How to Start an Ice Cream Truck Business
One of the fondest memories of childhood is the sound of the ice cream truck. It was a call to arms for all of the children in the neighborhood. They would run in the house and get money from Mom or Dad so they could buy their favorite frozen treat. If you are thinking about getting a whole new generation screaming for their ice cream, there are a few things you should consider first.
Before anything else, it is wise to check with your local government and make sure no ordinances exist that will prohibit you from selling ice cream on the street. If there are no laws or ordinances against it, check to see what licenses need to be purchased and if there are any fees that need to be paid. The Health Department will have rules and regulations regarding food sales from a truck, including all sanitation rules that need to be observed. If you are planning on hiring someone to sell the ice cream, consult the Department of Labor for an Employer Identification Number, and for tax purposes.
A good business plan is necessary for operating a business. Simple business plans are available from the library or on the Internet to help get you started. It is prudent to determine beforehand if it is a viable profit-making opportunity before spending your money, or someone else’s money. This is a good time to decide on what product you want to sell, and to find distributors or wholesalers to purchase your product. Test out the products you want to sell to make sure there will be a demand. Children’s tastes vary, so you may want to find some children to help with testing.
Your budget is crucial to your business, and once you think you have a viable plan and a good product you want to sell, you can start crunching numbers to make a budget. There are many costs associated with a start-up business that have to be factored. The biggest outlay will be for the vehicle, and there are many considerations associated with buying an ice cream truck. Should you buy new or used, what size truck are you going to need and what size freezers will be necessary? Insurance costs are going to be another factor. Fuel and maintenance are costs that are going to fluctuate but are still elements that needs to be considered. Once the truck is purchased. Make sure it adheres to all of the safety codes, like lights and signage.
Find an area that you would like to establish a route. Make sure there are no other ice cream routes that service the area. Too much competition will cut into profits. Ensure that there are children in the area that will want to buy your ice cream. Also, think about selling at beaches, parks or other places children gather. There may be additional licenses or regulations for selling these areas, so make sure you check.