Ice cream remains an extremely popular dessert throughout the United States. In fact, statistics show that the average American consumes ice cream 28.5 times each year. Considering the popularity of this dessert, many people find success by opening an ice cream shop of their own. That being said, you’ll need to do a bit of preparation before achieving this goal. Considering that, here are four steps to follow before opening an ice cream shop.
- Determining What Type of Ice Cream Shop You Want
You’ll find that ice cream is a versatile dessert. Considering that, you’ll want to think about how you’re going to offer this treat to your customers. For instance, certain ice cream shops use glass serveware which encourages customers to sit down and enjoy themselves. On the other hand, you might prefer dessert cups to go, catering to those without the time to sit down. - Obtaining Proper Business Documentation
Not every step involving opening your own ice cream shop is exciting. However, it’s imperative that you obtain all required licenses and permits before opening up your own shop. Without these important documents, you’ll risk having your new shop shut down. - Finding the Right Location
Next, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve found the right location. Running an ice cream shop typically entails needing a lot of storage space. Statistics show that there are nearly 1.5 billion gallons of ice cream and other types of similar desserts produced throughout America each year. Therefore, buildings with large amounts of freezer space are great to find for storage purposes. In addition, you’ll also need to determine whether you want to lease or purchase your building. Purchasing a building means more upfront cost but spending less on rent each month. - Keeping Plenty of Ice Cream Shop Supplies on Hand
One study found that 90% of households throughout the United States regularly indulge in some type of frozen treat. With that in mind, you’ll want to prepare for serving such a large number of customers. Fortunately, you can achieve this goal by having plenty of ice cream supplies on hand including cups, spoons, and napkins.
In conclusion, there are several important steps to follow before opening an ice cream shop. These businesses continue to remain popular with a wide range of customers. If you follow the previously mentioned steps, you’ll be ready to open a successful ice business of your own.
