We all know that ice cream is everybody’s favorite dessert and it’s an in-demand frozen treat all year round. But have you ever wondered what day of the week the most ice cream is sold? Sure, there’s that one day of the week that stands out among the others in terms of sales.
Most ice creams are sold on Sunday, making it the most profitable day for vendors. Ice cream is in demand every day but people believe that Sunday is the perfect day to relax and give in to your sweet tooth ice cream indulgence after a long week of hustle.
There is no specific reason why people love to eat more ice cream on Sundays. But these two have a great connection starting from the different historical versions of its etymology down to the declaration of National Ice Cream Day.
By Etymology, Sundae was Adapted from Sunday
Many believe that Sundae ice cream got its name from Sunday. In the 1800s, drinking soda and liquor on Sunday (Sabbath to most religions) was illegal as a result of the Blue Law. This became a dilemma for pharmacists who sell ice cream soda. So to convince people to buy and eat ice cream on Sundays, the pharmacists dropped the soda and replaced it with chocolate sauce.
As a marketing strategy, they named the new ice cream concoction “sundae” because it was sold only on Sundays. In addition, the name aimed to educate people that it’s not illegal to eat ice cream on this particular day, and tweaking its spelling makes it less offensive to both the religious sector and the government.
Others also believe that it may have even gotten its name because the ice cream used to make sundaes are left over from Sunday which was sold the following day. There are different versions of the story but one thing’s for sure, ice cream sundaes are delicious and that’s a fact.
Can you Sell Ice Cream from Anywhere?
- Other Versions of how Sundaes got its Name from Sunday comes to Light
One of the most famous versions is from Ithaca, New York. On one spring Sunday in 1892, a minister ordered a serving of vanilla ice cream from Chester C. Platt in which the latter added cherries and cherry syrup on top. The minister loved the addition and suggested that the ice cream variant should be named on the day it was discovered. They changed the spelling to sundae to not offend the church leaders.
Plainfield Illinois also claims to be the origin of sundae ice cream. According to stories, Charles Sonntag discovered sundae ice cream and named it after his surname which means “Sunday” in German. He later altered the spelling to “sundae”.
National Ice Cream Day falls every Sunday
National Ice Cream Day is commemorated every third Sunday of July, also decreed as National Ice Cream month. Former President Reagan wanted to honor a day dedicated to the treat that won the hearts of more than 90% of the American Population. In 1984, the holiday became official and is celebrated every year. It also sparked global popularity and introduced ice cream cravings to the rest of the world.
Time Of Year When The Most Ice Cream Is Sold
- Sunday is Family Day
Sunday is family day for most households. During weekdays, the kids are busy with school while the parents are busy juggling their time on work, parenthood, and spouse hood. Weekends are considered rest days for most, but Sunday is specially allotted for family bonding and catching up. This is probably one of the reasons why most ice creams are sold on Sundays because family days call for an ice cream day.
According to reports, families are the primary ice cream consumers in retail. Another data that validates this claim indicates that households with kids eat more ice cream by 34%. Sunday, being the only day of the week when family members come to eat together, ice cream is the best treat to eat while catching up. Plus, it’s everybody’s favorite dessert!
- Sunday is for Indulgence, Relaxation, and Celebrations
Weekends are considered rest days for most of us. Saturdays are usually spent on coffee, lunches, and late nights while Sundays are the perfect time to relax, lounge, be lazy, and indulge in what makes us happy. This is one of the reasons why ice cream sales are at their peak on Sundays.
Admit it or not, we all love to chill in our pajamas and run a movie marathon with a tub of ice cream. Religious families often go to mass, eat out for lunch and wrap up their Sunday bonding experience with cups of ice cream as dessert. Others go to malls, shop, pamper themselves in a spa, and then eat delicious ice cream bought from kiosks. Whatever itinerary you have planned on Sundays, it’s never complete without ice cream.
Conclusion
Undeniably, most ice creams are sold on Sunday, and ice cream vendors brace for their most profitable day knowing that it’s going to be a hectic day scooping ice creams and accommodating buyers all day long.
Ice cream and Sunday are connected in one way or another from history, National Ice Cream Day, down to the traditional family day. There may be no definite data that supports the theories but we all know deep within that everyone loves ice cream the most on Sundays when we get to share it with our loved ones.
Ice Cream Trucks are This Profitable
Frequently Asked Questions
According to research, ice cream consumption is at its highest during July and August. July, being National Ice Cream month, is the busiest month for ice cream producers. They manufacture almost ⅗ of the total annual production volume.
On July 24, 1988, Mike was hailed Ice Cream King when he set the record for the biggest ice cream sundae. He set up a temporary pool on a mall’s main floor where he dumped 54,917 pounds of ice cream.
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.