Many of us dream about one day opening an ice cream shop, but how do you make it a reality?
While ice cream selling is a competitive arena, there is always room for another player – especially if you want to go down the artisanal, home-made route with great flavours and interesting combinations, or ones that cater for specific dietary needs such as vegan or dairy-free.
After you’ve decided on the products you’ll sell, and who your ideal customer is, you need to complete the relevant paper work and obtain the appropriate permits.
You’ll need to understand UK health and safety laws, get a business bank account, and register for tax.
You will, of course, have to acquire premises in a location where there’s plenty of footfall, such as a busy town centre or at a beach resort.
Once that’s all done, it’s time to order your ice cream shop supplies.
What ice cream shop supplies do I need?
The ice cream shop supplies you require will depend upon whether you’re going make ice cream yourself or plan to buy it in.
Let’s assume you intend to make your own.
Here’s a checklist of all the elements you need for your business:
Top of your supplies for ice cream shop is a commercial ice cream machine, one that suits the kind of ice cream you want to make and that won’t let you down.
You might think that all ice cream makers are the same, but they’re not.
You really need to get it right at the outset because this will save hassle and time, so do your research.
This is why it’s essential that you’re sure of the type of ice cream you’ll be making from the start.
For example, will it be Italian gelato? Or are you planning an array of different variations?
Soft-serve ice cream makers are the kind that dispense ice cream straight into the cone or cup, while batch freezers are designed for large amounts of ice cream that will be stored in a freezer – the kind you may want for a restaurant for example.
And while cost is always a consideration when launching a new business, don’t just go for the cheapest machine.
Brands to look out for include Vinmax, Vevor and Costway.
Soft-serve ice cream machine
A commercial soft-serve ice cream machine is different from a batch freezer because it produces and serves your ices.
It has:
- A built-in freezing mechanism
- Hoppers in which to store ice cream
- Levers which you use to dispense the ice cream into a cone (or cup)
- Temperature control to ensure the confection is served at the correct temperature
Some even have an air pump to make the ice cream lighter and fluffier!
This kind of machine works for commercial ices rather than handmade artisanal-style creations.
What to consider when buying an ice cream maker…
Your budget
The ice cream maker is the one thing that’s going to have an impact on the success, or failure, of your business, so you need one that’s fit for purpose.
The cheapest option will not always be the best way to go, and the one thing you must do is ensure there’s enough in the budget for a reliable machine.
If you’re a cash-strapped for your ice cream shop supplies UK, then you could consider a pre-owned machine. And if you are planning to rent a space, you could lease an ice cream maker too.
The quality of ice cream
It sounds obvious, but the ice cream maker you choose should be capable of producing the best quality ice cream possible. It’s a crowded market out there and you need to be able to stand out!
Ease of use
Electric ice cream makers with powerful compressors are the ones that are a breeze to use as they will produce ice cream within minutes without long lead times and intermittent breaks.
Low power consumption
It’s a good idea, in these days of high energy costs, to look for power efficient machines as this will help you to generate more income in the long run.
Easy to clean
Cleaning your ice cream maker is essential. It will not function properly if you allow product to build up and you don’t want your machine to become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. With that in mind, what you don’t need is an ice cream maker that’s a pain to keep clean. Look at ice cream makers that have a one-click cleaning feature because that means all that you have to do is press a button and hey presto! You’ll only need to wait a few minutes for your ice cream maker to be clean and ready to use again.
Versatility
Will this machine help you to reinvent or recreate new flavours, or be capable of making frozen yoghurt, or sorbet? Depending upon what you decide to sell, ensure the machine is versatile enough to deliver the desired choice of dessert.
Quantity
In effect, can it churn out enough ice cream for your business to make money? If you’re making large quantities, you need an ice cream maker with an extra-large refrigeration cylinder and rapid freezing facility.
This way you will be best equipped to meet the demands of your customer base.
Ingredients for your ice cream
If you’re intent on making your own ice cream, you need to stock up on ingredients including milk and cream, maybe eggs, flavourings, and colouring etc. These also need to be stored correctly, so make sure you’ve a selection of food safe containers that can be clearly labelled to signpost allergens and use by dates.
Blast freezer
For your ice cream to be the best quality, you should freeze it as rapidly as possible and that’s where the blast (or shock) freezer comes into its own. Using a blast freezer will minimise the size of ice crystals formed within the product. The smaller the crystals, the creamier and smoother your ice cream will be. Micro crystals also ensure that when defrosted, the ice cream doesn’t lose any of its consistency. A blast freezer is also an asset when it comes to energy efficiency and can increase the life span of the product. It may be an expensive piece of equipment, but it will be worth the money.
Refrigeration units
You need a refrigeration unit for all your ingredients, primarily milk and cream and fruit purees etc. You will also require appropriate storage containers that are food safe, and can protect your ingredients from contamination.
