover. It is important that the owner is prepared to provide ongoing training to maintain the service standards at Naturals.
- Aggressive Market Competition: The company will have to compete with Amul on price and with Baskin-Robbins on flavour variety, necessitating localised marketing efforts.
Conclusion
If you want the top franchise business under ₹50 lakhs in India, Naturals Ice Cream is a strong contender. The firm has a legacy trust, sells natural products of the highest quality, and needs comparatively lean operations. With the increasing demand for preservative-free food and Indians’ penchant for sweets, the model is relevant and scalable. Understanding the Naturals Ice Cream Franchise Cost helps potential investors gauge the affordability and plan their investment wisely.
The franchise allows you to drive a proven concept without needing to reinvent the wheel. For aspiring entrepreneurs who value stability, simplicity of operation, and ethical branding, Naturals offers a low-risk, high-reward opportunity.
Note: All the information provided above is based on available information. We suggest directly contacting the brand for franchise opportunities.
FAQs
Is the Naturals franchise profitable in Tier-2 cities?
Yes. While sales may be slightly lower, the lower cost of real estate and operations can result in equal or higher margins compared to metro locations.
How does Naturals price its ice cream for franchisees?
Franchisees procure products at fixed wholesale prices. The retail markup (MRP) is determined centrally, allowing the franchisee to retain the net margin after local expenses.
Can I apply without prior food business experience?
Yes. While experience helps, Naturals offers operational training and ongoing support, making it beginner-friendly.
Does Naturals help with store setup and branding?
Absolutely. They assist with design, equipment procurement, staff hiring, and launch strategy.
What are the risks of opening a Naturals outlet?
As with any business, risks include mismatches in location, seasonal demand drops, and local competition. However, the brand’s loyal customer base and established processes mitigate many of these risks.
Are there marketing fees or royalties?
Naturals typically does not charge monthly royalties or marketing fees. Franchisees are responsible for local promotions, while the brand handles national visibility.