ICE CREAM SHOP BUSINESS PLAN SAMPLE
There are a lot of things to know about an ice cream business.
These could range from the top flavors most patronized by clients, innovative services introduced by ice cream businesses, and a host of other aspects of the company.
This article will cover the ice cream business, providing everything that every ice cream business must have.
The ice cream business is a seasonal business with high and low moments and patronage. Before starting an ice cream business, you should consider location.
Choosing between having a mobile ice cream shop, a stationery shop, or both is part of the critical decision.
A mobile or liquid nitrogen ice cream shop can go anywhere there are potential clients. In contrast, a stationary shop serves a particular location (until other shops are opened in other sites).
There are several ice cream businesses, many of which are popular brands with years of experience.
This, however, does not mean that an investor cannot set up a thriving ice cream business. There are many things to consider when starting an ice cream business.
You may want to consider buying an existing ice cream business or setting up a new one from the bottom up.
There are factors to consider when buying an existing ice cream business. Such existing ice cream businesses already have an operational structure with all the equipment needed.
However, the cost of an existing ice cream business is typically higher than that of a new one. To start from scratch, buying all the required equipment is needed.
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Location Counts
The location of the ice cream business is also a factor. Existing ice cream businesses located in strategic places will cost higher than those found in less/unattractive areas.
The business is always on wheels for mobile ice cream businesses and can travel to any location to deliver ice cream products to clients.
There are certain advantages and disadvantages associated with stationary and mobile ice cream businesses.
These can differentiate between a profitable ice cream business and an ice cream business witnessing low patronage.
Locating an ice cream shop in areas with relatively high density will most likely result in a high rate of patronage. Therefore, places with high foot traffic, such as seashores and sports centers, are great to set up an ice cream business.
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The Cost of Setting up Shop
An ice cream business requires considerable financial investments.
However, this largely depends on the scale of operation of the business. Many resources are committed to creating a solid brand for giant ice cream shops.
Significant investments are also committed to marketing and advertising for ice cream businesses not found in high human traffic areas.
This does not hold the same for those in high traffic areas, as the financial investments in marketing and advertising are less.
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Regulatory Guidelines
There are regulatory guidelines to follow. To set up a successful ice cream business, it is essential to consider every regulatory provision guiding the operation of an ice cream business.
Failing to abide by the stipulated guidelines and working within the regulatory framework may result in the ice cream business-facing strict sanctions.
Hygiene should form an essential guiding principle of the ice cream business.
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Hiring the Workforce
The number of the required workforce for the ice cream business depends on the company’s size. More significant ice cream business typically requires the services of more workers.
The quality of the workforce is also an important consideration.
You can get the services of employees with a particular skill set more conveniently through recruitment services. This, however, will attract a service fee.
But the charges are worth it as the chances of getting the required skill set are high.
- Buying Ice Cream Manufacturing Equipment
Without equipment, an ice cream business cannot function effectively. Significant financial commitments are required to purchase the right equipment.
In buying equipment for the ice cream business, it is advisable to purchase durable equipment that will last, as this is a business, and its usage will be quite much.
Buying a truck is necessary for mobile ice cream businesses and can be considerably expensive. Before investing in an ice cream business, it must factor in expenses and be prepared for them before venturing in.
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The Ice Cream Business Plan
Before everything else, the business plan should be in place. The business plan is an important document that will guide the ice cream shop to profitability.
Without the plan, the business is at best operating blindly, which will fail.
Whenever there is any form of distraction, resulting in the loss of concentration and direction, the business plan acts as a compass in guiding the business along the path of profitability and towards its goals.
The ice cream business is quite lucrative, primarily if the proper measures are implemented. This article provides some of these measures that will significantly influence the company along the path of profitability.
ICE CREAM SHOP BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE
Here is a sample business plan for starting an ice cream parlor.
Ever thought of starting an ice cream shop? Are you hindered due to your inability to plan out your business? If your answers to these questions are affirmative, you will find this ice cream shop business a helpful plan.
