Rassam’s Creamery

About Rassam’s Creamery

Inspired by seeing a milkshake store on a trip back to his home county of Yemen, founder Rassam Ali Al-Batati started out making milkshakes and selling them from his father’s grocery store in Yorkshire, before opening his own outlet, in Sheffield, in 2012. Rassam’s Creamery, which started franchising after its fourth site, has since expanded to 12, opening its first outside of Yorkshire in January 2023 in Beeston, Nottinghamshire.

The business aims to eventually have a Rassam’s “in every city in the UK and other countries”. A 34-page dessert menu includes ice creams, mocktails and waffles, all of which are halal-certified. In March 2023, Rassam’s branched out into wholesale - supplying ice cream ingredients, toppings, sauces, soft drinks and personalised packaging.

In June 2024, Ali said Rassam’s Creamery is seeking sites across the north and Midlands as it looks to expand. “We’re on the hunt for more sites,” Ali said. “Since 2012, we have opened several vibrant stores, catering to a wide range of customer demographics. With seven units already trading in Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire, we are now looking to expand our successful property portfolio. Rassam’s Creamery is a high footfall driver from mornings through to evenings, and therefore the concept would be a great addition to any retail scheme/park.”

In December 2024, Rassam’s said it had lined up its first international site, in Nairobi, Kenya. “Exciting times ahead for Rassam’s Creamery as we take our journey to the continent of Africa,” Ali said. “We are confident that Rassam’s Creamery Nairobi will be a game-changer in the region! We’re not just opening a store - we’re building a brand that brings people together through quality, taste and innovation. Nairobi, Kenya - the first of many!”

The following month, Ali set a target of 50 sites by the end of 2027. “With seven units already trading across Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, Rassams is now looking to expand its successful property profile,” he said. “Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited to expand Rassams Creamery further across the UK and beyond. Our goal is to reach 50 branches by the end of 2027, all while maintaining the exceptional quality our customers expect.”

In June 2025, Rassam’s Creamery secured a site in Leeds and has said it has five more locations across the north and Midlands in the pipeline. The Leeds location will be followed later this year by further sites in Barnsley and Liverpool. The company is also in talks to expand further outside of Yorkshire - in Leicester and Manchester - as well as add a Chesterfield site to its growing portfolio.

Adam Mobley, a partner at WSB Property Consultants, which is working with Rassam’s, said: “WSB is delighted to announce a new acquisition on behalf of our clients, Rassams Creamery, at a major retail scheme in Leeds. Contracts were exchanged last week, and we’re excited to share more details soon. This latest deal reinforces Rassams Creamery’s ambitious growth strategy. As an award-winning dessert operator trading since 2012, it continues to expand its property portfolio across the north of England and the Midlands. With Liverpool and Barnsley due to open in the next six months, and Leicester, Chesterfield, and Manchester currently in legals, momentum is strong, and we want more. We’re actively seeking units in key cities and towns for the next opportunity.”

Rassams said in November 2025 that it had made its international debut with an opening in Kenya, while Ali launched a healthy juice concept, Juice Way, with the first site launching in Liverpool.

Why franchise with Rassam’s Creamery

• ✓Franchisees will need to make a minimum initial investment of £100,000, with franchise fees of £14,950 and a total investment cost of £200,000. In return, franchisees will receive a complete menu, an exclusive territory, all equipment needed and a full programme of training and support. All things marketing, including social media assistance and a pre-launch marketing campaign, will be included, as will be branded clothing, a localised website and on-the-job training.
• ✓Pre-opening support includes assistance with site selection and design and a business plan, operations manuals, supply chain assistance and a launch campaign. Ongoing support includes field visits and audits, refresher training, operational advice, menu development and marketing templates. There will be a royalty fee of 6% and an advertising fee of 2%.
• ✓After two years, revenue is expected to be around £500,000. No experience in the dessert or food service industry is necessary, and average floor space needed for a unit is 3,000 square feet. The company will consider all locations across the UK, and the franchise agreement is for a ten-year renewable term.
• ✓The company said: “We would like to hear from you, whether you are looking to open a single or multiple sites; whether you are UK or overseas; and whether you are planning to be an owner operator or investor. Rassam’s Creamery will help you to grow, and in return, it expects you to be self-motivated, ambitious and determined. Its team can teach you most things, but you also need to put in the hard work.”

Investment breakdown