“Summer would not be summer without ice cream,” as the saying goes. If you’re a fan of this delicious frozen food then you may have entertained ideas about starting your own ice cream business. The good news is that, wherever you are in the world, demand for ice cream is likely to be strong. Although sales peak during summer, it’s a business that can generate impressive profits. One thing that is key to making your business successful is creating a unique selling point for it – there are lots of competitors in the ice cream market. If you’re looking for ideas for starting your own ice cream this summer then these are some of the best.
This is one of the most conventional ways to start your own ice cream business but can also be very satisfying – and profitable. If you don’t have any experience of this market then you might want to look into buying into a franchise that will support you through the process of branding, marketing and setting up the store. Remember that your sales will, to a certain extent, be dependent on your location so picking somewhere central with lots of footfall will be essential.
You don’t have to have a shop to sell ice cream. In fact, if you’re looking to start up a business in this market, but you’re low on experience or funds, an ice cream truck may well be a better choice. The big advantage with a truck is that your overheads are low and you’ll be able to go where the demand is. Major costs to consider include the truck itself, the ice cream and the power you’ll need to keep everything frozen.
If you like the idea of taking your favourite product and selling it at festivals, in parks or at sports matches then it’s worth considering a vending cart as a great way to get off the ground. Profit margins for this kind of business can be high and you’ll get to meet lots of people and attend lots of events. Just remember that you may need to get licences or permits to sell your ice cream, depending on where and when you’re looking to do it.
If your interest really lies in developing new flavours and types of ice cream then you may be more suited to becoming a producer. To do this you’re likely to need facilities where you can develop recipes, test and produce the ice cream – which need considerable investment. You’ll also need a way to ensure that your product reaches customers, such as restaurants, in peak condition.
If you think there’s a gap in the market today for your ice cream vision then you can create your business around it. Dairy free and vegan ice cream is a burgeoning trend, for example, and consumers are keen to support it.
These are just some of the options if you’re thinking of starting your own ice cream business – the only real limit to what you can achieve is the extent of your vision.