30 Apr Some Advice For a Successful Ice Cream Truck Business
Starting an ice cream truck business can be a great choice for an entrepreneur starting a career. If you want to learn how to start an ice cream truck business, take a look at these tips:
1. Evaluate the resources you need to start your own ice cream truck business
The most important asset you need to start your ice cream truck business is, surprisingly, the truck itself. You should look into buying a used ice cream truck that has refrigeration installed. If you are unable to find one that meets your needs, you will need to purchase a ladder truck or van and make the necessary changes. Other costs when starting an ice cream truck business involve the permits and licenses required to operate. These costs will range depending on the location of your ice cream truck and the local laws that the government has set. Also, consult your insurance company to get an insurance quote for your ice cream truck. If you are planning to start an ice cream truck business, at least initially, you will not need to budget for labor costs. But if you want to hire staff to serve ice cream, be sure to consider those costs in your start-up budget as well.
2. Choose What Type of Ice Cream You Want to Sell
While most traditional ice cream trucks sell ice cream novelties, some do well by selling soft-serve ice cream or hard ice cream. Innovations are by far the easiest choice as the main requirement is ample freezing space. It also reduces some of the food handling worries that come with running an ice cream truck business as the ice cream is pre-packaged. Your inventory will also be easier to manage and keep under control. If you are starting an ice cream truck business, this is one aspect you will want to decide on. Consider your options carefully because it will have a profound impact on everything from your brand to the demographics that attract you and most importantly to your bottom line.
3. Choose and Purchase Your Equipment
Among the equipment you will need to consider when starting an ice cream truck business is a base register. We know most ice cream trucks pass by with a calculator and a money box. It all comes down to the long-term business goals you want to achieve. If the goal of your ice cream truck business is to become a thriving, profitable venture, you need to keep a record of your data.
If you have decided to serve one of the types of ice cream, you will need the right equipment to create and distribute ice cream. You will also need a generator to keep all of these devices running. Another option is an inverter, which converts the 12-volt power of your truck battery to the 110 volts needed to supply ice cream condensers and ice machines.
4. Plan Your Route
The clear choices for an ice cream truck route are stopping points at nearby schools, parks, and music and sporting venues. However, before you make plans to set up a shop in the parking lot of the nearest park, check your town’s regulations to see if this is allowed. You also need to be sure you’re not trying to poach on a route already established by another ice cream truck. Make your research to ensure that you can find a profitable and legal route in your area.
5. Choose your vendors and plan for inventory storage
Since ice cream and ice cream novelties are readily available, you can shop to find the items you need at the best prices. Look at commercial sellers to give you the best possible profit margin. This is a good last-minute option for a sales surgeon on a hot summer day.
6. Get the necessary permits and licenses
You need to put your truck in gear, but before that, you need to learn how to get a business license. So contact your county clerk’s office or another suitable government office to apply for one. Sometimes, you have to pass a written exam to get the licenses that are required.
7. Comply with all Local Health Department Regulations
Even if you are selling pre-packaged innovations, you will need to meet the requirements of your local health department. These usually exceed the licenses and permits you have already dealt with, although there may be overlap. Start with your city’s health department to learn the regulations you will work with and what you need to do to comply. If you only sell pre-packaged ice cream products, you are probably exempt from food handling regulations.
8. Purchase the Appropriate Insurance
An ice cream truck business like any food truck business requires some kind of business insurance standard. Make sure you have general liability insurance and business owner insurance. Also, if you have employees, you need employee compensation and disability insurance.
9. Advertise Your Ice Cream Truck Business
You also have to provide an advertisement every time you drive around the city. That’s probably not enough, but worth it. But don’t do just that, you have to think to be more creatively about how to advertise your ice cream truck business.
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