An ice cream vending business opportunity is a good way to make money during the hot months of the year. In places like Florida and Southern California, this is most of the year. However, in places such as Minnesota and Indiana, an ice cream vending business may have to close during the winter months. Because of this fact, careful planning is necessary to make your business succeed.

Knowing the pricing and costs of ice cream vending business opportunities and the supplies to keep the business running is necessary. Consider these points when deciding if an ice cream business is appropriate for you:

1. Calculate the cost of opening an ice cream vending cart business.

2. Think about the cost of purchasing a stationary ice cream vending machine.

3. Consider the recurring cost of purchasing ice cream.

4. Boost your business by adding toppings to your menu.

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

Consider the cost of a cart for your ice cream vending business

The amount you spend on equipment for your mobile ice cream vending business is dependent upon the climate in which you will sell, as well as the amount of time you plan to sell each day. For example, a mobile ice cream business in Florida that will operate 10 hours per day will need cold plates. However, a business in Maine that plans to operate 6 hours per day may be able to safely operate with only cold packs.

I recommend: TurnKeyParlor.com offers a list of frequently asked questions that you should consider prior to purchasing ice cream vending supplies. This company offers ice cream vending solutions starting at around $2,500 for a basic ice cream vending push cart. For businesses that need cold plates, carts equipped with those start at around $2,800. Worksman Cycles offers ice cream vending carts starting at around $1,600. This company offers traditional push carts, as well as cycle carts.

Determine the amount you will spend for a stationary ice cream vending machine

When calculating stationary ice cream vending business opportunities, you must consider the cost of the vending machine. In general, these machines are a little more expensive then a regular snack vending machine because of the freezer unit.

I recommend: FastCorp offers a varied selection of stationary ice cream vending machines. These units start at around $4,000. BMI Gaming sells basic ice cream vending machines. These start at around $5,000 and go up as high as $7,000 for deluxe machines.

Factor in the cost of the product for your ice cream business opportunities

The cost of ice cream for your ice cream vending business is a recurring cost. Knowing these costs in advance will help you to make the most informed choices concerning your business budget.

I recommend: Plumgood Foods offers bulk pricing on ice cream. Three gallon tubs of hand dipped ice cream start at under $20. Twist & Shake offers chocolate and vanilla soft serve mix for under $100 per case. This company offers quantity discounts. Sam's Club offers wholesale prices on individually wrapped ice cream novelties. Prices start at around $7 for a case of ice cream sandwiches or around $10 per case for most other novelty items, including low fat truffle bars.

Think about purchasing toppings for your ice cream vending business

For ice cream carts and ice cream stands, toppings may give you an advantage over your competitors. However, these items must be included in the budget for your ice cream vending business budget.

I recommend: For ice cream cones check out FoodServiceDirect.com. This company specializes in serving food service professionals. Prices start at under $20 per case of regular cones and around $50 for waffle cones. Metro Candy & Nuts sells ice cream toppings, including sprinkles, chocolate chips, nuts and nonpareils. These items range in price from around $11 per case to over $100, depending on the product and case weight.

Running your own ice cream vending business can be a fun and rewarding experience. When you operate your own business you have the freedom to set your own hours, be your own boss and take control of your career.

But you must also keep in mind that the success of the business is completely dependent on you. It will be up to you to establish a location and a customer base for your ice cream products.

As with any business, there are no guaranties when you purchase an ice cream vending business. There are many questions you should ask yourself before investing in a ice cream vending business opportunity:

1. What costs are involved such as the ice cream vending franchise fee, ice cream cart, products and accessories?

2. Is there a good location for your ice cream business opportunity in your area?

3. Will you need to hire employees or will you do all the work yourself?

4. How much local competition will you face if you start an ice cream vending business?

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

Ask a consultant if an franchise ice cream business opportunity is right for you

A franchise consultant will help you investigate whether purchasing an ice cream vending franchise will be beneficial for you and will explain how to get started once you've decided to make the investment.

I recommend: Talk to consultants at The Bibby Group and Franchise Buyers Network to help you through the process.

Locate ice cream business opportunities

An ice cream franchise will have a name that is already established, an existing business plan that has been tested, vendors for all of your ice cream products and accessories and ongoing support from the franchiser. When you make a franchise investment, the ground work will have already been done.

I recommend: Purchase a Little Jimmy's Italian Ice franchise from Jersey Ice Corporation. Start your own Dippin' Dots cart from Dippin' Dots Inc. Purchase an ice cream catering franchise from One Hour Parties.

Start a mobile ice cream vending business

You may prefer to start your own mobile ice cream business. This means you will need to purchase a cart to transport your products.

I recommend: Buy ice cream carts at Carts and Grills Inc. or Magnolia Carts. Purchase an ice cream tricycle cart from the Worksman Cycle Group of Companies.

Obtain the menu items for your ice cream vending business opportunities

Once you have your cart and a location picked out, the most important thing is to choose a variety of ice cream products to sell. It's a good idea to keep track of the items that sell the most and the least . This will enable you to determine which products to continue selling and which items you no longer want to stock. Ice cream carts are small, so having the right merchandise is an essential key to your long-term success.

I recommend: Find a variety of ice cream products at Fieldbrook Foods Corporation, Shamrock Farms and Captain Kool Ice Cream.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider the weather patterns in your area to be certain there are enough warm days to warrant investing in ice cream vending business opportunities.
• •  Find a viable location for your ice cream business opportunity before you make the initial investment.