Nutty Munkey frozen custard shop for sale

That’s the case for a group of nine local investors who own Nutty Munkey Frozen Custard. Several of the owners also manage seven other restaurant concepts in five states.

The restaurant overload is what prompted its owners to put the business up for sale July 11. They say the dessert-only aspect of Nutty Munkey didn’t fit well with the management group’s other brands, which include multibrand locations of Taco Bell and KFC.

“It’s just one of our things that we concentrate on, so that doesn’t allow us the time to spend that it’s going to take to grow it like it needs,” said Steve Gurney, vice president of franchising for Nutty Munkey Inc. “If somebody wanted to take this turnkey concept and devote all the time and energy and resources toward it, it could flourish nationwide.”

The dessert shop will remain open at 3558 S. Campbell Ave. even as a sale takes place, Gurney said.

There is no price on the business yet, Gurney said, and no buyers have stepped forward, though he’s spoken to people who have expressed interest. That’s also a reason they decided to put Nutty Munkey up for sale in the first place, he said.

“We have had other people approach us about buying the franchise and buying this facility, and we had always said no,” said Mike Treadwell, an operating partner with the business. “We just reconsidered and said, ‘I think we would like to entertain that.’”

The owners are open to selling the business and building as a package deal, or selling the building and allowing a new owner to relocate the business.

Teresa Schwab of Wilhoit Properties, which lists the property, said the 1,297-square-foot building is priced at $250,000. A long-term lease option also is available – the monthly rate would begin at $3,950 triple net.

The investors are accepting offers for the business.

Schwab said property location may be a better draw than the business itself, though she foresees no problem in finding a buyer.

“The location is great, so there might be other businesses that would like to have that location who aren’t necessarily operating frozen custard businesses,” she said. “I think it has a really strong opportunity as a location.”

Gurney agrees, saying the area is fit for a dessert restaurant or another type of business. In particular, the nearby Campbell 16 Ciné brings customers looking for an after-movie treat.

“Entertainment, households, schools – we have it all in that area,” he said. “Traffic levels are great for any kind of business; I think there’s six or seven driveways to that property. It’s a premium piece of property.”

Nutty Munkey’s frozen custard equipment would be included in a sale of the business but not in a sale of the building, Schwab said.

The dessert novelty store opened in Springfield in summer 2003 and has profited in sales every year since, Treadwell said. A Nutty Munkey franchisee store is located in Houston; he said the sale would not affect the franchisee.[[In-content Ad]]