How To Start Selling Ice Cream On The Street

Starting an ice cream truck or cart business is one way to sell ice cream on the street. It is a wise decision because you can always move if one location is not bringing in enough money. It’s very convenient for your customers because you can be almost anywhere to give them a cold, tasty treat when they need it. 

To start selling ice cream on the street, you must choose between an ice cream truck or a cart as your business, decide whether you want to franchise or be independent, choose your location, obtain the license requirements for your business, and decide what type of ice cream you will sell.

Continue reading to learn more about selling ice cream on the street if you are considering doing so as a business.

Choose between an ice cream truck or a cart

There is no “correct” answer when deciding between a truck or a cart; it all depends on your objectives.

Ice cream truck – An ice cream truck gives you the most mobility. Anywhere you can drive your truck, you can serve ice cream. Additionally, it gives you the option of purchasing more advanced equipment and perhaps including additional goods that you can sell, like recently made waffle cones.

The two biggest drawbacks are that sometimes you can’t access certain places, like a boardwalk, and it might be more expensive to purchase and maintain a truck.

Ice cream carts – These have the lowest startup costs, are the simplest to use, and require the least upkeep. Most of the time, you make or purchase your ice cream in advance and store it in a freezer box that you can move around. 

To get it there, you might need a truck, but once you get there, you’ll have more freedom to move around. Ice cream carts are typically found at events like fairs, carnivals, and festivals.

Decide if you will franchise or be independent

You must determine which business format is best for your situation. One of the most significant benefits of investing in an ice cream truck franchise is that you are stepping into the shoes of an already established and/or successful business.

Meanwhile, the main benefit of being independent is that you can set your own rules and are not subject to anyone else’s rules. Additionally, your initial costs are lower, but there isn’t much consumer familiarity with your brand. Simply put, you will need to put in more effort at first.

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Decide on your location

Because your business has no permanent location, you must always be on the lookout for a good spot to set up for the day. When choosing a location, consider whether or not other ice cream trucks or carts are already competing for customers, as well as the peak hours for customers in that area. 

Office parks, shopping malls, sports venues, festivals, beaches, college campuses, and business districts are all examples of proven locations.

Obtain license requirements for your business

All businesses require licenses to operate legally. Mobile ice cream businesses must also obtain licenses from all cities and counties in which they operate. For example, you should check with your city hall to ensure that the area where you will be selling is zoned for food vending. 

A zoning permit is not required if you will be staying in one location for less than 10 minutes. Furthermore, ensure that you are adhering to all health code requirements, such as keeping food at the proper temperature and minimizing the amount of product handling.

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Decide what type of ice cream you will sell 

Prepackaged ice cream, also referred to as novelties, is the simplest kind to sell. It eases inventory management concerns and lowers concerns about food handling. However, your earning potential is higher if you sell soft serve or scooped ice cream. 

Additionally, there are more ice cream flavors and ice cream creations you can sell. For instance, you could create custom ice cream sandwiches where the cookie and ice cream choices are both up to the customer.

Conclusion

To start selling ice cream on the street, you must choose between an ice cream truck or a cart as your business, decide whether you want to franchise or be independent, choose your location, obtain the license requirements for your business, and decide what type of ice cream you will sell. It takes a lot of work to start selling ice cream on the street, but if you do it right, it’s not only rewarding but also a lot of fun.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.