The additional Michigan stores are projected to open in the nextthree to five years, company officials say. "We're looking forentrepreneurs that are as passionate about ice cream as we are,"says Michigan area developer Michael Flaum. "What better businessto be in than the ice cream business?"

The company is hosting an informational seminar on Oct. 7 at theMarriott East Lansing at University Place to educate localinvestors of the entrepreneurial opportunity. The company believesits business formula is a key contributor to having taken a biteout of the $20.7-billion ice cream industry. Boasting a $380,000annualized average unit volume, the highest of any super-premiumice cream concept, Cold Stone Creamery 2003 system-wide revenuesexceeded $156 million, up 77% from $88 million in 2002.

In 2003, Cold Stone Creamery opened 228 new stores nationallyand has already opened 250 in 2004. Cold Stone Creamery offershandcrafted ice cream made fresh daily in each store, and thencustomized by combining a variety of mix-ins on a frozen granitestone. With more than 800 stores from coast to coast, Cold StoneCreamery currently operates in 46 states including Alaska, Hawaii,the Caribbean and Guam. Cold Stone Creamery is an independentlyowned franchise system headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ.