Starting an ice cream truck can be very profitable. With proper planning, execution and hard work, you can enjoy great success. Below you will learn the keys to launching a successful ice cream truck.
Importantly, a critical step in starting an ice cream truck is to complete your business plan. To help you out, you should download Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template here.
14 Steps To Start an Ice Cream Truck:
- Choose the Name for Your Ice Cream Truck
- Develop Your Ice Cream Truck Business Plan
- Choose the Legal Structure for Your Ice Cream Truck
- Secure Startup Funding for Your Ice Cream Truck (If Needed)
- Secure a Location for Your Business
- Register Your Ice Cream Truck with the IRS
- Open a Business Bank Account
- Get a Business Credit Card
- Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
- Get Business Insurance for Your Ice Cream Truck
- Buy or Lease the Right Ice Cream Truck Equipment
- Develop Your Ice Cream Truck Marketing Materials
- Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Ice Cream Truck
- Open for Business
1. Choose the Name for Your Ice Cream Truck
The first step to starting an ice cream truck is to choose your business’ name.
This is a very important choice since your company name is your brand and will last for the lifetime of your business. Ideally you choose a name that is meaningful and memorable. Here are some tips for choosing a name for your ice cream truck:
- Make sure the name is available. Check your desired name against trademark databases and your state’s list of registered business names to see if it’s available. Also check to see if a suitable domain name is available.
- Keep it simple. The best names are usually ones that are easy to remember, pronounce and spell.
- Think about marketing. Come up with a name that reflects the desired brand and/or focus of your ice cream truck.
2. Develop Your Ice Cream Truck Business Plan
One of the most important steps in starting an ice cream business is to develop your ice cream truck business plan. The process of creating your plan ensures that you fully understand your market and your business strategy. The plan also provides you with a roadmap to follow and if needed, to present to funding sources to raise capital for your business.
Your business plan should include the following sections:
- Executive Summary – this section should summarize your entire business plan so readers can quickly understand the key details of your ice cream truck.
- Company Overview – this section tells the reader about the history of your ice cream truck and what type of ice cream truck you operate. For example, are you a traditional ice cream truck, a soft serve truck, or a gelato truck?
- Industry Analysis – here you will document key information about the ice cream truck industry. Conduct market research and document how big the industry is and what trends are affecting it.
- Customer Analysis – in this section, you will document who your ideal or target customers are and their demographics. For example, how old are they? Where do they live? What do they find important when purchasing products like the ones you will offer?
- Competitive Analysis – here you will document the key direct and indirect competitors you will face and how you will build competitive advantage.
- Marketing Plan – your marketing plan should address the 4Ps: Product, Price, Promotions and Place.
- Product: Determine and document what products/services you will offer
- Prices: Document the prices of your products/services
- Place: Where will your business be located and how will that location help you increase sales?
- Promotions: What promotional methods will you use to attract customers to your ice cream truck? For example, you might decide to use pay-per-click advertising, public relations, search engine optimization and/or social media marketing.
- Operations Plan – here you will determine the key processes you will need to run your day-to-day operations. You will also determine your staffing needs. Finally, in this section of your plan, you will create a projected growth timeline showing the milestones you hope to achieve in the coming years.
- Management Team – this section details the background of your company’s management team.
- Financial Plan – finally, the financial plan answers questions including the following:
- What startup costs will you incur?
- How will your ice cream truck make money?
- What are your projected sales and expenses for the next five years?
- Do you need to raise funding to launch your business?
3. Choose the Legal Structure for Your Ice Cream Truck
Next you need to choose a legal structure for your ice cream truck and register it and your business name with the Secretary of State in each state where you operate your business.
Below are the five most common legal structures:
1) Sole proprietorship
A sole proprietorship is a business entity in which the owner of the ice cream truck and the business are the same legal person. The owner of a sole proprietorship is responsible for all debts and obligations of the business. There are no formalities required to establish a sole proprietorship, and it is easy to set up and operate. The main advantage of a sole proprietorship is that it is simple and inexpensive to establish. The main disadvantage is that the owner is liable for all debts and obligations of the business.
