Follow These Steps to Start an Ice Cream Parlor Business

On a sweaty summer and hard working day, nothing can be better than a scoop of your favorite ice-cream. This element of craving is same throughout the world, but is especially raised in hot and dry regions. Therefore, locating a carefully researched place blending with a well-drafted business plan can prove to be a lucrative business opportunity for those looking to start an ice cream parlor business. Let’s explore the essential steps needed in order to accomplish as above.

Step 1

Deciding to start an independent startup or acquire a franchise from a well-running business is the basic most step. Each business approach comes with its own risks and rewards though. One major benefit of franchising is that you get to work on a successful brand, experienced labor, and requiring minimum efforts to build a customer base. Franchise normally provides the store layout and structure, ingredients, tools and working standards, but it also requires a thick amount of upfront capital. In contrast, operating an own business gives you more freedom in how to conduct your operations well within your allocated budget.

Step 2

Study other ice cream businesses in your locality to help you in better understand which business type will be most feasible for you and how to get ideas for your store or mobile cart. For instance, a low-fat, frozen yoghurt shop is highly preferred in area where the community is more of a health-conscious.

Step 3

You can access detailed market statistics from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website or through the National Ice Cream Retailers Association. Go through the U.S. Census Bureau website to find out important information about your target market’s demographics.

Step 4

Contact your local health department regarding the requirements and costs to be met for acquiring a permit for an ice cream shop or a mobile permit in case of a movable cart. When looking for a nice commercial place consider the important elements such as lighting, equipment, garbage, ventilations and plumbing needs, insect and rodent control, convenience of restrooms, etc. These factors are essential to go through as you do not want to invest in a shop that is likely to ask you for regular inclusions or renovations in future.

Step 5

Create a list of side-items that you are considering to sell along with ice creams like cookies, drinks, extra cones, flavored toppings, etc. Then create a separate list for a plethora of equipment and furnishings your business needs along with their costs such as carts, walk-in freezers and coolers, condiments, storage shelves, soda and drink-serving machines, tables and chairs, prep tables, mixing bowls, tableware, fudge warmers, and pasteurizers.

Step 6

Determine the location of your business in areas such as a waterfront, downtown, public parks, busy shopping centers, residential condos and apartments, etc. See how frequent can you expect the foot traffic to pass by your shop and whether your area provides easy access or parking for cars. Your ice cream parlor can range from 500 to 4,000 sq. ft. in size. Also included in the shop layout, there must be an ample space for the storage of your ingredients and orders.

Step 7

Develop a well-versed business plan for your ice cream shop. Add the relevant information like target market, market research findings, design ideas of shop, potential or shortlisted locations in different parts of the city, promotional tactics, any financial backup or acquiring loans, etc. Present this business plan to external intermediaries such as banks or investors and see if they are interested in your project and are willing to borrow you funds.

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