Opening my ice cream shop is a real CREAM come true!
Starting a business of any kind is quite an exciting adventure. You’ll have to brainstorm unique ways to make your business stand out. And for an ice cream shop, there is a myriad of sweet and creative ways to make your shop stand out.
In this post, we’ll talk about 20 unique ideas for your ice cream business. So, buckle up, the parade is starting, and I don’t want to miss the ICE CREAM float.
There are 13 unique Ice Cream Business ideas:
- Maker it Instagrammable
- Go Beyond Ice Cream
- Start a Vegan Ice Cream Business
- Make it the More the Merrier
- Try a Classic, Old Fashioned Fountain
- Pile on the Soft Serve
- Ice Cream Party Business
- Serve Seasonal Flavors
- Create a Sundae Bar Experience
- Go Plant-Based
- Sell Pet-Friendly Ice Cream
- Deep-Fried Ice Cream
- Give a Thought to Presentation
Make it Instagrammable
Make your business-certified Instagram feed worthy. And I mean everything. From your shop interior to the ice cream you serve.
Just like #OOTDs, your ice cream business should make the #ICOTD (Ice Cream Of The Day) trend. This will make your ice cream shop stand out and help you attract more customers.
For example, to make your ice cream Instagrammable, do easy things like heaping your sundaes higher and adding additional toppings, that way the ice cream will be more camera and social-media-worthy.
This is a certified inexpensive but effective way to market your ice cream business. The more your ice cream shop trends, the more people you will reach.
Go Beyond Ice Cream
No one is impressed by just one option. You need to offer more options than ice cream that will cater to everyone’s distinct taste buds.
You can offer these other 5 types of ice cream:
- Gelato – This is an Italian type of ice cream that offers lower fat content, less sugar, and fewer calories, making it perfect for your customers that are on diet.
- Frozen Yogurt – This is a popular alternative to ice cream, and has a lower fat percentage.
- Sorbet – This is a flavorful and light frozen treat made from frozen berries.
- Sherbet – Quite similar to sorbet. The only difference is that sherbet contains dairy.
Including them on your menu will give your customers more alternatives and will set your ice cream business apart from the competition.
Start a Vegan Ice Cream Business
You need to SQUASH the competition!
In comparison to traditional ice cream, vegan ice cream has fewer rivals. That’s why it is a viable option to open a vegan ice cream shop or include vegan ice cream options on your menu.
Also, more people are switching to vegan, non-dairy ice cream because of its health benefits:
- Healthier and Glowing Skin
- Allergic Reaction Prevention
- Hair Growth
- Energy Booster
You can try simple ice cream recipes like Jessica in the Kitchen’s vegan ice cream which uses only 5 ingredients: cashews, vanilla bean, coconut milk, sugar, and sea salt.
Make it the More the Merrier
Again, as I stated, people want more options. Aside from serving different types of ice cream, you can also offer as many flavors as you can.
You can make your ice cream store stand out by making it the best ice cream shop in town with the most flavors available. And you wouldn’t have a problem because the options are limitless. You can serve classic popular flavors such as chocolate and vanilla, as well as innovative flavors like mint, coffee and doughnut, and others.
Try a Classic, Old Fashioned Fountain
Soda fountains were the usual go-to places for teens and young adults in the 1950s. These classic shops offered milkshakes, soft drinks, and ice cream.
Going classic and trying an old-fashioned fountain will draw individuals of different ages who want to relive their greatest days with classic ice cream or experience the old times of hanging out and ice cream.
Do you still have a rough idea? You can check these modern soda shops for inspiration:
Pile on the Soft Serve
Soft-serve is the first thing that comes to my mind whenever I think of treating myself to ice cream. I bet it’s the same for you.
Soft-serve is popular due to its smooth texture and delectable swirls. Soft-serve is so popular that it can be found in practically any ice cream establishment. So, if you want to maintain a competitive advantage, your ice cream shop should offer a soft serve.
Start An Ice Cream Party Business
Consider creating an ice cream party business if you want a more enjoyable and vibrant ice cream business. It is an excellent approach to broadening your business connections and community engagement.
You can find inspiration from popular and successful shops that offer ice cream party services like Recess Truck Ice Cream, Popcorn Lady, and Dippin’ Dots.
