How to open an ice cream shop that combines passion with entrepreneurship? Opening an ice cream parlour is a fantastic idea for your own business, but success requires a well-thought-out strategy and solid preparation. As an ice cream manufacturer, we often accompany our clients as they take their first steps in opening their own business and help them find practical solutions.How to navigate the formalities, what ice cream shop equipment to invest in, and how to stand out from the competition? When deciding to open an ice cream parlour, it’s important not only to explore the topic of ice cream production but also to prepare a detailed budget and action plan.
In our guide, you will find practical tips that will show you how to open your own ice cream parlour and fulfill your dream of having a place with delicious ice cream. Discover all aspects of running your own ice cream parlour and make your business operate all year round.
The dream of running your own ice cream parlour starts with an idea, but the key to success lies in well-thought-out decisions. Before you start serving delicious ice cream, it’s worth answering a few key questions that will help you plan your business from the ground up. A business plan for an ice cream parlour, a well-chosen location, and a well-thought-out menu are a solid foundation for the parlour’s growth and acquiring loyal customers.
Firstly, consider whether your own ice cream parlour will only operate during the summer season or all year round. Seasonal business involves practically the same maintenance costs, so why not reap the benefits all year round? Year-round operations offer greater earning potential, but they require an expansion of the menu – for example, including hot drinks or desserts that will be appealing during the colder months.
The decision to invest in an ice cream booth (food truck) or to open an ice cream parlour will impact the scale and strategy of your business.
• An ice cream truck: This is a great choice for those planning a seasonal business. Thanks to lower rental costs and flexibility, you can participate in events, festivals, and relocate your point to various busy spots in the city.
• An ice cream shop, while associated with higher maintenance costs, offers a unique opportunity to build a lasting image and establish relationships with loyal customers. It is precisely due to a permanent location that you can create a recognizable and valued brand that attracts customers all year round, making your ice cream parlour a profitable year-round business.
Choosing the right location can determine the success of your business. Where is the best place to open my own ice cream parlour? Here are a few example locations worth considering when deciding to set up both an ice cream truck or a parlour.
• By the water or in the park Natural gatherings of people in the summer season.
• Close to the shopping mall, in a tourist town Steady flow of customers throughout the year.
• In a residential area, near a school or church The daily presence of residents and regularly organised events encourage a steady influx of customers.
• Events and festivals Perfect for ice cream trucks.
Location in a busy part of the city is the key to success. Even a less popular offer can be saved by an appealing location. A well-chosen location allows you to make the most of the potential of both seasonal and year-round customers.
Before renting or purchasing a venue, make sure it meets all sanitary requirements. Make sure to check:
• The availability of a suitable power supply – ice cream production machines may require 230V or 400V voltage.
• Whether the venue has access to running water? Don’t forget about the sanitary and epidemiological requirements and about food safety. The lack of appropriate infrastructure can increase the costs of adapting your venue and make it harder to get started.
Serving ice cream from a machine, made from a ready-made mix, is a convenient and efficient solution. It guarantees consistent product quality, quick preparation times, and minimizes waste.
Ice cream powder concentrates are easy to store and prepare, allowing you to focus on serving customers. Thanks to this, you can serve fresh and delicious ice cream, even during peak hours. By opting for high-quality ready-made ice cream mixes, you can serve premium quality soft serve and twist ice cream to your customers.
The decision to purchase an ice cream machine has a significant impact on the budget. Therefore, first consider what type of ice cream you want to serve (this will determine what kind of machine you will need) and decide whether you are going to invest in a new machine (and which option is most beneficial for you: purchasing – higher initial costs, but no monthly fees, leasing – spreading the costs over time, or renting – lower initial costs, but more expensive in the long run) or purchase a second-hand machine. Consider your financial capabilities and development plans.
Regardless of whether you want to open an ice cream stall, an ice cream parlour with a wide range of ice cream desserts, or an ice cream truck, before you take action, analyse the local market and consider how to make your business stand out from your competition. These questions below will assist you in this.
• What products do other ice cream parlours offer?
• What flavour of ice cream do they prefer?
• What does their customer service and marketing look like?
Remember that regular presence on social media and participation in local events are additional ways to build a recognizable brand. The ready-made marketing materials from LYKKE available to clients will save you from having to create your own photos or posters, making promotional activities much easier.
The decision of whether to run an ice cream parlour independently or to hire staff depends on the scale of the business and the number of customers. Independent work allows for cost reduction, but it comes with a greater time burden. On the other hand, employing staff enables more efficient customer service and a faster company growth. It is important to ensure that the choice of the appropriate option takes into account both the available budget and your organisational capabilities.
How to open an ice cream stall in compliance with regulations? Make sure you have completed all the formalities:
• Registration of business activity.
• Notification to the Sanitary Inspection and fulfilment of sanitary requirements.
• If you aren’t limiting yourself to selling ice cream and plan to introduce, for example, alcohol – remember to obtain a licence for its sale.
• Purchasing a cash register.
Also take care of the appropriate equipment for the venue – from machines, through work surfaces, to the details.
When planning the equipment for your ice cream parlour, it’s worth carefully considering your menu. If you want to operate year-round, consider enhancing your menu with additional products. Expanding the offer is a way to increase profits and customer interest. Besides soft serve or twist ice cream, it is also worth to consider adding:
• coffee – both as an addition to ice cream and as a type of dessert with ice cream and whipped cream
• desserts – the perfect addition to a year-round menu
• waffles – prepared using a ready-made waffle mix
• granitas made with natural fruit juices
• frozen yogurts – a suggestion based on the growing popularity of healthy alternatives.
The more diverse the offer, the greater the chance of attracting different groups of customers, and consequently increasing profits. With a defined menu, you can proceed to plan the appropriate equipment. Check what ice cream shop equipment to invest in so that you can prepare both delicious ice cream and desserts.
The costs of opening an ice cream parlour can vary depending on the chosen business model, location, and scale of operations. For an ice cream parlour, the average initial budget ranges from EUR 20,000 to 150,000. The budget includes the rental of a venue (averaging from EUR 1500 to 600 per month depending on the location), purchase of equipment (ice cream machines, display cabinets, coffee machines), renovations, and adjustments to meet sanitary requirements.
In the case of an ice cream truck, the costs are usually lower, ranging from about EUR 15,000 to 60,000. The price includes the purchase or rental of a food truck or a trailer, essential equipment (e.g., countertop ice cream machines, freezers, granita makers) and permits related to operating a food truck business.
The final amount of the investment also depends on the choice between new and used equipment as well as the scale of operations, but both business models require careful planning and financial preparation.
The decision on how to open your own ice cream parlour requires thorough planning and determination. Good equipment, a great location, and a well-thought-out menu are the key to success. Take care of the formalities, invest in quality furnishings, and choose an appealing location. Thanks to a well-thought-out strategy, your own ice cream parlour can become a favourite spot for delicious ice cream fans all year round!
