Space is a significant consideration when deciding where to locate your ice cream shop. Sales and operations will be limited if you pick a location that is too small while choosing one that is too large will result in wasted money on rent.
An ice cream shop that also offers takeout needs at least 50 square meters of space. To know how much space you need for your ice cream shop, you should evaluate the floor area, the floor plan, the location, and your budget.
Here are some things to think about when deciding how much space your ice cream shop needs.
Floor Area
The appropriate size of the floor area is the first thing that should come to your mind when choosing your commercial space or building your store. How much floor area can you afford without incurring an excessive amount of overhead costs and without having a store that appears to be empty most of the time?
Do some research on the cost per square foot of other stores that you find inspiring, and think about the amount of inventory you will use Then, compare your findings to see if you should look for stores that have a comparable amount of floor area.
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Floor Plan
Your ice cream shop’s floor plans and blueprints are maps that detail every square inch of the space, including the interior and outdoor areas. They enable you to visualize how the various areas of your shop connect and work together.
The following features should be included on the floor plan of an ice cream shop:
- Preparation areas
- Kitchen area
- Waiting areas
- Dining and seating areas
- Staff areas and office rooms
- Restrooms
- POS system and cashier stations
- Washing areas
- Doors and windows
- Emergency Exits
Think about how much space a typical business uses while analyzing your floor plans. Total Food Service claims that this industry follows a “60/40 model,” with 60% of the space dedicated to customers and seating, and 40% to food preparation, serving, and cleaning.
Next, determine how many people can be comfortably accommodated in your space by referring to the applicable local codes. These will be different depending on what kind of building and its lcoation, but we advise the following capacity per guest in these types of establishments.
- Fast Food Chains: 11-14 square feet
- Full-Service: 12-15 square feet
- Counter-Service: 18-20 square feet
The model might be a little different for a small business like an ice cream shop. In a 1200-square-foot ice cream shop, guests would have about 720 square feet of space, and a counter-service shop could fit up to 40 people. About 18 square feet would be set aside for each guest.
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Business Location
When you are trying to identify the appropriate amount of space for your ice cream business, another factor to take into consideration is its location. Places with high foot traffic and high levels of popularity typically command a higher price per square foot.
On the other hand, the enormous number of customers you serve can make your need for a larger facility necessary. Most of the time, shopping centers provide an excellent balance of foot traffic and economical use of space.
Keep in mind that you are going to be living in this location for the next five years, and because of this, you shouldn’t budget for the costs that are in effect right now; instead, you should allocate for the values that will be in effect in five years.
Business Budget
Even while there is an ideal size of floor area, this does not indicate that one can always afford its price. Because of this, you need to take into account your financial constraints. After determining how much normal floor space costs and how much floor space you require, choose a budget and stick to it.
Never sign a lease for a retail space that is more expensive than you can reasonably afford. Consult a professional accountant if you need assistance calculating the monthly amount of rent or mortgage payments that you can afford to pay while still making a profit.
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Conclusion
An ice cream shop needs at least 50 square meters of space. To know how much space you need for your ice cream shop, you should analyze the floor area, the floor plan, the location, and your budget. With this information, you can estimate how much space your ice cream shop will require. Ensure that your team has all the space necessary for success. Store operations will run smoothly if you plan the spaces in your shop properly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Small and medium-sized business (SMBs) is considered small and mid-sized firms. In general, a company with 100 or fewer people is considered small, but one with 100 to 999 employees is considered medium-sized.
Consider putting up your store near restaurants, parks, fields, the beach, or other areas frequented by families with children.
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.