In 2006, sales of ice cream and frozen desserts reached $23 billion, making it tempting to give a serious look at ice cream vending carts pricing and costs. Americans spent $13.9 billion on ice cream and frozen treats away from home...And, besides, who doesn't love to see an ice cream cart on a summer day?

There are a variety of types of ice cream vending carts available and lots of ways to set up your ice cream business. To begin, look at the following areas:

1. Do you want a nostalgic or modern ice cream cart design? A push vehicle or a bicycle-run cart? A machine with dry ice or a battery?

2. What sorts of accessories do you want for your ice cream vending equipment?

3. What are the ongoing costs of running an ice cream cart business?

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Explore a modern push ice cream vending cart

A modern 8 cubic feet push-style ice cream vending cart of stainless steel runs about $1,000 to $1,800. A cart that's 12 cubic feet costs around $2,000 to $4,000, depending on whether it uses dry ice or mechanical refrigeration.

I recommend: 800BuyCart.com carries stainless steel push carts for ice cream in a variety of sizes All Star Carts and Vehicles offers ice cream vending carts in nearly every imaginable size and type.

Consider an old-style mobile ice cream cart

Ice cream and nostalgia go hand in hand. Play up on your customers' childhood memories by using a vintage-style ice cream vending cart. Carts pulled by bicycle run about $2,000 to $2,500 (not including the bike). Carts with bikes built in them cost about $3,000 to $3,600.

I recommend: Worksman Trading carries several types of bicycle-pulled ice cream carts. For carts with built in bikes, see World's Best Hot Dog Carts.

Select ice cream cart accessories

Umbrellas keep you cool while catching customers' eyes. Plain umbrellas (without your logo on them) run about $80 to $100. Add a logo and expect to pay $200 to $300 total, depending on whether you use a custom logo or a generic logo. Chiming bells to make your cart more noticeable are $70 to $85, and ice cream baskets are $90 to $115.

I recommend: Magnolia Carts sells a wide range of umbrellas for ice cream carts. Fasttrac Carts offers umbrellas and other ice cream cart accessories.

Remember the ongoing costs of ice cream vending carts

In addition to the cost of ice cream, cones and disposables like napkins, you'll need to consider the cost of keeping your cart cold. Block dry ice generally sells for $1 to $2 a pound. Replacement batteries for ice cream carts sell for $1,000 to $2,000.

I recommend: Airgas carries dry ice in just about any form you'd like. Carts and Grills sells replacement batteries.

Few things stir fond memories in the minds of men and women more than the sights and sounds of ice cream vending carts. Of course, ice cream carts aren't just for adults--kids adore them, too. Few business ventures succeed in pleasing so many customers.

But before you start your ice cream vending carts business, you'll need a few things. In addition to checking out your area's business and mobile vending regulations, you need to find just the right equipment. You will need:

1. An ice cream vending cart--either purely practical or fun and colorful,

2. Ice cream cart accessories for practical and aesthetic reasons,

3. And lots of ice cream and novelties.

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Select the perfect ice cream vending cart

Although push carts are the most commonly seen type of ice cream cart, tricycle-moved carts are unique, attention-grabbing and hearken back to simpler times. Also consider a cart that includes music or bells to announce your ice cream cart business to customers. There are lots of options, so be sure to check out several ice cream cart manufacturers or distributors.

I recommend: All A Cart Manufacturing Inc. offers custom vending carts, including those suitable for selling ice cream and other desserts. For unique and colorful ice cream cart design, check out ALL STAR CART & VEHICLES and Cart Concepts International. Worksman Cycles provides a nice variety of ice cream carts, including those that you can push or drive by trike.

Purchase useful and attention-grabbing ice cream vending cart accessories

Your ice cream vending equipment wouldn't be complete without accessories. These may be practical (like battery systems and tub holders) or eye-catching add-ons that will help you attract more customers (like lights and vivid umbrellas).

I recommend: Magnolia Carts sells umbrellas in a wide variety of colors, from bold to subtle, plus ice cream tub holders, cup holders, cart covers and more. Carts and Grills Inc. also offers umbrellas, ice cream baskets, battery power systems and lights for umbrellas.

Stock your mobile ice cream cart with ice cream

Of course, your ice cream novelties vending cart won't be ready to roll without ice cream. The choices may seem endless here, but keep in mind that a basic variety of ice cream is the heart of it all. Choose a great-tasting brand, then supplement it with fun add-ons like chopped nuts and syrups.

