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The Business Requirements for an Ice Cream Man by Greg Brian, Demand Media
Related Articles What Do I Need to Start an Ice Cream Truck Business? How to Start a Small Ice Cream Business Starting a Business Selling Ice Cream How to Start an Ice Cream Truck or Cart Business How to Set Up an Ice Cream Van Business How to Open an Ice Cream Parlor Business
Selling ice cream in neighborhoods or other locations is a perennial business idea that never gets old. You can sell ice cream from a vehicle, or stay in one place by starting an ice cream stand. All business requirements will depend on how large you want your business to be, and what kind of permits your city requires.
Ice Cream Stand One of the options for selling ice cream is an ice cream stand or cart. Setting up an ice cream stand can cost from $2,000 to $10,000, says "Entrepreneur" magazine. Ice cream stands are most profitable during spring and summer. During those seasons, an ice cream stand can be placed in parks, in stadiums or along city streets, as long as you have the proper legal permissions.
Permits Before you can set up your ice cream stand or cart, you need to check with your local city hall about state and city permit requirements, which will vary by state. Serving-Ice-Cream.com says requirements usually involve a health permit, a food handling permit, an ice cream vendor permit, a business license and insurance. You'll also need a criminal background check before the permits can be issued to you. In Bakersfield, California, an application fee for a cart in 2011 is $75, and a permit fee is $90 if you obtain your permit between July and December 31. Obtaining a permit any other time of the year will be considerably cheaper, as the permit fee goes down to $45.
Buying or Leasing an Ice Cream Truck After gaining some experience selling ice cream at a stand or with a cart, you may want to purchase an ice cream truck. Through this method, you can sell ice cream in wider areas, sometimes serving multiple neighborhoods. If you don't have the funds to buy an ice cream truck for yourself, Allscream.com suggests leasing one from an ice cream distributor in your area. Look in your phone book for ice cream distributors that can help you get started.
License and Permit for an Ice Cream Truck Along with state and city permits mentioned above, you also need a valid driver's license and a health permit if you utilize an ice cream truck. You will not need a commercial driver's license unless your truck is as large as a bus. In Bakersfield, California, a health inspection application fee was $75 and the permit fee $90 from July 1 to December 31. As of 2011, the permit fee drops to $45 from January 1 to June 31.
Understanding Vending Laws Vending laws apply to certain neighborhoods where you'll be making your ice cream sales. These are city laws regarding noise and safety rules for vehicles selling a product. If you play music from your ice cream truck to attract attention, you'll have to conform to the local laws. Check with local law enforcement or your city's official website to get specific information on noise ordinance laws and other vending laws.
Equipment Outside of investing in marketing for your ice cream business, you'll have to buy tangible items, such as freezers and machines to make the ice cream. Write out a business plan in advance to determine how much capital you'll need. The equipment for an ice cream truck will be cheaper than starting a business in a fixed location.
Unique Menu You may want to sell all the usual ice cream flavors, though you should think about selling other unique items in your ice cream business to make you stand out. Organic ice cream is a good alternative, and it can fill a valuable niche. Look into going beyond ice cream and selling milkshakes, hamburgers or hot dogs.
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References AllScream.com: Ice Cream Vendor Advice(http://www.allscream.com/advice.php) Serving-Ice-Cream.com: Ice Cream Truck Business Requirements(http://www.serving-ice-cream.com/ice-cream-truck-3.html) Betadaily.com; Ice Cream Truck Business; March 26, 2010(http://www.betadaily.com/2010/03/26/ice-cream-truck-business/) "Entrepreneur"; Ice Cream Stand(http://www.entrepreneur.com/businessideas/646.html) Kern County Public Health Services Department (Environmental Health Division): How to Obtain a Permit to Operate an Ice Cream Push Cart (PDF)(http://psbweb.co.kern.ca.us/eh_internet/pdfs/Food/foodProgramInfo/IceCreamPushCartGuidelinesPacket.pdf) Kern County Environmental Health Services Department: How to Obtain a Permit to Operate an Ice Cream Truck (PDF)(http://www.co.kern.ca.us/eh/pdfs /Food/IceCreamTruckGuidelinesPacket.pdf)
About the Author Greg Brian is a freelance writer who took his diverse writing skills to the Internet in 2007. He currently writes for various prestigious websites. He earned an Associate of Arts degree in business management from Trend Business College in 1993.
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