Making Your Ice Cream Shop Menu Stand Out

How Important Is Creating The Right Ice Cream Shop Menu?

Very. Since we are all complex individuals, let us start off by saying there is no ideal menu to suit everyone’s needs. However, a menu is such a big part of the success of your store that you should put a lot of thought, effort and attention into when first creating it.

Menu is Marketing

Menu is just a list of products and prices. Your menu is your branding. It’s something they read in the store and something they may take with them.  For that reason alone it makes sense to have your branding and logo on it. Imagine when they take that menu home and hang it on their refrigerator, everytime they walk by and see your logo on that menu they’ll be reminded of your delicious creations.

Menu Matches Culture

Creating the right ice cream shop menu

Creating the right ice cream shop menu

When designing your menu keep in mind the culture of your store. The menu should reflect the personality and fun culture that makes up your store. Make sure it reflects the atmosphere you’ve built inside the store and has some character as a stand-alone piece. Remember menu matches culture and the dishes you are displaying on the menu should reflect that.

Be Visual

Help customers see the creations you offer by including pictures in your menu. Pictures sell and they can really help you sell the creations you can’t have out on display all day. This is a very visual business and pictures can be a big part of your marketing. Beyond pictures for your menu you should be thinking about your social media channels and using your pictures to attract new customers.

Be Clear

Though you want a visually unique menu that stands out, it’s important to clearly lay the content out. The last thing a customer wants is to be confused when reading the menu. Remember, people read left to right so you might want to think about placing the higher end items or best selling items on the left so people read them first. Product placement and legibility can have a big effect on sales for the best products you offer.

Price Elimination

Keep the focus on the product and not on the cost. You can avoid tire kickers and price shoppers by ditching the prices on the menu. If you do put prices on your menu, you should think about eliminating the dollar sign. The dollar sign can have psychological impact on the customer to avoid higher end products. Remember to always due your diligence and see what the competition in your area is charging. This doesn’t mean you have to charge less, it just gives you a measure of price but does not take into account creativity and ingredients.

Be Creative

Be creative, don’t be boring and copy other people’s creations. One of the best parts of owning your own shop is that you can get creative and experiment with your own creations. You can be an artist and create your own editable masterpieces that will keep customers coming back. Make your products and business stand out from the rest. Use different ingredients and flavors to create unique products that customers can only get at your place.

Words Matter

You’ll want to make sure you get creative with your words when describing your creations. Don’t just settle for a direct description of what it is, try to convey how it will taste or how they will feel after while eating it. Get your thesaurus out and start using some delicious adjectives to describe the items throughout the menu. Think carefully about how you describe your sizes as well. Could you use something other than just small, medium or large.

It’s going to be important to review your menu every season to review what’s selling and not selling well. Analyzing your menu every year allows you to adjust your products, ingredients and pricing. If something didn’t make you money last year perhaps eliminate it this year. By constantly monitoring and adjusting your ice cream shop menu you’ll be setting yourself up for future success.

Read More
hand dipped ice cream machines

Hand Dipped Ice Cream Machines

Ice cream shops across the Ohio valley have been serving America’s favorite dessert (ice cream) to customers for generations. At ADI, we’ve had a lot to do with that as we’ve been delivering quality and reliable hand dipped ice cream machines to storefronts all across the Ohio Valley for many years. There’s a reason the most successful ice cream shop owners across the valley come to us when it’s time for new ice cream equipment or parts – because we are the exclusive dealer of Electro Freeze in Ohio. No other line of ice cream machines have consistently proved themselves in reliability and and product consistency like the Electro Freeze line of frozen dessert machines.

