What do you need to open an ice cream parlor?

Many people dream of starting their own ice cream parlor. However, most never make their dream come true because they think they don't have the right requirements. We'll get to the bottom of it and show you what you really need to make your own ice cream parlor a reality.

So what do you need to open your own ice cream shop?

To open an ice cream parlor, you need entrepreneurial skills, a passion for ice cream, a business license and sufficient financial resources.

The most important thing in advance: You do not need any training in the field of gastronomy or as a specialist for ice cream to be allowed toopen an ice cream parlor ! In the following paragraphs, we'll give you some tips on what you should consider when opening your own ice cream parlor. So stay tuned in any case!

The main requirements for starting your own ice cream parlor

Even if experience in these areas or training in the commercial field is a great advantage, nevertheless probably the most important prerequisite for opening an ice cream parlor is the passion and love for ice cream itself.

If you want to make your own ice cream, then you should definitely enjoy creating new flavors and the process of making it. Because if you want to produce ice cream yourself, you will spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

Developing new or existing recipes can take a lot of time, because in order to end up with creamy and tasty ice cream, the ingredients must be precisely matched down to the gram.

There are also many details to consider during the manufacturing process.

Of course, you should also have an entrepreneurial streak, because your ice cream sales should ultimately yield a profit.

You should be willing to invest a lot of time and energy into starting your own ice cream parlor, and also be willing not to be deterred by the bureaucratic part.

You should also be prepared to learn many things anew and not be discouraged by failures. Innovative and flexible thinking is also a great advantage.

What concept do you want to pursue?

First of all, you need a good concept so that your ice cream parlor stands out from others and you can stand out against any competition.

A good concept can be very crucial to the success of your ice cream shop and you should adapt it to your target audience.

You can be creative and perhaps choose a specific theme to incorporate into your ice cream shop's offerings and design. Perhaps there is a certain story behind the founding of your ice cream parlor? You can pick up on this and give your ice cream parlor your own personal touch.

Also, before you even take the first step, you should consider whether you want to open a stationary ice cream parlor or if you want to travel to several locations with an ice cream truck or ice cream truck.

The advantages and disadvantages of mobile or stationary ice cream parlors

At the beginning, you should think about what kind of ice cream parlor you want to open.

Do you really want an ice cream parlor in the traditional sense? Or would you like to drive through the streets with a vintage-style ice cream truck and check out popular places?

Of course, there are some advantages and disadvantages to both options.

Advantages of a mobile ice cream shop

An ice cream truck gives you mobility, so you can go directly to popular places like swimming lakes or other recreational spots.

You can also get booked for festivities or events, you are always flexible and you don't have to pay rent if you buy the ice cream and don't want to make it yourself.

Another advantage is that, thanks to your flexibility, you can change more easily if there is a seasonal offer. If you don't want to use your ice truck in the winter, you can simply store it and don't have to pay rent, but at most a fee for the parking space.

Disadvantages of mobile ice cream sales

A disadvantage is that you still have to rent premises if you want to make the ice cream yourself. In addition, of course, you have other expenses such as fuel costs and the purchase and maintenance of your vehicle.

On top of that, never staying in one place and restlessly moving from hotspot to hotspot can be quite exhausting.

Your flexibility can also be a disadvantage, as you never know what's coming and it's often not easy to judge when it's worth leaving one place and heading for a new one.

Driving routes can take up a lot of time in the long run without you generating any income during that time.

Advantages of a stationary ice cream parlor

In an ice cream parlor with a fixed store space and rented premises, you can develop routines more easily and learn to assess your clientele quite quickly.

You may be local, but you can focus on one city or neighborhood to reach and engage people.

You can also look around your neighborhood in advance, analyze your location and make sure that your competition is as low as possible to create the best conditions for your business.

If you want to make your own ice cream, you can rent the appropriate premises directly, so that you don't have to travel long distances to transport the ice cream.

Also, of course, you will set fixed opening hours and thus have regulated working hours, which is also a great advantage for your employees.

Disadvantages of a stationary ice cream parlor

The disadvantages of a permanent ice cream parlor are undoubtedly the local ties and the dependence on walk-in customers as well as on the weather and the temperatures. A rainy summer can lower your sales quite a bit if you don't adjust your offer.

Moreover, although your running costs will be lower in winter, you still need to be able to cover your expenses somehow, which is why it is hardly possible to limit your offer only to summer.

So you should come up with something and change your offer to survive the winter without losses.

This may mean turning away from your passion for a few months and switching to hot drinks and hot foods or cakes.

But maybe you have some creative ideas so you can make a profit in the winter, too.

Once you have decided on a variant, you can now start to deal with the bureaucracy.

Legal requirements and bureaucracy

Before you can start an ice cream parlor, you need a trade license. You can apply for this at the trade office, so that you are registered in the trade register.

Of course, you should also take care of the financing of your ice cream parlor. For this, you should definitely create a business plan in advance.

What else you need:

• Premises: After registering with the trade office, you can start looking for a suitable property.
• Declaration of no objection and tax number: You have to apply for both at the tax office.
• Insurance: It is best to seek advice on this from professionals.
• Contract reviews: Before you sign any contracts, have them reviewed by an attorney to be on the safe side.
• Hygiene regulations and opening hours: Familiarize yourself with the hygiene regulations and the regulations on opening hours.
• Labeling of additives: These must be labeled on the menu.
• Restaurant license: You only need to take care of this if you want to sell ice cream that contains alcohol.
• Smoking bans, youth, work and noise protection: You should also know all the important prohibitions and commandments here.
• Application to the building regulations office: If you want to change and convert your rooms, you must submit applications to the building regulations office and have the conversions approved.
• Material and equipment: If you want to make your own ice cream, you should look for the right machines. You will also need refrigerators and ice cream trays, as well as other equipment and interior design for your ice cream parlor.
• Advice from professionals and people with experience: seek support from people who have already traveled a similar path.

You can turn to experts who specialize in helping founders of ice cream parlors and assist you with their acquired expertise.