Serving equipment
Of course, you need something with which to serve your ice cream so another essential will be serving scoops and spades. You’ll be serving up different portion sizes so make sure your scoops are in different sizes.
Ice cream containers
A priority when it comes to ice cream shop supplies will be the containers you store it in.
Not only do you need storage for your ingredients, you also require ice cream containers designed for storing your delectable desserts – and did you know that not all containers are equal to the task?
Consider that ice cream is a perishable product. This means that it should be treated with care.
Storing it at the wrong temperature, in the wrong container, and even in the wrong part of the freezer, can have dire consequences for your iced creations.
Therefore, the kind of containers you need to be looking for should be robust enough to cope with the temperatures at which ice cream must be stored.
They should be food safe, that is made from plastic that isn’t likely to contaminate the product and have an airtight lid.
Anything else, and you run the risk of damaging your beautifully crafted ice cream.
At Venturepak, you can be assured that the containers we recommend for storing ice cream will be the right ones for you.
And that’s one less thing to worry about when setting up your business and looking for ice cream shop supplies wholesale.
Dispensers for toppings
Everyone loves toppings on their ice cream, so to ensure that each serving delivers the sprinkles, nuts, caramel sauce or whatever else you’d like to add to your creations, you definitely need topping dispensers.
Some are display-style topping dispensers, others are wall-mounted, and you can also opt for freestanding dispensers.
The choice is yours.
Dipping cabinets
These are the display cases you’ll see in most shops selling ice cream which tempt customers with all the different flavours on offer.
They are characterised by a see-through top beneath which are containers of uniform sizes showcasing the ices.
Blenders
You may need a commercial blender if you decide upon extending your repertoire into products like milk shakes and smoothies.
Tubs and cones
Among your essential ice cream shop supplies are tubs and cones with which to serve your iced confections.
You’ll need a variety of these, from standard sugar cones to chocolate dipped waffle cones, all of which need to be in different sizes.
Remember that if you’re serving up artisan ice cream you can definitely not go down the cheap route.
Look at tubs made from recycled materials, printed in brand colours with your logo and ensure your cones are high quality.
A POS (or point-of-sale) system
The POS system will help you manage orders and keep track of sales, as well as take those all-important online payments.
Utensils
As well as scoops to serve your ice cream you’ll need other utensils, such as measuring implements and bowls, serving spoons and ladles.
Dishwashers and sinks
Hygiene is all important, so you need to invest in sinks and dishwashers to maintain levels of hygiene as part of your ice cream supplies essentials.
Failure to do so risks a negative hygiene rating, which will impact enormously on the success of your business.
Dishwashers will keep utensils and containers sanitised while sinks need to be regularly maintained.
Cleaning supplies
On the subject of hygiene, don’t forget about cleaning supplies like mops brushes and detergents.
Ventilation
Your ice cream shop should be working flat out in summer months when it’s much hotter outside, so ventilation and exhaust systems are essential – not only if you want a working environment that’s comfortable and safe for you and your staff, but also to avoid unpleasant odours.
Tables and chairs
If you want to open an ice cream shop which offers customers more of an experience, then you’ll need to invest in seating and tables. This may be for an outdoor area, indoors or both.
Menus
Do you go down the route of a printed menu or provide a board onto which all available choices are displayed?
If you intend to regularly add new flavours, you might invest in a chalk board. This will not only be easy to update, but gives your business an artisanal feel.
Signage
What are you going to call your ice cream shop?
Once you’ve decided on a name, you should devise a sign to let everyone on the high street know what your shop is called and what it sells.
And as well as a sign for your shop, you’ll need A boards to position on the pavement close by to alert your potential customers to your existence.
Uniforms
You and your staff need aprons, caps and T-shirts, not only for hygiene purposes but to make your business look slicker and more professional.
Ice cream shop supplies UK to help maximise profits
Coffee machine
Not every customer may want an ice cream, but they may opt for a drink instead, so a tea or coffee machine and refrigerator stocked with soft drinks is always a good way to make extra money.
Special dietary products
The addition of gluten-free and sugar-free cones, plus vegan desserts, may give you an edge over your competitors.
Sweet additions
Cookies, cakes, and pancakes that go with ice cream may also help you maximise your profits.
And that’s it; the ingredients for your ice cream shop in a nutshell! Add a dollop of enthusiasm, a sprinkle of invention, and a bunch of delighted customers, and you have the menu for success.
At Venturepak, we’re always here to help any aspiring ice cream vendor.
Get the right ice cream shop supplies, and you will be on your way to starting a business that has all the potential for success.
As experts on food storage solutions, we can supply the advice you need about the best containers for your ice cream parlour, so feel free to get in touch.