With the variety of ice cream offerings and frozen treats available to everyone nowadays it’s important to note that Electro Freeze makes a machine for whichever product you serve at your ice cream shop. Whether it be water ice, custard, gelato or you go the traditional route and use one of our hand dipped ice cream machines, you can increase profits while maintaining (even lowering) costs with an Electro Freeze machine. An Electro Freeze hand dipped ice cream machine will help you create delicious, authentic, creamy, consistent and flavorful frozen dessert treats like frozen custard, water ice, gelato, sorbets and ice cream. Using an Electro Freeze hand dipped ice cream machine is just the beginning benefit when it comes to creating a genuinely unique product and generating profits in your shop. Combined with ADIEF’s customer focused business-building insights we’ll help you maximize your profits and grow your customer base all without compromising your unique, quality product. Of course, we can only call your product unique and quality if you’re making it on your own with an Electro Freeze machine. To use any other machine would put your product and store at risk.  You need reliability, consistency.Hand Dipped Ice Cream Machines

You can add more customers with the right machine

Purchasing, renting or leasing a new piece of equipment for your business is a big decision – and a big risk if you don’t choose the right piece of equipment. When choosing the right piece of equipment for your shop you’ll want assurance from the distributor and manufacturer that the machine delivers and adheres to the highest quality standards and support. That’s the kind of commitment you can expect from ADI and Electro Freeze. The great thing about the hand dipped ice cream machines from ADI and Electro Freeze is that the machines are known to be so reliable that little maintenance and replacement parts are needed throughout it’s life cycle. That relates to very little down time (if any) and very little cost associated with the maintenance, repair and replacement parts. That up-time translates into more product you can produce and the more consistent your product will be.

By adding a hand dipped ice cream machine in your store you will have the potential to create just about any dessert for you customer. This means you get to be very creative with you ingredients and flavors because you’ll be making everything from scratch. Whether you want to stick to the traditional flavors of chocolate and vanilla or start producing products to match the trends like organic and vegan products, you’ll be in good hands with an Electro Freeze machine.

 

 

Read More
Ice Cream Shop Checklist for Spring Openings

Ice Cream Shop Checklist for Spring Openings

For most ice cream shop owners across the country operating a store is a seasonal business. Therefore every spring owners are tasked with re-opening there store for another season. Which means owners have a whole slew of issues and concerns they need to address before actually opening the store. So, before you even begin to get things ready from an operational standpoint, use this ice cream shop checklist for spring openings to review the seasonal success drivers of your shop.

Prices

One of the most important factors in the success of your ice cream shop is pricing. If you haven’t raised your prices from previous years or aren’t considering a price increase from last year, then this is the year to do it. Increase prices. No one knows your customers better than you and there is no doubt you pride yourself on a quality product and great customer service. Your product and service is what separates you from your competition, therefore your prices should not be based on what your competitor is doing. Quality products demand a better price and customers who understand that do not hesitate paying a little extra for it. There’s a concern by many shop owners that increasing prices will decrease the amount of customers. Truth be told, if you increase your prices by only a little bit each season the customer may not even notice or remember what they paid last year. A couple of cent increase per product could have a tremendous impact on your bottom line. Think about it, if you increase a milkshake price by just a quarter then that 25 cent increase will add up to an even bigger number by the end of the season. The longer you’ve been in business the more reference points you should have on determining the right price points. Use the previous years data to gain insight. People will complain about price no matter what (even if you don’t increase the price). If you feel that you’re losing customers because of price then it’s time to look at another area of your operation because the price is not the factor that is driving them away.

Marketing

Another important factor before you open for the season is to have a plan in place for ongoing marketing during the season. Hopefully you have a marketing plan or calendar implemented for your business that you refer to and execute every month. If you don’t, then contact us and we can help you do that. This marketing plan or calendar will help you get a jump on things and keep you from scrambling when it comes to drumming up new business. This means your constantly posting videos and promotions to all of your social media accounts, your getting involved with and attending community events and you’re taking advantage of holidays to run specials in your store. If you have a plan, your chances for success greatly increase. Though this just skims the surface when it comes to marketing your ice cream shop, the good news is that we can help you with other channels of success when it comes to getting your name out there.

