ice cream shop Archives - ADI Electro Freeze Ohio

Frozen Cocktail Equipment

Mar 29, 2018 avanti 0

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.

When 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.

The Best Commercial Ice Cream Machine

Mar 29, 2018 avanti 0

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. As 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.

Starting A Frozen Dessert Business

Mar 29, 2018 avanti 0

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.

Location

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.