10 secrets of ice cream truck drivers

01 Apr 10 secrets of ice cream truck drivers

Today, ice cream trucks run from May to October hoping to attract customers to make an impulsive purchase. To get a better idea of ​​what goes into making ice cream a portable business, here is the inner scoop after talking to some owners about getting them out of everything, from ideal weather conditions to police meetings.

1. It can be too hot for business

The most usual misconception about the ice cream truck business? This increase in temperatures means an increase in profits. Record increases could mean lower profits. When it’s really hot, like 90 or 100 degrees outside, sales go down a lot. People are not outside. They are indoors with air conditioning. I’m suffering and sales are suffering. Ideal temperature? A day at 75 degrees. it’s perfect.

2. They just don’t wander around the neighbourhood anymore

Days of driving a few miles per hour on a residential road hoping for a hungry clientele are reduced by the wayside. Many vendors, including Mountain, make up half or more of their business by arranging for planned stops at events such as weddings, employee picnics, or school functions. You can do birthday parties, corporate, weddings & events, school, etc. Customers can pay in advance, which means that all visitors must place an order from the menu.

3. A minibus works in the place of a truck

For translucent ice cream horsepower, nothing beats a minibus. You can use an airport-style boat for your inventory. Instead of one or two freezers, you can put three. Most importantly, the extra space means you don’t have to spend the day bending over. You can stand up straight.

4. They have a secret stock of ice cream to give away to special customers

The goal of any truck is to sell plenty of ice cream to justify the time and expense of doing it, so freebies don’t make much sense – unless the truck has any damaged product. Is common for some pre-packaged rods to break inside the wrappers, making them unattractive for sale. You set these bars aside only for kids who know the result. 

5. They’re creating custom ice cream menus

While pre-packaged ice cream sandwiches and Popsicles continue as perennial vendors, a number of trucks are mixing the business by offering foods of one kind. An owner serves Ice Cream Nachos, a signature dish that sells everything made by Nestle. Cinnamon chips with your choice of ice cream. You also get whipped cream. And for the ‘cheese’, it is a caramel-chocolate sauce. Nachos work because they are “street food”.

6. They don’t always play the famous jingle

Before most people see an ice cream truck, they hear that familiar tin melody. While some operators still rely on her for her familiarity, others prefer more modern tracks. Normally they play ’80s rock. Or whatever they like to play that day. They rock it out.

7. Pop culture characters are some of their best sellers.

While adult customers tend to favor the ice cream flavors they remember from their youth, kids who don’t really know nostalgia tend to like items stamped with the similarities and trademarks of licensed characters currently occupying their television screens. and local theatres. Characters are best known to children like “SpongeBob, Minions, and Captain America.”

8. They keep dog food handy.

A strategy for enticing customers with pets: She holds dog food on hand. The dog will sometimes come to us before the owner does. If the dog comes to the truck, he will get a Milkbone. This often leads to a human companion buying a gift for themselves too.

9. Sometimes rivals will call the cops.

Although there have been stories of fraudulent ice cream vendors competing aggressively for neighborhood space over the years. Ice cream truck drivers tend to be a bit more passive-aggressive than that. They try to get the police to get you out of town. Fortunately, the police usually do not write drivers about the violation.

10. Some lucky customers may have home delivery by an app 

Technology has impacted everything and ice cream trucks are no exception. You can use an app that allows customers to request that they make a special delivery. People can ask and you immediately pull out of their home. If their parents are at home, there is an added benefit: “I accept credit cards”.