Equipment

The equipment is the lifeline of your shop and without quality equipment, your product and store will suffer. There’s a reason the most successful ice cream shops across the globe use Electro Freeze machines – because they produce a great product and they run forever with the proper maintenance. We’ve discussed this before in earlier blogs on why having the right equipment makes all the difference and how you should never compromise when it comes to buying equipment. This is common sense but all your equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and serviced before the season begins. If one of your machines goes down, even for just an hour, it can have a profound effect on your business. Make sure the machines are running efficiently and at the proper temperatures so as to eliminate wasteful spending. Do a quick audit and make sure you have important replacement parts in stock in case a machine does go down and you have your service company’s number available to employees at all times. We cannot stress enough about how much of an impact the right machines and properly maintained machines have on the bottom line of your business.

Store Aesthetics

Lastly, make sure your store is visually appealing to the customer. Your store should always be clean and inviting to customers. The overall layout and appearance of a store will have a tremendous impact on the customers mind. The store should be properly branded and instantly recognizable. The branding should be carried through all channels of the store including the color scheme and logos printed on your takeout products, cups and napkins. The colors, logos and fonts should always be the same and be carried out through all marketing aspects discussed above as well.

By using this ice cream shop checklist for spring openings you’ll avoid any pitfalls that occur during the early months of the season and set yourself up for success for the summer months. If you need any help, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

 

Read More
gravity or pressurized ice cream machine

Do I Buy A Gravity or Pressurized Ice Cream Machine For My Store

In the ice cream business you become familiar with certain terms such as overrun, product mix, pressurized machines and gravity machines. A Gravity or pressurized ice cream machine are types of soft serve frozen dessert machines that can be purchased to make your own soft serve ice cream, frozen yogurt, custard or sorbet. If you’re looking to open a ice cream store or frozen yogurt shop then you’ll need to decide whether to buy a gravity or pressurized ice cream machine for your store.

A gravity or pressurized ice cream machine? Each have their advantages and disadvantages over the other when it comes to product, price, volume, overrun, maintenance, texture and taste. Knowing the difference between a pressurized machine and a gravity machine and which one to purchase for your ice cream store will be a big decision that you cannot take lightly. So what’s the basic difference between the machines? A pressurized machine uses (pressurized) pumps to pull the product from the hopper to the freezing chamber. A gravity machine will use gravity (no pump needed) to pull the product from the hopper to the freezing chamber.

What’s overrun? Overrun refers to the amount of air added to the finished frozen dessert mix. Think of it as almost the fluffiness and stickiness of the product. The maximum overrun you can achieve with a pressurized machine is around 70%. That means for about 1 gallon of mix, you’ll get about 1.72 gallons of finished product. The maximum overrun you can get with a gravity machine is about 35%. So, if overrun is an important factor in your product then obviously a pressurized machine will do you justice.

Price: When it comes to investing in one of these machines, price should not be the only concern. However, since it’s always on the forefront of everyone’s mind, then a pressurized machine will run you a bit more than a gravity machine upfront. But what you also have to consider is the cost to run the machine over time and repair costs when the machine breaks down. A gravity machine will be a bit more economical in the long-term when you weigh these factors.

Maintenance: Maintenance plays a big part in how any machine functions over it’s lifetime. If you want to spend less time cleaning and more time making product then a gravity machine might be for you. Gravity ice cream machines have a lot less moving parts (pumps) making it easier and quicker to clean between batches.

Volume: An important factor in your machine purchase will the amount of customers or the volume your store does. If you’re running a high volume, high sales output then a pressurized machine will benefit you more because it can produce up to 25% more product per patch but remember, you’re going to spend more time cleaning and maintaining the machine. If you’re running a low volume soft serve store then a gravity machine will be ideal for you. It’s making lower volume, saving you time cleaning and maintaining the machine, plus the upfront cost of the machine is cheaper.

