How to Start an Ice Cream Parlour

The Ultimate Guide for New Entrepreneurs

Opening your own ice cream parlour or ice cream shop can be a fulfilling endeavor for new entrepreneurs. Ice cream has a universal appeal and is loved by all generations. With the right idea, plan, and strategy, your ice cream parlour can easily become a popular local hangout spot. Whether you want to run a dessert business or as an aspiring business owner entering the food service industry —this practical guide will help get you on your way to opening your own successful gelato shop, soft serve business, vegan ice cream cafe, or frozen yogurt bar.

Know the Market and Your Customers

Before starting your ice cream parlour business, you should know the market and the customers you’re planning to serve it to. Do your homework:

• Who are your customers? Are you focusing on children, families, students, or tourists? Different groups will crave different products-some want an ice cream sundae, others will want a milkshake, or gelato cone, or frozen yogurt cup.
• What is the competition? Go into local ice cream parlours, gelato shops, or frozen yogurt bars. Pay attention to the products they offer, the price they have set and their customer service.
  Figure out what works and where are some gaps in the market. If all the other shops are selling the same flavours, your uniqueness might be creating an artisan gelato, a soy-based vegan ice cream, a low sugar frozen yogurt, or an ice cream toppings bar.

Create a Business Plan

A solidly crafted ice cream parlour business plan will outline how you plan to start and grow your ice cream business.

• Executive Summary: Provide a brief outline of your ice cream parlour concept, vision, and business goals.
• Market Research: Include information about your target customers, local competition and current ice cream trends.
• Menu and Pricing: Describe the ice cream, gelato, soft serve, frozen yogurt, shakes and toppings you plan to sell. Is your ice cream a unique flavour, or have a special dietary consideration (vegan, gluten free)? If so, highlight that when pricing your product, and pricing should be modelled off of your product quality, competitors, and customers.
• Financial Plan: Make the list of start up costs (equipment, rent, inventory, decor) and then start to make a list of expected monthly expenses. Now, start building expected revenues list and include a break-even analysis to help you stay on track.
• Marketing Strategy: Outline how you plan to attract and keep customers through social media, loyalty programs, local partnerships, and seasonal ice cream events.

Craft Your Menu

Your ice cream shop menu is the heart of your whole operations. It is essential that the menu represents your brand and matches the tastes of your targeted clientele. Here is a list to consider when you are designing your menu:

• Signature Flavours: Create unique flavours for your ice cream, gelato, or soft serve. When customers think of your shop they will think of your unique flavours.
• Build-Your-Own: Let customers choose their base ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt etc, with unlimited toppings, mix ins, cones, and cups.
• Dietary Preference: Think of including dietary alternatives to appeal to a wider audience. Consider variations like, dairy free, sugar free, keto, and vegan options like gelato or dairy free soft serve.
• Specialties: Consider offering, sundaes, ice cream cakes, floats, milkshakes, or coffee as an addition to your menu.

Choose the Best Location

Properly locating your ice cream shop can create foot traffic and ensure your parlour is visible.

• Foot Traffic: Look for a location near schools, parks, malls, tourist attractions, or heavy family-traffic neighborhoods.
• Visibility: Build a brightly lit sign and a welcoming parlour entrance for inviting pedestrian traffic into the parlour.
• Space: Fit in your food prep area, service counter, and a space for seating or an outdoor eating area—great for frozen yogurt cafes that are open heavily during Summer months.
• Affordable Rent: Rent is never cheap—but be sure to balance your rent with your estimated sales. If you are just starting, weigh the advantages and disadvantages of starting with a mobile food cart, kiosk or ice cream truck

Get Your Permits and Licenses

To follow the law for your ice cream parlour business, you must make sure you have:

• A business license
• Health department permit (for food safety) – especially for machinery like ice cream machine commercial units.
• Food handler certificate
• Fire and safety inspection
• Signage permits and/or outdoor seating permits

Set Up Your Kitchen and Purchase Equipment

Organizing Your Kitchen and Purchasing Equipment Your equipment selection, especially the commercial ice cream machine you select, is very important:

• Commercial Grade Ice Cream Machine – Vortex Restaurant Equipment sells Gel Matic commercial ice cream machines that organizations trust. You can get a soft serve, gelato, or dual-flavor models that are both countertop or floor standing units – they are energy-efficient, easy to service and clean and designed for production at a very high volume.
• Display Freezers and Dipping Cabinets- display areas for hard-pack ice cream, designed to keep the correct temperature and showcase the product.
• Refrigeration for dairy or fresh ingredients (fruit, sauces, and toppings).
• Prep area and utensils – ice cream scoops, blenders, toppings dispensers, scales, cups, cones, spoons, take out packaging.
• Ice Cream Shop POS System – processing orders, delivery app support and ice cream delivery service compatibility.

Create a Marketing Plan

To follow the law for your ice cream parlour business, you must make sure you have:

• Social Media – This is a great way to share your soft serve, gelato, or frozen yogurt products too! You can use Instagram, Tik Tok, and Facebook.
• Networking Locally – You may want to offer specials to get people to your grand opening, provide flyers, network with schools, partner with the Community association and offer ice cream catered and fundraiser opportunities.
  
• Use Online Ordering – Partner with delivery services like Uber Eats, Door Dash, Skip the Dishes, or build a site specifically to allow customers to order ice cream for delivery.
• Create a Loyalty Program – Use a punch card system or point system to encourage repeat visits and generate customer loyalty.

Hiring and Training Your Team

• Employee Training – Train employees on hygiene and food safety, proper use of commercial ice cream equipment, and customer service.
• Team Culture – Build a fun, positive atmosphere and encourage your employees to take pride in serving happy customers.

Focus on Outstanding Customer Service

• Memorable experiences lead to repeat customers.
• Restaurants stores are friendly and accessible.
• Promote prompt, friendly service especially in busy times.
• Ensure a clean, bright, family friendly ice cream parlor.
• Respond to feedback and keep making improvements.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are considering a bean box or specialty gelato bar, soft serve parlour, vegan ice cream, frozen yogurt concepts, or even a growing scope of choices, starting an ice cream parlour can be a fun and lucrative business. And if you follow the steps outlined in this guide with respect to considering a concept, selecting a location, marketing, and customer service, you will have a good chance of being set up for success long-term. With the right investment into the right ice cream machine (such as the Gel Matic offered by Vortex), planning, and commitment, your shop can be a lasting favourite and essential business in your community.