Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Cold Stone Creamery to Open Co-Branded Stores

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc. (Durango, Colo.), which franchises gourmet chocolate and confection stores, and Cold Stone Creamery (Scottsdale, Ariz.), which franchises super-premium ice cream stores, announced the signing of a non-binding Letter of Intent to negotiate a Test License Agreement between the two brands.

The companies plan to co-brand seven franchised stores with both the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and the Cold Stone Creamery names, with four of the locations selected by Cold Stone Creamery and the other three by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

“A number of our franchisees in different markets have been successful in offering ice cream products on their store menus,” says Bryan Merryman, coo, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. “We believe Cold Stone Creamery has developed a brand awareness and reputation for product quality that complements Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory's gourmet chocolate and confectionery product line and meets our customer expectations.”

The companies have 90 days to enter into a definitive Test License Agreement. If a definitive agreement is not reached during that time, both parties can then pursue agreements with other potential partners.

“The proposed co-branding test would bring together two beloved American brands to create the ultimate dessert destination,” says Dan Beem, president of Cold Stone Creamery. “It's no secret that retail demand for ice cream peaks in the summer, while the demand for gourmet chocolates peaks during the winter holiday season. By co-branding these concepts, we hope to give people more reasons to patronize our stores year-round.”

Depending upon the success of the co-branding test, the companies say they may consider a more extensive licensing relationship in the future.