Texture: If you’re looking to produce a creamier, smoother texture with your ice cream then you should consider a pressurized machine. Remember a pressurized machine pumps more air into the product, producing overrun and the desired texture. Since there is less air added with a gravity machine the finished product will be a bit more dense and heavy. You also have to take into account the weight of the product you get with each. If you’re selling ice cream by the weight, then a gravity machine might be best since the product will come out heavier and more dense.

Taste: Taste is the ultimate deciding factor. A gravity machine is definitely going to produce a more intense taste and flavor since there is less air being added to it. With a pressurized machine, you might be able to serve bigger portions but the taste may not be as intense.

Though a pressurized or gravity machine may look the same, they function differently and the product they produce is different. The Electro Freeze 400 (left picture) series are gravity machines that are know throughout the industry for their extreme reliability. The Electro Freeze 5099 (right picture) is a pressurized machine praised for its high volume and extreme reliability.

If you need more information about a particular gravity or pressurized ice cream machine then feel free to reach out to us so we can address any issues or questions you may have.

Read More

The Right Batch Freezer Can Make or Break Your Business

The Right Batch Freezer Can Make or Break Your Business

If you’re in the ice cream business, looking to open an ice cream shop or serve any type of frozen dessert product in your restaurant then you know how important a batch freezer can be to customer retention. Having a batch freezer in your your ice cream shop, coffee shop, restaurant or cafe will allow you to produce almost endless flavor possibilities of homemade desserts everyday of the week using locally sourced, fresh, high quality ingredients.

Having the right batch freezer is important because the machine has to put out a consistent product every time, put out a quality product every time, be reliable, be easy to use, be affordable and most of all turn a profit for your store. If you don’t have the right batch freezer to mix, maintain, serve and freeze your product, not only will your customers notice the poor quality but you could lose money. So choosing and implementing the right batch freezers in your operations is absolutely critical to the success of your products and business.

Selecting the right batch freezer is one of the most important business decisions you’ll make in the frozen dessert industry. 

If you’re in the business then you probably know Electro Freeze machines are considered the premier choice in any high quality operation and their line of batch freezers are no exception. These dependable easy to use and maintain machines are known for their superior engineering, world class craftsmanship, and reliable performance. Electro Freeze batch freezers are not only affordable, but also a smart investment in your company’s future because the longevity of the machines and low down time is far cheaper than purchasing several mediocre machines through that same time period.

Electro Freeze offers 2 models of batch freezers, a 12 Quart (B12) and a 24 Quart (B24). Both are designed for easy maintenance and cleanup but also engineered for simplistic everyday use.

Both machines have built in water hose and faucet for ease of cleaning and filling. A large fill mouth makes adding ingredients and products a breeze. The revolutionary blade design combined with their exclusive auger design not only maximizes yield and batch run times but reduces agitation to the product allowing for a more consistent and gently blended product.

These machines are an excellent return on your investment but the real benefit is profit for your business. ADI Electro Freeze, we won’t just stop by just adding profit to your store with machines. Our team can help you maximize profits in additional ways. Whether its helping you develop menu ideas, sourcing ingredients, training your staff or promoting your store we’re here to ensure your success.

 

Batch Freezer - Electro Freeze B12

Electro Freeze B12 Batch Freezer

Medium Capacity Batch Freezer

This medium-capacity batch freezer produces high quality ice cream, sorbet, Italian ice, gelato, or sherbets.

  • Cam Door latch provides quick interior access
  • Exclusive Auger Design gently blends, reducing agitation and maintain product quality and consistency.
  • Auger and Dispensing Head Design leads to excellent product extraction and less flavor overlap.
  • Superior Product Quality is an Electro Freeze trademark unmatched frozen product quality through simple and effective design
  • Built-in Faucet with flex hose for fast and easy cleaning
  • Digital timer with audible alarm
  • Adjustable torque control for automatic operation/shutdown.

