<Page>


                                    FORM 6-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                        Report of Foreign Private Issuer
                      Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                          For the month of March, 2005

                          Commission File No. 000-27476
                                              ---------

                          CoolBrands International Inc.
                          -----------------------------
                 (Translation of registrant's name into English)

              8300 Woodbine Avenue, Markham, Ontario Canada L3R 9Y7
              -----------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

                          Form 20-F [ ] Form 40-F [X]

         Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1)________

         Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7)________

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.

                                 Yes [ ] No [X]

         If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):82-_________




<Page>


                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                        COOLBRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC.

Date:    March 24, 2005                 By: Aaron Serruya /s/
                                           ------------------------------
                                            Name: Aaron Serruya
                                            Title: Executive Vice President





<Page>



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

99.1     Registrant's Press Release with regard to (i) the appointment of Arthur
         Waldbaum to serve as a Director and (ii) Registrant's approval of $40
         million in financing for the previously announced acquisition of
         Breyer's yogurt from Kraft Foods.