By Meghna Sharma Polar Bear – The Ice Cream Sundae Zone is a Bengaluru-based dessert brand known for its ice cream sundaes, shakes, cakes and takeaway tubs. The company began with one outlet in 2008 and has expanded through a combination of company-owned and franchise-owned stores. Its current franchise page reports more than 170 outlets across over 30 cities.
The opportunity is aimed at entrepreneurs who want to operate a full ice cream parlour rather than make a passive investment. Polar Bear expects the franchisee to remain closely involved in daily operations, employee management, customer service and local business development.
Is a Polar Bear Franchise Available in India?
Yes, Polar Bear officially offers franchise opportunities in India under a Franchise-Owned and Franchise-Operated, or FOFO, model. The company states that most of its outlets are owned and operated by franchise partners.
Franchise availability is location-specific. The official website currently says that it is not accepting new applications for Bengaluru, while opportunities are available in selected cities and regions across South and West India. The company also says applicants can apply only in the city where they reside. Availability should be reconfirmed because territories may change.
Polar Bear Franchise Cost in India
Polar Bear’s official franchise landing page states that the investment starts from ₹40 lakh onwards. The final amount can increase according to the city, property condition, outlet size, rental deposit, approved interiors and equipment requirements.
The total investment may include:
- Initial franchise fee
- Shop security deposit and advance rent
- Interior development, furniture and brand décor
- Freezers, refrigeration and preparation equipment
- Point-of-sale, internet, CCTV and technology systems
- Licences, permits and professional charges
- Initial inventory, packaging and approved supplies
- Employee recruitment, launch marketing and working capital
The official FAQ explains that setup cost includes interiors, equipment, machinery, licences and permits, but it does not publish a complete item-wise price list. Applicants should obtain a written cost sheet explaining all included and excluded expenses before paying the franchise fee or signing a property lease.
Franchise Fee and Royalty Charges
Polar Bear confirms that its model includes a one-time initial franchise fee and a recurring royalty calculated as a percentage of net sales. However, the current public pages do not state the exact fee or royalty percentage.
The agreement should clearly explain the franchise fee, royalty, advertising contribution, technology charges, security deposit, renewal cost and applicable GST. It should also state whether royalty is calculated before or after discounts, delivery commissions and taxes.
Location and Outlet Requirements
Polar Bear’s primary parlour format generally requires around 250 to 500 square feet. Larger outlets or flagship stores in suitable high-traffic locations may require approximately 700 to 1,000 square feet.
A suitable site should have visible frontage, easy customer access and dependable electricity. The premises must support refrigeration, preparation counters, storage, seating where applicable, washing facilities, ventilation and safe customer movement. High streets, residential-commercial areas, malls and busy neighbourhood markets may be considered according to the approved format.
The franchise application asks applicants to provide property photographs, carpet area, commercial status, sanctioned electrical load, nearby landmarks and surrounding business activity. Do not take a long lease or begin renovation until Polar Bear completes its site assessment and gives written approval.
Eligibility for a Polar Bear Franchise
Polar Bear does not present the opportunity as a passive financial investment. Its official FAQ requires an active owner-operator who is willing to spend substantial time managing the outlet, including evenings, weekends and holidays when required.
A suitable applicant should ideally have:
- Sufficient capital for the complete setup and working capital
- A sound and verifiable financial profile
- Strong leadership and people-management ability
- Commitment to daily outlet involvement
- Customer-service and local marketing skills
- Clean legal, banking and business records
- Willingness to follow recipes, hygiene and brand systems
- Residence in the city where the franchise is proposed
Previous food and beverage experience is useful but not always compulsory. The company says applicants may still qualify if they demonstrate business ability, leadership, a strong work ethic and willingness to learn its operating system.
Documents That May Be Required
The application form requests personal, educational, employment, financial and legal information. Applicants should keep Aadhaar, PAN, address proof, photographs, bank statements, income-tax returns, proof of funds and details of current income ready.
Property documents may include ownership papers or a proposed lease, photographs, a site plan, carpet-area details, sanctioned electrical load and commercial-use status. FSSAI registration, a local trade licence, Shops and Establishments registration and fire-safety approvals may also be needed.
The form additionally asks for business and personal references and information about previous business or franchise experience.
Training and Support Provided
Polar Bear describes a structured support programme covering site selection, outlet design, financial planning, licensing, recruitment, staff training and launch marketing. It also provides operating manuals, supply-chain guidance, POS support, product training, quality audits and performance reviews.
Shortlisted partners and key employees must complete the company’s training programme. The entire process from application to store launch may take approximately two to four months, depending on site finalisation, construction, licensing and completion of training.
Profit and Expected Return
Polar Bear does not publicly guarantee a fixed monthly income, profit margin or payback period. Its official material refers to a tested business model and potential returns but provides no standard earnings projection for every store.
Actual profit will depend on sales, average bill value, rent, salaries, electricity, ingredients, delivery-platform commissions, wastage, royalty and local competition.
Applicants should ask for a location-specific financial model and prepare conservative calculations that include slower opening months and sufficient working capital.
How to Apply for a Polar Bear Franchise
Visit Polar Bear’s official website and complete the online franchise application. The form asks about education, employment, business experience, annual income, investment funding, planned personal involvement, preferred city and proposed location.
The official franchise contact details are:
- Phone and WhatsApp: 9108799890
- Email: franchise@polarbear.co.in
Shortlisted applicants may go through a preliminary discussion, financial verification, business-plan review, site evaluation, interviews and legal due diligence before receiving a conditional offer or Letter of Intent.
Beware of Fake Polar Bear Franchise Offers
Franchise scams commonly use copied logos, unofficial websites, WhatsApp messages and fabricated approval letters. Polar Bear’s official contact page identifies Honeycomb Retail (India) Private Limited and publishes the authorised franchise phone number and email address.
Apply only through the official Polar Bear website or its verified franchise contact. Never transfer money to a personal bank account or share OTPs, banking passwords and confidential documents with an unverified agent.
Obtain a written cost sheet, formal site approval, official beneficiary details and a signed franchise agreement before making a major payment.
Final Word
A Polar Bear franchise officially starts from approximately ₹40 lakh onwards. The primary outlet format generally requires 250 to 500 square feet, while selected flagship locations may be larger. The business is designed for active owner-operators rather than passive investors.
Use the official application route, confirm that your city is currently open for franchising and wait for written location approval before committing to rent or interiors. Exact franchise fees, royalty and projected returns should be accepted only when Polar Bear provides them in formal commercial documents.