 

 

Batch Freezer - Electro Freeze B24Electro Freeze B24 Batch Freezer

High Capacity Batch Freezer

This high-capacity batch freezer makes large volumes and is simple and efficient, making it perfect for gelato, custard and water ice shops.

  • Cam Door latch provides quick interior access
  • Exclusive Auger Design gently blends, reducing agitation and maintain product quality and consistency.
  • Auger and Dispensing Head Design leads to excellent product extraction and less flavor overlap.
  • Superior Product Quality is an Electro Freeze trademark unmatched frozen product quality through simple and effective design
  • Built-in Faucet with flex hose for fast and easy cleaning
  • Digital timer with audible alarm
  • Adjustable torque control for automatic operation/shutdown.
Read More
frozen cocktail equipment

Frozen Cocktail Equipment

Frozen Cocktail Equipment

When it comes to creating a new revenue stream for your restaurant, bar or event production, adding frozen cocktail equipment into the service mix can add to the bottom line tremendously. At ADI Electro Freeze, we distribute and maintain frozen cocktail equipment that is designed specifically for frozen drinks. With the advances in frozen cocktail equipment efficiencies and new recipe ideas you’re no longer confined or limited to the traditional fruity, sticky, too sweet and artificially flavored mix usually found within frozen cocktails.

frozen cocktail equipmentWhen it comes to recipes and flavors you can craft just about any cocktail, libation or drink into frozen form and once you invest in some frozen cocktail equipment you can experiment and come up with your own ideas, recipes and flavors. Sure you could go the traditional route and just serve Piña Colodas, Mojitos, Daiquiris or Margaritas, like everyone else, but once you have some frozen cocktail equipment you’ll open yourself up (and your customers) to a whole new world. There are almost endless possibilities and combinations plus each recipe can easily be changed or tweaked for a whole new flavor or experience. Offering a frozen Sangria or frozen Frosé to your customers is a lot different than just the traditional blends of wine. But if you’re serving frozen fruity drinks and frozen wine spritzers, why stop there – break out your “Cold Fashioned” menu and start mixing frozen cocktails that aren’t traditionally served frozen. The good thing about experimenting with frozen drinks is that it introduces people to new and old recipes that they may not have ever considered. For instance, it highly doubtful anybody under forty years of age will ask for an Old Fashioned, they don’t even know what it is – besides something grand dad used to drink. However if you put a new spin on it and offer a Cold Fashioned, they may try it and like it – thus forever ordering an Old Fashioned from now on ($$). You can easily switch flavors every day/every week to keep patrons surprised and coming back for more treats.

With the right frozen cocktail equipment, you and your staff can deliver quality frozen drinks quickly, efficiently and consistently plus effectively measure your liquor control count and costs. You’ll increase bartender labor efficiency by having fresh pre-made mix ready to go as opposed to crushing ice in a blender for every specific customer. No matter what the setup is in your bar, restaurant or event stand, ADI Electro Freeze has the equipment to best fit your situation, needs and revenue goals when it comes to frozen cocktail equipment. One of our representatives can assist with any planning, setup customization or maintenance to best fit your stores operational goals.

Read More

The Best Commercial Ice Cream Machine

One question we get the most often is: What is the best commercial ice cream machine for my ice cream shop? It may seem like a simple question, the answer however is a bit more complicated than just spouting out a machine and model number. There are a lot of factors that go into buying a machine for your shop and being that your shop is different from the thousands of other shops out there – there are many variables you will need to consider before purchasing the best commercial ice cream machine. Now, overwhelmingly when we get asked that question, our immediate response is always Electro Freeze machines, but that’s only answers half of the question. Before we can provide a real answer, we’ll need some additional information about your store.

