starting an ice cream parlor

[shamieya]

I love ice cream and I have a bunch of ideas for a shop. I don't know where to get started. Do I have to find/buy a location before my business can get financed? I would also like to know from those in the business, is it better to make the ice cream on site or to buy ice cream from manufacturers? :confused:
:D p.s. I am so glad i found this website, there is a lot of great information!

[diego59]

For the last question: it's better to make your ice cream on site for 3 easy reasons.
1. For your ice cream you can use only genuine raw materials and offer to your customers a fresh & "premium" product.:)
2. The ice cream from manufacturers "can" contain additives, not indicate for kids.:mad:
3. You can decide your ice cream's cost.:)

[ice-cream]

Try Reading the articles found at:http://www.icecreamprofits.com/articles/default.asp

[bobwillier]

Let me let you know what I typically tell my customers. Opening a new ice cream shop is preceded by a number of steps. First, how serious are you? Do you want to work 65+ hours a week? Can you give it your full time attention? Will your wife or husband divorce you after the first 3 months? If you can still answer "yes, I'm still interested and am serious" then now you can start your research. I have found that the most successful people in the restaurant or dessert industry do a lot of research.

Once you decide to do this then you are ready to:

Figure out how you will finance the project. Do you have the liquid cash or can you borrow the money? (Most banks won't even think about lending money on new un-proven vendors, and the SBA can very tough also).

If you have the money, will you build your place or find a place to lease?
Will you make your own ice cream in house or buy it. (Making in house is the way to go)
What kind of a theme will my place have.
Who are my sources of supplies.
What will be the butterfat content of my ice cream and overrun (the amount of air in the finished product).
What kind of signage can I put up.
What's my menu going to be?
What's the layout of the store?
How many employees will I need?
Where will I get training?

And the list goes on and on.

Don't forget, not only will you be the owner, but also the bookkeeper, maintainance person, employee gripe to person, call in sick to person, customer relation person, advertising person, insurance provider, payroll person etc. etc. etc.

Hope this helps....

[Cofrar]

Great information