Serve Seasonal Flavors
Seasonal flavors should be available at your ice cream shop, just as Starbucks does with its Santa Claus Frappuccino and Peppermint Mocha.
Consider providing seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice and peppermint to your customers. By doing so, your ice cream store will have the opportunity to be recognized as the ice cream shop that offers flavors for every season.
You can check out Jeni’s holiday ice cream flavors for inspiration. They have the perfect delectable for every season and occasion like their Thanksgiving Collection.
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Create a Sundae Bar Experience
You might consider developing a sundae bar for your customers to elevate their ice cream experience. This will add more excitement and originality to your store, promoting a great customer experience.
You can follow these tips for a sundae bar:
- Pick the Perfect Ice Cream Flavors
- Have Your Ice Cream Pre-scooped
- Choose the Right Ice Cream Cups
- Include Baked Goods
- Add Nuts as Toppings
- Put Extra Toppings
- Add Whipped Cream
Go Plant-Based
Going plant-based is another approach to separate your ice cream store. This gives the impression that, unlike your rivals, you care about the environment and the health of your customers.
You can start by switching to:
Sell Pet-Friendly Ice Cream
Hoomans are not your only customers. You also have to consider our four-legged best friends, our pets!
To make your ice cream shop stand out, you must also offer treats for pets. This will bring more pet owners to your ice cream establishment.
You can start by following Bigger Bolder Baking’s pet-friendly ice cream recipe.
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Deep-Fried Ice Cream
You asked for unique ideas, well here it is. I’m sure the words “deep-fried” piqued your interest.
Although it’s not that new, fried-ice cream is not something you’ll see everywhere. And for that reason, you should have this on your menu. Having this on your menu will surely attract customers and make them say “I need to try that!”
You can check out Allrecipes’ fried ice cream recipe for ideas.
Give a Thought to Presentation
Cones are like celebrities because they are the source of the SCOOP! And it’s true, the cone is one of the first things people notice when buying ice cream. For that reason, you must ensure that your ice cream cone is not only tasty but also Instagram-worthy.
You can find cone inspirations from these ice cream shops:
Aside from your ice cream cones, you can also improve your presentation by using eye-catching ice cream packaging and beautiful toppings. For the packaging, you can go with consistent, eye-catching designs. And for the toppings, you can go as creative as you can.
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Conclusión
In conclusion, these are the 13 unique ideas for your ice cream business:
- Make it Instagrammable – Make your ice cream good for your customer’s Instagram feed.
- Go Beyond Ice Cream – Offer other types of ice cream like gelato, sherbert, sorbet, and frozen yogurt.
- Start a Vegan Ice Cream Business – Include vegan ice cream on your menu.
- Make it the More the Merrier – More flavors mean more options for customers.
- Try a Classic, Old Fashioned Fountain – Go back to the classics.
- Pile on the Soft-Serve – Don’t forget to include soft-serve on the menu.
- Ice Cream Party Business – Offer ice cream catering services.
- Serve Seasonal Flavors – Serve flavors for every season.
- Create a Sundae Bar Experience – Make a spectacular sundae bar for customers.
- Go Plant-Based – Switch to plant-based packaging and plant-based ice cream.
- Sell Pet-Friendly Ice Cream – Offer ice cream treats for pets.
- Deep-Fried Ice Cream – Not everyone has it, so you better have it.
- Give a Thought to Presentation – Make the cones snap-worthy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
To attract customers to your ice cream shop, you can do things like 1)Upselling to customers, 2)Whipping up new flavors, 3)Getting gimmicky, 4)Hosting parties and community events, and 3)Creating a tasting bar.
Here are some tips you can follow to make your ice cream business stand out: 1)Do Seasonal Promotions, 2)Make Your Menu Unique, 3)Build a Welcoming Dining Area, and 4)Establish a Strong Relationship With Your Customers.
Ice cream is the first thing anyone can think of, but you can also sell: 1)Milkshakes, 2)Coffee, 3)Donuts, 4)Soft drinks, and 5)Frozen yogurt.
To learn more on how to start your own ice cream/gelato business check out my startup documents here
This blog post is provided for informational purposes only. The information contained is not intended to constitute legal advice or to substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney.
Hi! I am Shawn and I am a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online ice cream/gelato business resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a ice cream/gelato business owner, I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Ice Cream Business Boss: I want to help ice cream and gelato business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.