Ice cream and frozen dessert shop owners know that when it comes to making their product, the machines they use to make and serve it is in direct correlation to the quality of product they serve to their customers. As a shop owners we all want to provide the best quality ice cream to our patrons, no matter what, that’s what keeps them coming back. There are many steps that go into making ice cream on a large scale and being consistent with those steps every time gives you the best chance to keep your product consistent with quality. However if you throw a unreliable machine into that equation, your recipe for quality and consistency goes right out the window. So, the best commercial ice cream machine will naturally be made with care using quality parts and as you are aware, high quality usually comes at a price. Not that it’s a bad thing, because that saying, you get what you pay for is usually true. If you spend the extra money upfront on a quality machine like the Electro Freeze line then it will save you money down the road with less breakdowns and replacement parts needed, plus it will provide you with a consistent quality product time and time again.

As your ice cream shop partner and consultant we like to make you aware of several factors that you need to consider when purchasing, renting or leasing the best commercial ice cream machine. the best commercial ice cream machineAs we mentioned, most every ice cream shop is different or unique in their own way which means every location is a bit different. Depending where your store is located, the square footage available and the set up of your shop will be an important factor when choosing a machine. Whether it’s in a strip mall, retail mall, a downtown district or a stand alone building, how much room you have for your machines will be something to consider. For example if you have a self service shop with the machines in the wall, you may not need a standing full length machine…a counter top model might work better for you. If space is not an issue then using a full length standing machine can work for you and the nice thing about these machines are that they usually come with casters so you can move it wherever.

 

How much frozen product are you going to be making and serving to your customers. In order to find the best commercial ice cream machine for your business, you’ll need to know what capacity machine you’ll need. If you’re doing high volume then you’ll want a high capacity machine. If you’re serving a lower number of people, then a lower capacity machine might work better for your shop and budget.

What is your specialty product? You may specialize in one product that outsells everything else. Depending what product that is, there may be a machine specifically for such product. For example if milkshakes are your forte then you would want to look at the Electro Freeze CS700 milkshake machine.

Though these are just a few examples, there are many other factors that go into finding the ideal machine for your shop. If you’re interested in finding out more about specific machines then contact us for a consultation – we’ll help you find the best commercial ice cream machine for your business.

Read More
self serve frozen yogurt machines

Self Serve Frozen Yogurt Machines

self serve frozen yogurt machines

If you run a self service ice cream shop then you know how important it is to have the right self serve frozen yogurt machines in your store to deliver quality products. The pride you feel when delivering the finest quality product to your customers is unmatched. But aside from just delivering a good product to your customers, the machines in your store need to be dependable, reliable and easy to use as well.self serve frozen yogurt machines

Choosing the right machines for your ice cream or frozen yogurt shop will make or break your business. You can choose to purchase a lower cost machine which will save you money upfront, but will cost more in the long term to maintain over time because of constant break downs and needed repairs. Spending a little more upfront will mean a higher quality machine that will produce consistently for years to come with little maintenance costs. There are several advantages to purchasing a high quality self serve frozen yogurt machine for your store. Dependability and usability are high on that list but just as important is the quality of product you provide to your customers. The reputation of any frozen dessert shop has a lot to do with delivering a quality product while providing the best service to your customers. Delivering the best product has everything to do with using the right self serve frozen yogurt machine. You want a machine that will churn out product consistently day after day. Inconsistency in your product will not keep your customers coming back, providing a consistent product will.

Dependable and reliable machines like the Electro Freeze brand can last many years with proper maintenance. Know that if you pay a little more for a machine upfront, it can save you a lot of money down the road. You never want to tell customers you can’t service them because your machine is broke and is in need of repair. Not only is that bad for business but bad for your wallet – buying new parts or paying a repairman will only eat into your profits. When you buy a quality machine it will pay for itself many times over in the long run because it’s made with care using quality parts and machinery. Bottom line, it will run more efficiently, at longer hours with less mechanical breakdowns. What’s more, if you do have a self serve shop, you may not have a trained person pouring the the product at all times, but rather the general public. That means the machines will not only have to be durable but easy to use.

self serve frozen yogurt machinesSelf serve frozen yogurt machines come in both floor models and counter top models. Depending on how your store is setup you may have a preference for one over the other.  Floor models are on rollers and extend from the floor up and are generally high capacity. An example of a high capacity floor model is the SLX 400C or SLX500 from Electro Freeze.  If you’re tight on space or want a lower capacity machine you could consider a counter-top model such as the CS4 or CS8 from Electro Freeze. Regardless of which one of these machines you purchase, you’ll be making quality frozen yogurt for years to come.

