Ice cream or gelato display cases show off the variety of products at your ice cream shop. They are essential at all ice cream stores. When business owners are considering the purchase of ice cream display cases, pricing and costs are a major factor.

There are many factors that affect the cost of an ice cream case, so business owners need to make sure they know ahead of time what they are looking for and what types of ice cream freezer display cases will work best in their store.

Some things to consider when shopping for ice cream display freezers are:

1. Shipping costs. It can be quite costly to ship an ice cream store display. Business owners may want to seek out local suppliers to see if they can save on the costs of shipping.

2. Size. Business owners should also consider the size of the gelato-ice cream display that they purchase. Larger display cases will take up more space and use more energy. It's best to purchase the smallest display case that you can.

3. Function. Some types of commercial ice cream display cases only allow customers to view the selections available. Other freezers are self-serve.

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Purchase ice cream display cases for your business

Whether you only sell ice cream or sell a wide range of products, a good ice cream display case will show off your wares. Look for cases that are durable and have the look that you desire for your store.

I recommend: ACityDiscount.com sells self-serve ice cream display cases at prices just under $10,000 – a discount of over $5,000. Restaurant-Services.com sells a variety of freezers that are suitable for ice cream, from glass front display freezers, starting at less that $1,000 to gelato cases around $7,000.

Consider leasing an ice cream display case

New businesses may not have the startup capital to purchase an ice cream case outright. They can still do business when they lease an ice cream or gelato display case. Monthly payments may be much more affordable to many small business owners.

I recommend: At CKitchen.com, you can lease a gelato display case from as little as $98 per month. Gold Star Restaurant Equipment and Supply leases display freezers from $89 to $235 per month. Download their leasing catalog from the site.

Save money with a used ice cream case

You can purchase a used ice cream freezer for a fraction of the cost of a new one. While it may be difficult to find exactly what you're looking for, by keeping an eye out for deals, you'll save big.

I recommend: Bid on Equipment lists used ice cream freezers in an auction format. Minimum bids on the auctions are half the original price. Equipment & Concepts specializes in gelato and ice cream equipment and has a network of suppliers that they can search if they don't have what you're looking for in stock.

Most everyone loves ice cream, but help boost your sales even more with the right ice cream display cases. Ice cream and its Italian counterpart, gelato, look appealing all by themselves but need display and dipping cases that maintain proper temperatures, allow for customer viewing and self service when needed, look good and contain plenty of storage space.

Gelato and ice cream display cases do not come cheap, so you should really do your research before you buy. Some criteria to consider when purchasing a display case include:

1. Check out warranty information on each ice cream case that interests you.

2. Look for lighted ice cream display cases that give customers the best possible view of your products.

3. Measure the available space for your ice cream display case before you shop since they take up a significant amount of space.

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Capture your impulse buyers with prominent ice cream displays

If you want extra sales for your ice cream shop, gas station or small grocery store, play to the impulse buyer and station an open or closed freezer display case near your cash register or in a prominent place that receives heavy foot traffic. Even though someone enters your store thinking he'll just get an ice cream cone, he may buy that and more if he sees prepackaged ice cream sandwiches and ice cream cakes staring back at him. Also consider using one of these self-serve display cases to highlight new ice cream products when they first hit your store.

I recommend: Consider the Master-Bilt ice cream display merchandiser at ACityDiscount; this efficient and easy-to-maintain ice cream freezer display makes it easy and tempting for customers to grab one of your pre-packaged ice cream cakes or novelties before they pay for their sundae. If you prefer a horizontal display case, check out the Master-Bilt ice cream freezer display cases at ChefsFirst; they provide free shipping, and you should also ask them about other brands of ice cream display freezers they carry but don't show on their website.

Order gelato display cases to show off your selection

Gelato makes an excellent alternative to ice cream since it doesn't contain cream and therefore often comes with fewer calories. You can serve gelato and ice cream, but gelato requires slightly warmer temperatures than the latter, so you'll need separate ice cream and gelato show cases.

I recommend: Pick the color and shape you like for your Aspen gelato display case at Machine Ice Company; their cases hold between 12 and 24 gelato containers. Go to Fun Food Depot to order the Gel6 gelato display and dipping case; the case lets you store two levels of 12 pans stacked on top of each other and comes with a stainless steel front panel for easy clean up.

Find an ice cream display case with dipping cabinet that fits in your store or restaurant

Look for ice cream show cases that suit the nature of your business, whether you operate an ice cream store, gas station, convenience store or grocery store.

I recommend: If your customers scoop their own ice cream in your restaurant or store, order the small ice cream store display and dipping cabinet at BigTray, and you won't pay freight costs. This ice cream display cabinet holds four ice cream containers, includes fluorescent interior lighting and comes with a one-year parts and labor warranty and five-year compressor warranty. Visit Gold Star Restaurant Equipment & Supply to see sales and lease prices for their Hussman commercial ice cream display cases; these ice cream store fixtures also come with a one-year warranty for parts and labor and a five-year warranty on the compressor.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you operate an ice cream store, consider purchasing multi-plexing ice cream display cases that join together for a uniform and tailored look.

