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More News, Articles, Stories, and Resources for your Ice Cream Vending Business: "Shaved Ice Cart Becomes a Favorite": Icy but not Ice Cream (click here) |
GETTING STARTED WITH ICE CREAM VENDING CARTS: THE BASICS
Ice Cream Carts and Ice Cream Trucks are enjoying a revival of sorts since the 1970’s, when many ice cream truck operators were put out of business by municipalities concerned with the dangers of children racing across busy streets to get to the ice cream man. Ice cream vendors are once again legal in most municipalities, but two new concerns face the industry.
First is the music. Groups of residents in multiple towns and cities aren’t so nostalgic for the songs played by ice cream vendors to draw their customers…they consider the incessant music annoying. Most municipalities (and the complaining citizens) have agreed to compromise positions, such as regulating the volume of the music, or (as in Boston) regulating that the music must be turned off when the vehicle is stopped and selling ice cream. Both of these should be considered reasonable and not a serious threat to the mobile ice cream vending business. The second issue is a little more sinister: recent reports of convicted child predators applying for or being granted permits to operate ice cream trucks or carts. Certainly, a business that largely caters to children and a child molester is a bad combination.
So presuming you’re not a predator and you can regulate your music, ice cream vending routes are still a great summer opportunity (or year-round in warmer climates). You can even try the business out for little or no cost…many operators in larger towns and cities have a fleet of ice cream trucks they send out on rental. You pay a flat fee for the vehicle, buy your stock at wholesale from the business, then hit the streets in search of profitable routes and locations. When you return, your un-sold stock goes back into the freezer for credit, and you keep the profits. While the typical ice cream “truck” is merely a small truck (old postal jeeps are still in vogue, if you can find them), many independent operators retrofit a used bread truck or delivery truck. With the high price of gas (and all other prices seeming to escalate as well), it's very, very important to choose a vehicle no larger than you need. If you enjoy riding a bike, you'll find iceboxes mounted to the front of a three-wheeled bicycle-like contraption that requires NO gas. If the ice cream treats you are selling are all pre-packaged from the manufacturer (as is typical), it’s merely a matter of installing some freezers. Some operators will opt for a small generator to keep the freezer cold, while others simply buy blocks of ice (or dry ice) daily to keep their stock frozen. With the high price of gas (and all other prices seeming to escalate as well), it's very, very important to choose a vehicle no larger than you need. If you enjoy riding a bike, you'll find iceboxes mounted to the front of a three-wheeled bicycle-like contraption that requires NO gas. Another great way to start your ice cream business is with a small cart. Basically an icebox-on-bicycle wheels, you can take this miniature money machine to public parks, little-league fields, store parking lots…anywhere there’s lots of people on a warm day or evening. A few emerging entrepreneurs are offering hand-scooped milk shakes and Italian ices from carts and small vehicles, and anything that’s new and different will distinguish you from any competitors you might have. As always, start with a visit to your local city hall to find out what permits you’ll need, the legalities of vending in public streets or property, and health department regulations. With this knowledge secured, you can begin to scout for likely locations and the right ice cream vending equipment for your operation. Use this site to find ice cream cart and ice cream vending equipment, supplies, tested ice cream sales business plans, and more. There are plenty of stories of others who have developed substantial income from their ice cream vending carts, plus a few cautionary tales; as well as clickable links from quality vendors of ice cream carts and equipment. |