If you are an owner of a restaurant and want to add additional offerings to your menu, these machines make a worth while investment. They can add a whole new revenue stream to your business.

 

Read More
self serve frozen yogurt machines

Starting A Frozen Dessert Business

Starting a Frozen Dessert Business

If you’re thinking about starting a frozen dessert business, ice cream shop or gelato store then you’ve picked a great time to get into this exciting business. There are many wonderful opportunities and options to consider when entering this business venture. This article will give you some things to think about and some things you might not have thought about when starting a frozen dessert business.

Know the the Competition
Before anything else, find out if there is a demand in your chosen area. If there is already a store in the neighborhood then explore their products and offerings to see if you can offer anything different. Just because there is already a store doesn’t mean you can’t open a new one and do things differently or better.

Get a Plan
Before you get into the nitty-gritty of figuring out costs, you’ll need a solid plan on what type of ice cream/frozen yogurt shop you’re planning on opening. There are two types that you can look into: a self service shop or full service shop. Full service means you and the machines are behind the counter creating desserts for customers. Typically you can charge customers a set price for certain sizes and products for this type of set up. A self-service store allows your customers to pour their own product and choose their own toppings. Typically with this type of set up you’ll charge your customers per weight.

Consider Costs
Keeping costs low and yielding profits is the goal of any business.  It will be no different with your ice cream shop, however, you’ll need start-up capitol to get your store off the ground first.  Estimates to start a new store range anywhere from $10,000 to well beyond $50,000. But start-up costs aren’t the only thing to consider. You’ll need to get a grasp on the operational costs involved in running the day to day. Supplies, inventory, rent, electricity all need to be considered into this factor. If you plan on hiring employees you’ll need a plan on how to pay them and train them. Basically, you’ll need to know how much product you’ll need to sell every month to cover your expenses and turn a profit. Financing, whether through a bank or personal savings, will be a major hurdle figure out. How much you need to open the shop and support the operations until you start turning a profit will be something your investors may need to know before they loan you the money.

LocationStarting A Frozen Dessert Business
Obviously location will play a big part in the success or your store. If there is already a competitor within a mile or two then you may need to really consider the location a little harder as you don’t want to be in an already saturated market. However, if that location is in a busy shopping area with a lot of foot traffic, is near other attractions or has high traffic, it could be an ideal location. You may be able to secure a lease from a property owner who has all the proper zoning a codes in place already, which could save you time and effort in the next step.

Local City Rules
Business rules and taxes vary from state to state, city to city. Having the correct paperwork, licenses and building permits will be necessary. Food services will need special licenses and permits from the health department showing your restaurant is clean and able to prepare and serve food safely. Meeting building and zoning requirements will all vary from city to city. Also, insurance can never be overlooked, so do your research on what type is needed and how much. Though this process can frustrating and terribly slow, it is vital when starting a frozen dessert business.

Equipment
The equipment you use to make and serve your product will have a huge impact on your customers and your shop. When it comes to choosing your equipment, you’ll be presented with many options and choices. Knowing the different kind of machines, like gravity vs pressurized will play into what kind of store you plan to open (full service vs self service). The cost of machines can vary greatly but investing in higher end machines upfront, like the Electro Freeze brand, will mean less expense down the road. These machines will break down less, require less maintenance, provide a consistent product and deliver on quality. Be sure to partner with a distributor who can provide you the necessary resources to install, maintain and service the machines. Having a relationship with a company like Electro Freeze Ohio not only means your store and customer needs will be met from concept to completion but any future consultation, part or supplies can be fulfilled as well.