If you're renovating your business and need to upgrade your ice cream freezer display cases, check out the latest models that ice cream equipment manufacturers are offering. You're no longer limited to the classic flat-topped stainless steel box that has become a staple of convenience stores everywhere. Today's ice cream display cases can show off fancy European-style gelato and can even convert into deli boxes. Storing ice cream canisters is no problem when you opt for heavy duty ice cream display cases that feature dipping cabinets.

Whatever your preference, survey the most popular ice cream display cases types and styles when you check out the links below:

1. Consider the very latest technology when it comes to sleek-looking gelato show cases.

2. Decide on traditional single compartment flat or curvy topped ice cream display cases.

3. Get maximum storage capacity when you choose ice cream display cases equipped with dipping cabinets.

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Look at European-manufactured gelato ice cream display cases

There's lots to choose from when it comes to gelato ice cream display types. Get either aluminum or stainless steel models, single or double climate controlled compartments or curved or square-cornered styles.

I recommend: Choose from seven different models at Bravo-Systems International. Four popular models of the gelato ice cream display are sold by Sevelusa, a leading American ice cream display case supplier that gets high marks for outstanding customer service. Consider the convertible gelato display cases at Oscartielle. Most of the standard models at Villa Dolce Italian Gelato are available in different colors.

Keep it simple with flat or curved-topped ice cream display cases

These heavy-duty display cases fit neatly into even the tiniest convenience stands. Industrial-grade cooling systems with built-in thermometers guarantee safe storage of your ice cream products.

I recommend: The turbo ice cream slide top freezer at Gala Source has a 9 cubic foot capacity. There are standard and deluxe models at Restaurant Services and some are available with optional curved sliding covers. Standard and curved models at Ice Cream Equipment World come in capacities ranging from 5- to 13-cubic feet. The straightforward, 7-cubic foot model at Canning Pantry comes with heavy duty rolling casters.

Select from ice cream display freezers with built-in dipping cabinets

Most ice cream case freezers with dipping cabinets hold 16 three-gallon ice cream canisters and have built-in lower level storage space for an extra 12 cans.

I recommend: Curved, glass-top dipping cabinets at The Webstaurant Store have four locking casters. Models at Select Appliance feature interior canopy lighting and improved lid designs. The ice cream dipping display cabinet at Prima Supply has a connection allowing you to hook up a garden hose for easy clean up.

If you're in the ice cream business, a good quality ice cream display case is needed to keep your product fresh and show it off. Finding the right display case can be a challenge. Cases for novelty items and scoopable ice cream vary widely, so learn what type of case works best for each.

Understand a few basic ice cream display and freezer case terms to help you choose a case that meets your needs.

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Dipping cabinet

A dipping cabinet is the basic ice cream freezer used for dishing up ice cream to customers. The cabinet is usually a chest-style freezer with a clear viewing area so customers can easily see all the flavors and you can easily dish up their ice cream.

I recommend: The Turn Key Parlor sells many types of ice cream freezers including the dipping chest. Their product description explains the benefits of the cabinet.

Dipper station or well

The dipper well or dipper station is a container used to catch overflow of ice cream. The well, or sink, is a tub shape and usually includes a water spout and drain for cleaning ice cream scoops or spades. Cleaning spades between scoops prevents cross contamination of flavors and keeps your ice cream safe.

I recommend: Read about the dipper station or dipper well at Restaurant Source.

Display merchandisers

A display merchandiser for ice cream is a freezer case with easy access for customers. Only packaged ice cream treats should be placed in merchandisers to which customers have individual access.

I recommend: Display merchandisers are available at ACityDiscount.com. The website offers explanations with each type of merchandiser available.

Gelato

Gelato is a type of frozen dairy with significant differences from ice cream. It is served a little warmer and tends to be much softer than a full-fat dairy ice cream. Gelato cases must be kept about 10 to 15 degrees warmer than ice cream to stay at it's optimal serving temperature. Special gelato cases should be used to serve and display it.

I recommend: Read about Gelato at Cafe Gelato.

Novelty display

An ice cream freezer that displays ice cream treats is considered a novelty display. The freezer has shelves for different products and is usually accessible from the front for easy access by customers and back for easy stocking by store employees.

I recommend: The novelty display is explained at the Ice Cream Equipment World website product information page.

Self-contained refrigeration

An ice cream display case must have some kind of refrigeration system providing the cold air that keeps your ice cream cold. Most display cases need to have self-contained refrigeration, meaning the cooling system is contained inside the unit. If the system is not contained within the unit, extra room is needed to store the motor, compressor and cooling system next to the display.

I recommend: The self-contained refrigeration unit is explained at Kitchen.com in the ice cream display product information.