http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/ Ice Cream Business Information - How to Get Started in The Ice Cream Business. en Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:05:28 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/images/cielo/misc/rss.png http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/ http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?915-Hello!-Taking-orders-for-sprinkle-topping-machines-available-fall-2010&goto=newpost Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:18:03 GMT Hello,
I look forward to networking with anyone who is in the icecream service business. Here's my story:

I have worked in the soft-serve ice cream business for a few years. We started a soft-serve (known as a creemee in VT) business in 2007. By Vermont standards, we were in one of the largest retail centers of the state. It quickly became apparent that we were going to have a very busy stand. I noticed, from first hand experience that putting topping on the cones could be messy and inefficient. Novice cone makers sometimes had trouble making stable cones, so "rolling" the cone in the toppings was risky, not to mention unsanitary. Applying the topping with a spoon was slow and messy (sprinkles were going everywhere!). There had to be a better way.
I researched on the internet and found that a "cone topper" was in existence but wasn't being made anymore. We bid on one on ebay, but were outbid in the final seconds of the auction. I decided to build my own machine.
I know what you're thinking; 'this guy made a duct tape & plywood machine-for sure'. What I haven't told you is that I'm a machinist. I made a twin drum application machine using only food safe materials (ie aluminum, stainless steel, HDPE plastic). The machine was used at our business in 2008 and was a big success. Kids loved it! Customers were coming in and asking about it. People were getting sprinkles on their cones just to see it run.
I decided to attempt a small business plan producing and selling a refined version of my sprinkle machine. My business will go active this fall. I am looking forward to talking with anyone who might be interested in placing an order for one of these machines. At this point, my shop's going to be a one man show, so I expect I will be booking machine sales with at least a two week lead time. I hope to have my website active in September ( www.toolcrafter802.com ) so I should be able to be contacted through that link or just drop me a line through this forum.
Thanks for your time,
Eric. ]]> Introductions toolcrafter802 http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?915-Hello!-Taking-orders-for-sprinkle-topping-machines-available-fall-2010 http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?914-Location-question&goto=newpost Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:13:16 GMT We are in the process of opening a self-serve frozen yogurt store. We have narrowed our choice of locations down to two. Need input on which would... We are in the process of opening a self-serve frozen yogurt store. We have narrowed our choice of locations down to two. Need input on which would be better for a start-up with best chance of success.

City population 250,000

First location: close to downtown, on a main artery into town, close to our state University (25,000 students), in strip shopping center surrounded by 6 restaruants. Closest competition: no yogurt shops but one Baskin Robbins within 1 mile.

Second location: Outskirts of city close to large Mall, on main artery into town, in shopping center with restaurants neighboring and surrounding ( at least 7), several large neighborhoods with middle to upper income levels close by, closest competition is yogurt kiosk in mall and a Maggie Moos within 500 yards.

Drive by traffic about the same for either one. Which do you think offers the best chance of success?

Thank you in advance for any advice. I have found this website to be most helpful in research and appreciate all the hard work put into the site.

Mark ]]> Getting Started Markmcg http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?914-Location-question http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?913-http-xrumerservice.org-xrumer&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:37:23 GMT Hi! Breaking news I discovered site which offer xrumer service! somebody used service at website xrumer service (http://xrumerservice.org/) ?? I... Hi! Breaking news I discovered site which offer xrumer service! somebody used service at website xrumer service
?? I decided to get out that. Is it reliasable to get fresh vistors in that way? I want to push my site in better search results!


http://xrumerservice.org xrumer blast ]]> Ice Cream Business enhacrada http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?913-http-xrumerservice.org-xrumer http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?912-New-to-the-business-need-to-covert-step-van&goto=newpost Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:46:48 GMT I have a 1997 GMC P30 step van its 20' long bumper to bumper where do I begin to find what I need to convert it to an Ice cream truck.

Dennis ]]> Introductions dnelson http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?912-New-to-the-business-need-to-covert-step-van http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?911-wanted-soft-serve-machine-parts&goto=newpost Fri, 16 Jul 2010 22:54:34 GMT I am looking for a dispenser head for my electro freeze freedom 360. any help would be appreciated I am looking for a dispenser head for my electro freeze freedom 360. any help would be appreciated ]]> Ice Cream Business heylady1960 http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?911-wanted-soft-serve-machine-parts http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?910-Dreaming-of-Ice-Cream&goto=newpost Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:29:25 GMT Hello -
My name is Michele and I'm considering getting into the ice cream biz. I'm learning more towards soft-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt. I want to learn more about equipment and suppliers -- does anyone know of a good trade show that would have all of the major vendors under one roof?

Thanks! ]]> Introductions Michelex http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?910-Dreaming-of-Ice-Cream http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?909-So-how-s-your-year-going&goto=newpost Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:05:19 GMT There must be some Ice Cream shop owners out there that want a place to get together and talk. There must be some Ice Cream shop owners out there that want a place to get together and talk. ]]> Ice Cream Business Ice Cream Man http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?909-So-how-s-your-year-going http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?908-Gelato-Start-up-Question&goto=newpost Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:17:29 GMT I would like to start a gelato shop. I do not know how to make gelato, would it be better to hire someone to make the gelato or learn to make it... I would like to start a gelato shop. I do not know how to make gelato, would it be better to hire someone to make the gelato or learn to make it myself? I would like it to be made from scratch.

What are the margins on gelato?


Thank you for your time,

Robert ]]> Getting Started RWatson http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?908-Gelato-Start-up-Question