Costs to Start an Ice Cream Truck Business

As people become more and more active during the summer, the demand for quick, frozen dessert alternatives continues to grow. Starting an ice cream truck business to meet that demand is smart business. With the right routes and a solid business plan, you can start your new company and have it up and running in no time.

A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Determine the cost to start an ice cream business with a solid business plan.
   The first step to starting any business is to create a well-researched business plan that gives you business market data, outlines the goals of your new venture, and details how you will reach those goals. Whether you do the research and data collection yourself and write your ice cream truck business plan, hire a business consultant to do it for you for several thousand dollars, or you use an industry specific business plan template, make sure that you have your business plan in place before investing any time or money in opening your ice cream truck route.
2. Secure the perfect route.
   The information gathered for your business plan will help you determine where the perfect route for your ice cream business would be. You can then negotiate the lease or purchase of the ice cream truck and fill it with the equipment you need to run your business.
3. Get the necessary permits and licenses.
   Your local Small Business Association can help you determine which permits and licenses you need to operate your frozen treat business and will let you know the associated costs based on your location. You will also need to get an inspection from the Health Department, so be sure to contact them as well.
4. Begin marketing campaign focused on making profits.
   Your potential customers will need to know where your starting an ice cream truck business and why they should patron it. Your marketing strategy should include ways to entice people to your shop and also ways to keep them coming back.
5. Create a menu and set your prices.
   If you are opening an ice cream truck franchise, your menu should reflect not only popular choices, but should be somewhat in-line with the costs of other similar frozen treat businesses in the area. However, research has shown that those companies whose products are different, or stand out because they are better, deserve and will fetch a higher price point. So, don't undersell yourself! With a little research, you should be able to determine which flavors are most popular and create your menu based on this list.
6. Hire your staff.
   
   
   An ice cream truck business can be run with a limited staff. One of the great things about the ice cream business is that you can operate your shop using teenagers and other low-wage employees. Treat your staff well and they will treat your customers well!