We have made this plan available for use to enhance your chances of success. While reading through, it is necessary to avoid complicating it when implementing its content.
Your plan should encapsulate every detail of your ice cream business. It would be best if you did this comprehensively to enable the reader to understand fully.
Although your plan is meant as a guide in implementing its contents, investors are likely to go through it when you require funding.
Doing a great job will increase the chance of funds being approved.
Take its Seasonal Nature into Consideration
You need to understand the seasonal nature of ice cream patronage when planning your business. It’s a fact that during the winter season, ice cream sales drop.
This picks up during summer when the weather is warm. Renting a shop during the winter season means you will incur expenses with little or no income.
This can lead to losses, with the only option being to run on a lean budget within the timeframe. Your plans should consider these.
Dealing with Red Tape
Before your ice cream shop kicks off, you need to get the necessary licensing permits. You also need to know the applicable health and safety laws for ice cream shop businesses.
Getting the hang of these enables you to prepare beforehand. This eliminates guesswork and unnecessary delay. Most times, different cities have their additional regulatory requirements.
Find what applies to your city or business location.
What Form Should Your Plan Take?
In many cases, new entrepreneurs are usually faced with the dilemma over what a plan should include. Business plans are standard for every type of business. However, you plan we should be specific to your ice cream business. The primary contents will consist of your executive summary, business description, and market analysis.
Other sections include funding requirements, organizational management, sales strategies, and financial projections.
A critical look at these will allow you to supply the correct information.
Choice of Equipment
Equipment for starting an ice cream shop is varied. However, you need to choose the most durable ones. These should come with at least a 6-month warranty.
These consist of light as well as heavy equipment. If you are working on a tight budget, you may want to consider the leasing alternative. This saves you money and is ideal for starters.
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Types of Equipment
Anyone interested in starting an ice cream shop will need the following equipment; ice cream cone dispensers, ice cream dipper station, topping dispensers, ice cream servers, soda fountain, cold topping counter, and ice cream shop POS machine, and an ice cream batch freezer.
Other equally valuable equipment for an ice cream shop are; a dipping cabinet, an ice cream machine, an ice cream and novelties merchandiser, and an ice cream hardening and holding cabinet.
It would be best if you also got serving dishes, napkin holders, and a shake freezer. These are essential to running a successful ice cream shop. They make your work much easier and more efficient.
What do you Want; Franchise or Independent Ice Cream Shop?
You can choose between buying an ice cream franchise or building one from scratch. If you prefer the franchise option, you will have to follow a laid down procedure in running the franchise. This option is more expensive for those with a tight budget. The franchise fee is likely to cover equipment and other business aspects.
On the other hand, starting an ice cream shop comes with more significant challenges. If the word “challenges” scares you, the business may not suit you.
Every business, including an ice cream shop, presents its challenges. It would be best to brave these challenges to operate a successful business.
You will need to set up all the structure yourself, unlike a franchise where most work has been done.
Choosing a Location for your Ice Cream Store
The level of patronage you attract depends mainly on your business location.
Convenience is an essential factor to consider. Ice cream shops located in areas removed from the hustle and bustle of the general direction of traffic will hardly attract patronage.
In other words, you need to choose areas with dense foot traffic. This enhances patronage. Such may include malls, airports, sports centers, etc.
Choice of a Business Structure
A business structure does many things to a business. Apart from the convenience it brings, it streamlines operations too.
Other benefits include the capacity to operate in multiple locations, simplifying the decision-making process, and defining your legal status.
Some of the most common structures are sole proprietorships (familiar with small business owners), LLCs, Partnerships, and more.
It would be best to decide based on what legal structure best fits your business. You may want to seek legal advice before choosing a design for your ice cream shop business.
There are many things to consider before setting up an ice cream shop.
This ice cream shop business plan sample has offered helpful tips on achieving this. It highlights some of the most critical sections of a plan that you must not ignore.
Also, we have provided you with the essential equipment you need to purchase. These help in no small measure by enhancing efficiency.