I recommend: Ice Cream Warehouse has a large selection of novelties, including wafers, syrups, sprinkles and cookies. Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company, Inc. offers quality ice cream at wholesale prices. Moxley's Ice Cream offers a good variety of ice cream flavors, and will make custom flavors just for your business. The Ice Cream Club, Inc. also sells wholesale ice cream, including low carb flavors and sherbets, in addition to ice cream cones, toppings and much more.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you won't be pushing your ice cream cart (or driving it by trike) to vending locations, you'll need a trailer to tow it; these are often available from cart distributors, but make sure the trailer meets your state's licensing requirements.

Americans love ice cream. In 2006, sales of ice cream and frozen desserts reached $23 billion, and the sale of "away from home" ice cream treats hit $13.9 billion. This, combined with the low start-up costs of running a mobile vending business, makes ice cream vending carts tempting for those looking to start a new business. There are many types of ice cream vending carts available on today's market, and while most have similar basic features, there might be times you run across unfamiliar terminology. With that in mind, you want to learn ice cream vending carts and key terms.

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Dipwell

Dipwell is a brand name dipper well. Dipper wells are devices that use continuous, fresh running, cold water to rinse away ice cream from utensils. While some people feel this is wasteful and not eco-friendly, it actually protects the public by helping to prevent the growth of bacteria on items such as ice cream scoops.

I recommend: Dipwell thoroughly explains and pictures its brand of dipper well.

Trailer

An ice cream cart is a cart with a hitch and either two or four wheels. You can tow such carts by a truck or car. Often, the hitch is detachable, and typically ice cream trailers are considerably larger than other types of ice cream carts.

I recommend: Waymatic offers detailed photographs and a description of an ice cream cart trailer.

Pushcart

An ice cream pushcart is one that you must manually push. Depending on the size of the cart, it can have two or four wheels.

I recommend: The Messana Group describes and pictures a typical ice cream push cart.

Trike cart

A trike cart, also called a tricycle cart or bicycle cart, is an ice cream cart powered by a manual bicycle, tricycle or half-bike.-bike.

I recommend: Visit Food Carts Portland, which shows photographs and a brief description of an ice cream trike cart.

of an ice cream trike cart.

Mechanical

A mechanical ice cream cart doesn't require dry ice to keep products cool. It uses a long running, rechargeable battery instead.ead.

I recommend: Scroll down the website for Worksman Trading for pictures and descriptions of several mechanical ice cream carts.

anical ice cream carts.

Sneeze guard

A sneeze guard protects an ice cream cart's products from air-borne contaminants. The law often requires vendors to use sneeze guards.

I recommend: To learn more, visit Fastrac Carts, which has photographs of typical ice cream cart sneeze guards.

If you've decided that you want to jump into the ice cream cart business or add to the business you already have, survey the wide selection of ice cream vending carts types and styles to find the one that's right for you. Whether you're looking for a simple cart to push down the street, the classic tricycle cart for fun and easy transport or a sleeker-looking canopied model that fits right into an upscale food court, today's ice cream cart manufacturers are offering more selection than ever before.

To survey the available ice cream vending carts types and styles, check out the links below:

1. Consider buying a push ice cream vending cart that won't deplete your budget.

2. Opt for the traditional tricycle ice cream vending cart, which is fun to operate.

3. Choose the canopied ice cream vending cart that sits neatly in a university cafeteria or upscale food court.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Keep it simple with a standard push ice cream vending cart

Push carts have a 9- to 10-foot cubic capacity, come with or without canopies and have four swivel wheels with locks.

I recommend: Customize your ice cream vending push cart with the available options that Michigan's Meadow Brook Ice Cream Company and Connecticut-based Cart Concepts International offer.

Check out different models of the tricycle ice cream vending carts

Certainly the first type of ice cream vending cart that pops into mind is the classic stainless steel box attached to a tricycle that the Ice Cream Man pedals down the street, ringing his chimes as he goes. There's no less than 8 feet of cubic space in these carts and most have a built-in clean out drain that makes for easy clean up.

I recommend: Worksman Food Vending Carts has been making ice cream vending equipment in the United States for more than 100 years. Its tricycle carts are designed for use with or without dry ice. You can also get them online through 800 BuyCart.

Upgrade to the attractive, canopied ice cream carts

If you've rented kiosk space in an upscale food court, consider the sleek look of a canopy-style ice cream vending cart. Not only are these attractive carts portable and easy to clean, but most come with storage freezers and ice cream dipping carts.

I recommend: Some of the canopied carts at All A Cart have multi facings dipping cabinets with sink cash drawers. Or consider the totally modernized Cambro CamKiosk vending cart sold at The Webstaurant Store. Its menu board is easy to remove and its dry storage compartment locks so you can be sure your cash is safe. Attach a barbecue or deep fryer to the highly durable canopied carts available from Worlds Best Hot Dog Carts.