Planning, budgeting and setting up a business look different within each industry. For an ice cream business, this includes obtaining the right equipment (at the right price). After all, you have to handle your delicious inventory carefully.
When considering the equipment needed to start an ice cream business, you must have already determined if you are going to start your own brand of ice cream, resell popular brands in a standalone store, or if you are going to purchase a franchise. This is a vital consideration that shouldn’t be overlooked. If you purchase a franchise, the company will provide you with a list of guidelines the equipment you need to obtain has to meet. Specification can include the size and number of items.
In this article, we will delve into the list of equipment to start an ice cream business.
What Equipment Do I Need for My Ice Cream Business?
In a previous article, we delved into the details of starting an ice cream shop. There we briefly listed the possible equipment needed for a shop, but if you are going to make your own ice cream (think Gelato) you will need additional equipment.
The list of items you need can be divided into four categories:
Furniture and Decor:
Furniture and decor shouldn’t be forgotten in your start-up budget. A franchise might have strict regulations on what furniture and decor items may be purchased from specific suppliers.
The furniture you need for a sit-down style shop includes tables, chairs, a menu board and a sales counter for your cash register. You can also consider a few chairs for employees.
Decor includes tablecloths, curtains, wall art or “props” and figurines.
Selling prepackaged ice cream or having a take-away style store will not require all the above furniture.
Business Tools:
Business equipment that every shop needs includes a cash register and a point-of-sale system. Depending on how you choose to run your business, you might also include a computer to track sales, inventory or employees’ hours worked, as well as a phone.
Large Ice Cream Equipment:
Large ice cream equipment includes freezers, refrigeration units and refrigerated display cases. If your shop space doesn’t have a sink, you need to install sinks to wash and clean your equipment.
When it comes to making ice cream, you will need gelato makers, soft serve machines and blenders.
Consider purchasing a dipping cabinet, syrup dispenser, cone dispenser, toppings dispenser,
Small Items for Selling Ice Cream:
Small items such as spoons, dishes and bowls can easily be avoided if you choose to use disposable plastic or carton containers to sell your products in. Similarly, if your shop specialises in reselling prepackaged ice cream, you won’t need to obtain these items.
However, if your aim is to create a sit-down style café or gelateria, opt for reusable crockery, glassware and cutlery.
Do not forget that if you choose to only use disposable items, you will still need to buy ice cream scoops, dishes and spoons to dish up the ice cream as well as any kitchen utensils necessary for making the frozen treats.
Other items not on this list include mixing bowls, storage containers and cleaning supplies. Cleaning supplies especially is vital to ensure a hygienic environment that meets the standards for ice cream shop food safety in South Africa.
Where Do I Find Equipment to Start An Ice Cream Business?
Equipment can be sourced from various suppliers (unless required otherwise by a franchise). South Africa has many suppliers of catering equipment where utensils, crockery, glassware and cutlery can be purchased.
Furthermore, multiple refrigeration companies specialise in providing freezers for ice cream shops. Some of these stores can also provide you with machinery such as gelato and ice cream makers. You can also purchase waffle cone makers from these suppliers.
You should take into consideration the space that the machines will take up in your store, especially the large refrigeration units. Thankfully, professional equipment suppliers are sometimes willing to help you map out the layout of your store, so don’t be shy to ask them for guidance.
Some of the suppliers are also able to train you in using the equipment you purchased through them. Alternatively, you can attend courses focused on ice cream production. Individuals situated closer to the Western Cape can turn to the Ice Team for training. But if you are closer to Johannesburg, you can reach out to The Chocolate Academy for training in ice cream making.
Now that you have a list of the equipment you need for each type of ice cream business, you can look forward to launching your shop. You can also rest assured that you are backed by experts who can help you with using equipment as well as providing you with quality equipment.
If you are looking for funding for your business, see if you qualify on our website.