 

Suppliers

Having the right relationship with a food service supplier will help keep costs low and keep your product consistent.  The choice of ingredients and mix you use will determine the taste for your store. Not only will they be able to provide you with the food ingredients but also other supplies like cups, spoons, napkins and cleaning supplies. Initially, you’ll need to decide on whether to use a dry mix or a liquid mix to make your product. Deciding between the two will align with your type of store, your machines, your costs and taste of your product.

Design and Branding

Branding is what will create loyal customers. The concept and layout of your store will have a huge impact on the return rate of your customers. You want to create a destination, not just another ice cream shop. Colors, layout, furniture and design will all work together to make a comfortable, friendly and inviting environment for your customers. When it comes to branding your store, start with the name and logo. The colors chosen for your logo should flow throughout the environment of the shop and the products you create. Nothing will create customer loyalty like branding your own products – make sure all your novelty products that you sell have carry your logo on it.

As you can see, there are a lot of things to think about and consider when starting a frozen dessert business. Running a business requires, time, money, commitment and resources. Luckily, there are companies like ADI EF that can help you with all of this. From your initial concept to serving customers, they can help with the entire process. Talk to them before taking your next step.

 

Read More
Choose the Right Frozen Dessert Equipment for Your Shop

Choose the Right Frozen Dessert Equipment for Your Shop

How do you choose the right frozen dessert equipment for your shop?

The frozen dessert industry is experiencing phenomenal growth and more and more people are exploring this exceptional business model everyday. When opening a frozen dessert shop, stand, restaurant or parlor you can invest as little or as much money as you want, however that investment will not just start in the monetary sense, there will also be a time and resource investment as well.

Choose the Right Frozen Dessert Equipment for Your Shop

Electro Freeze Ohio

To get the most out of your TMR (time, money, resource) investment, grow your business and make more profit means you need to choose the right frozen dessert equipment for your shop. In addition, one of the biggest hurdles in opening or expanding a frozen dessert business is knowing what equipment to buy and how to operate the equipment to make a consistent product every time. ADI Electro Freeze can help in the process of helping you select and buy the right equipment for your store. Whether it be brand new equipment or used equipment we specialize in consulting with shop owners and restaurants in making sure the proper machine is purchased and utilized for their specific purpose. We specialize in Electro Freeze machines which are considered to be the premiere manufacturer of all commercial frozen dessert equipment.

 

Believe us when we say the quality of the machine counts. The last thing you need is for a machine to break down, be difficult to clean, keep the wrong temperature or provide an inconsistent product. You only want to buy a machine once and with Electro Freeze machines, your investment will yield results.

So, how do you choose the right frozen dessert equipment for your shop? Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind.

Quality. A well made machine will cost you less in the long run. Quality means less down time, less breakdowns, more efficiency and better product.

Capacity. The capacity of a machine is measured in the servings per minute. Generally machines come in a high, medium and low capacity. If you run a self serve store then a low or medium capacity machine will work for you. However if you have a consistently busy line at your window you’ll want a high capacity machine.

Maintenance. Cleaning the machine is one of the most important factors you’ll have to deal with when in operation. Daily cleaning and sanitizing will be important because you’re dealing with diary products and health departments within county and state agencies will keep an eye out. Having a machine that is easy to clean makes your life and your employees life’s much easier and your operation more efficient. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice man power and hours to get your machines clean.

We help our customers get the best possible deal by matching and aligning your concept, budget and goals.  We hope this article and these tips help point you in the right direction when it comes to choosing equipment. However, these tips and this article are merely skimming the service when it comes to the information you’ll need to choose the right frozen dessert equipment for your shop.

Read More