Aug. 14, 2018

B&G Milkyway is ready to expand to southeast Sioux Falls once it finds a franchisee, and it has one in place for Harrisburg.

The Harrisburg ice cream shop likely will open in two years, said Bruce Bettmeng, who owns the ice cream franchise with his wife, Pam.

He has a location in mind for southeast Sioux Falls, but “we need to have a franchisee in place before I buy the land.”

The land is near 41st  Street and Veterans Parkway. “It’s an excellent location we’ve picked out,” he said.

The site would be the seventh B&G in the Sioux Falls area. The seasonal shops focus on ice cream but also serve food.

“It would make someone a rewarding career and very good income,” Bettmeng said.

According to information on the company’s website, franchise costs range from $130,000 to $600,000, depending on whether the franchisee owns the land and building.

The Bettmengs own and operate two of the four B&Gs in Sioux Falls. Franchisees own the other two and also the ice cream shops in Tea and Brandon.

B&G has a long history in Sioux Falls, starting when Bertha and Guy Higgens purchased a drive-in, Ray’s Diner, in 1954 on West 12th Street and renamed it. The Bettmengs bought the business, which included a second location on West 41st Street, in 1992 and franchised the first site in 2001.