Menchie's is a self-serve, weigh-and-pay frozen yogurt format — customers pull their own yogurt and build their own toppings, which means the topping bar's sanitation and the weigh-scale POS equipment matter as much to a buyer as the yogurt machines themselves. With the brand's Canadian corporate office based in Toronto, Ontario buyers are also dealing with a franchisor that's genuinely local, not just a Canadian subsidiary of a distant head office.
Menchie's resales follow the franchisor's own approval process on top of the usual purchase mechanics — here's how the two run together.
Getting approved
The offer sets price and structure, conditioned on franchisor consent and a walkthrough of the yogurt machines, topping bar, and weigh-scale POS system.
1–2 weeks†The franchisor reviews the proposed buyer and the deal terms, and may exercise a right of first refusal before the sale can proceed.
several weeks, typically†A franchise disclosure document may still be required for this resale — Ontario courts read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, so franchisor involvement in the sale can trigger it even where it's called a private deal.
assessed early†Getting to closing
The mall or strip-plaza lease needs landlord consent to assign, timed alongside the franchisor's own review.
2–6 weeks†The incoming owner or a designated manager typically completes Menchie's self-serve operating and food-safety training before or shortly after taking over.
1–3 weeks†Funds and keys change hands, equipment condition is confirmed, and perishable yogurt and topping inventory is counted at cost.
1 day, once conditions are met†Official menchiesfranchise.com markets itself as 'the world's largest frozen yogurt franchise'; third-party franchise directories confirm an active Canadian unit count
Canadian corporate office in Toronto, ON (on St. Clair Avenue West), with Ontario shops among its Canadian network
This is the first real decision in a Menchie's resale — and it changes what you're buying, what you're taking on, and how the franchise agreement moves.
| Question | Asset purchase | Share purchase |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | The unit's yogurt machines, topping bar fixtures, weigh-scale POS equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to franchisor consent. | The shares of the operating company — every location it holds, and everything it owes. |
| Seller's liabilities | Generally stay behind with the seller's existing corporation. | Generally come with the company, known and unknown. |
| Franchisor consent & ROFR | Required for the specific unit changing hands. | Required for the change of control itself. |
| Equipment maintenance history | Yogurt machines require regular sanitization and service contracts; buyers typically ask for maintenance records rather than relying on a visual walkthrough. | Maintenance history is part of the diligence package on the company's assets generally. |
| The lease | Needs the landlord's written consent to assign, timed alongside the franchisor's own approval. | Usually stays in place, unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause. |
| Tax angle | Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased. | Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares. |
The unit's yogurt machines, topping bar fixtures, weigh-scale POS equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to franchisor consent.
The shares of the operating company — every location it holds, and everything it owes.
Generally stay behind with the seller's existing corporation.
Generally come with the company, known and unknown.
Required for the specific unit changing hands.
Required for the change of control itself.
Yogurt machines require regular sanitization and service contracts; buyers typically ask for maintenance records rather than relying on a visual walkthrough.
Maintenance history is part of the diligence package on the company's assets generally.
Needs the landlord's written consent to assign, timed alongside the franchisor's own approval.
Usually stays in place, unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause.
Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased.
Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares.
We tell you which structure fits — before you sign anything.
No open-ended hourly surprises — the cost is confirmed in writing before any work begins.
| Type of work | Fee | How it's confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward purchase or sale | Starting from $3,388.87 Our charges · taxes included | Confirmed in writing once we see the agreement. |
| Larger or more complex deal | Quoted to scope | Short call → fixed written quote before any work begins. |
| Searches, filings & third-party fees | At cost | Itemized on your invoice, not marked up. |
A single Menchie's self-serve shop changing hands between one buyer and one seller, with a straightforward lease and clean equipment maintenance records.
Start my file →A multi-unit operator adding a Menchie's location to an existing portfolio, or a resale where the franchisor's right of first refusal needs to be worked through before terms are final.
Book a consultation →Not sure which you are? That's our job to figure out, not yours. As a rough guide, most deals under a couple of million dollars are the first kind — above that, you're usually in Mergers & Acquisitions territory.
The open topping bar tends to draw the most attention — sanitation practices, scoop and utensil handling, and temperature control on toppings are the specific items a change-of-operator inspection is likely to check, more so than the yogurt machines themselves.
Typically, yes, as part of the unit's equipment package, but confirming whether it's owned outright, leased, or financed — and whether the software licence transfers to a new owner — is a standard diligence item rather than something to assume.
It isn't guaranteed, but a franchisor with a local Canadian office is generally easier to communicate with directly on Ontario-specific issues like lease assignment or provincial disclosure timing than one operating entirely through a distant head office.
Possibly. Ontario courts have read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, and franchisor involvement in matching a buyer to a seller can be enough to trigger a full disclosure requirement even where the deal is framed as a private resale.
For a single unit with a straightforward lease, franchisor consent and training are usually the pacing items — budget several weeks for the franchisor's review and a further short window for training, on top of the usual conditions in your offer.
Related
Where we close franchise resale deals
Treadstone Law is an independent law firm. We act for buyers and sellers of franchise businesses. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or retained by Menchie's or its franchisor.
Tell us about your Menchie's resale — we'll point you the right way and confirm the cost in writing before any work begins.