Ice Cream Shop Business

Just like in any venture, your main job in the ice cream parlor business is to meet and exceed your customer's expectations. From the second that they lay eyes on your store to the moment that they leave, you want to deliver to your customer the experience and the products that they want.

The ice cream business is not just about selling ice cream, it's all about focusing on your customer and serving ice cream! That's why we're called Serving-Ice-Cream!

We're here to help you with your #1 goal...serving ice cream!

When you get that right, you're customers will give you what you're looking for - they're loyalty.

We'll start with the basics and then move on to the more in-depth info. Feeding you the info you need in manageable bite-sized scoops!

Starting Your Ice Cream Shop Business: Plan

• Ice Cream Parlor Business Plan and Ice Cream Parlor Marketing Guide
• Ice Cream Shop Franchise Opportunities
• Gelato Supplies

Doing Business: Equipment

• Chest Freezers & Dipping Cabinets
• Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine
• Shaved Ice or Snow Cone Machine
• Frozen Drink/Shake Machine
• Ice Cream Parlor Chairs
• Ice Cream Shops For Sale

An ice cream shop business can be a fun, rewarding way to make money, but you need to have a business plan and you need to have quality equipment.

A quality, easy-to-follow business plan will help keep your business headed in the right direction. It will help prevent you from making poor business choices (although that's not a guarantee)!

Quality, durable equipment will produce products that satisfy your customers cravings and cause them to think of you the next time they want to go out for a treat. Quality equipment will also save you the expenses of spoiled batches and constant repair work.

Starting Your Ice Cream Shop Business Overview

Let's just do a quick overview about what it takes to start your own ice cream shop business.

Starting any new business is more difficult and challenging than running your own business...but the results for all your hard work will pay off.

You need to be careful to plan and develop your business before you officially launch it. This will result in greater success than if you just started your business on a whim without considering each individual aspect of your business.

So, if you are just starting out, it is imperative that you take the time to plan. You will benefit from this time that you spent in the months and years to come. It may even be the difference between a successful business and a flop.

Careful planning includes planning about money. You need to know how much money you have on hand to invest in your new venture initially. With this money, you will need to buy everything you need to start your business...a store front, food equipment, products to sell, and whatever is needed to pass regulations in your town. You need to know how much money you have to work with.

You also need to plan your business model. You will need to determine whether you are going to start your own business or work with a franchise company. Both are options are fine and have worked well for many. You just have to decide which is best for you.

You will need to get a proper license for your business. License requirements vary from town to town, so the best way to find out what you need for your area is to go to your town hall and ask what you need to do.

Next, you will have to have your shop inspected regularly by your local health department. You should contact them to know what their requirements are before attempting to have your parlor inspected.

You can't forget to determine what products you want to sell! Are you going to sell hard ice cream? Are you going to sell soft serve ice cream? How about milkshakes? Start with a simple selection. You can always add more from there.

You will also need to establish a marketing plan. How are you going to let people know about your business?

Finally, in order to quickly create loyal customers who eagerly wait for your arrival, it is a good idea to create your own business identity. What sets you apart from other ice cream vendors and why should they even bother to frequent your ice cream shop? Give your business a unique, appealing flair.

By Jenn Fraiser

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