2) Partnerships
A partnership is a legal structure that is popular among small businesses. It is an agreement between two or more people who want to start an ice cream truck together. The partners share in the profits and losses of the business.
The advantages of a partnership are that it is easy to set up, and the partners share in the profits and losses of the business. The disadvantages of a partnership are that the partners are jointly liable for the debts of the business, and disagreements between partners can be difficult to resolve.
3) Limited Liability Company (LLC)
A limited liability company, or LLC, is a type of business entity that provides limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners of an LLC are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The advantages of an LLC for an ice cream truck include flexibility in management, pass-through taxation (avoids double taxation as explained below), and limited personal liability. The disadvantages of an LLC include lack of availability in some states and self-employment taxes.
4) C Corporation
A C Corporation is a business entity that is separate from its owners. It has its own tax ID and can have shareholders. The main advantage of a C Corporation for an ice cream truck is that it offers limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The disadvantage is that C Corporations are subject to double taxation. This means that the corporation pays taxes on its profits, and the shareholders also pay taxes on their dividends.
5) S Corporation
An S Corporation is a type of corporation that provides its owners with limited liability protection and allows them to pass their business income through to their personal income tax returns, thus avoiding double taxation. There are several limitations on S Corporations including the number of shareholders they can have among others.
Once you register your ice cream truck, your state will send you your official “Articles of Incorporation.” You will need this among other documentation when establishing your banking account (see below). We recommend that you consult an attorney in determining which legal structure is best suited for your company.
4. Secure Startup Funding for Your Ice Cream Truck (If Needed)
In developing your ice cream truck business plan, you might have determined that you need to raise funding to launch your business.
If so, the main sources of funding for an ice cream truck to consider are personal savings, family and friends, credit card financing, bank loans, crowdfunding and angel investors. Angel investors are individuals who provide capital to early-stage businesses. Angel investors typically will invest in an ice cream truck that they believe has high potential for growth.
5. Secure a Location for Your Business
There are a few things to take into account when finding a location for your ice cream truck business. You’ll want to find a busy residential or commercial location with a lot of foot traffic since that’s where your customers will be. You’ll also want to make sure the spot is accessible and has plenty of parking available.
6. Register Your Ice Cream Truck with the IRS
Next, you need to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which will result in the IRS issuing you an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Most banks will require you to have an EIN in order to open up an account. In addition, in order to hire employees, you will need an EIN since that is how the IRS tracks your payroll tax payments.
Note that if you are a sole proprietor without employees, you generally do not need to get an EIN. Rather, you would use your social security number (instead of your EIN) as your taxpayer identification number.
7. Open a Business Bank Account
It is important to establish a bank account in your ice cream truck’s name. This process is fairly simple and involves the following steps:
- Identify and contact the bank you want to use
- Gather and present the required documents (generally include your company’s Articles of Incorporation, driver’s license or passport, and proof of address)
- Complete the bank’s application form and provide all relevant information
- Meet with a banker to discuss your business needs and establish a relationship with them
8. Get a Business Credit Card
You should get a business credit card for your ice cream truck to help you separate personal and business expenses.
You can either apply for a business credit card through your bank or apply for one through a credit card company.
When you’re applying for a business credit card, you’ll need to provide some information about your business. This includes the name of your business, the address of your business, and the type of business you’re running. You’ll also need to provide some information about yourself, including your name, Social Security number, and date of birth.
Once you’ve been approved for a business credit card, you’ll be able to use it to make purchases for your business. You can also use it to build your credit history which could be very important in securing loans and getting credit lines for your business in the future.
9. Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
Licenses and permits typically required to start an ice cream truck business are a business license, a food handler’s permit, and a seller’s permit. Depending on the state, you may also need a health permit or zoning permit.
10. Get Business Insurance for Your Ice Cream Truck
The type of insurance you need to operate an ice cream truck may vary depending on your state or municipality.
Some business insurance policies you should consider for your ice cream truck include:
- General liability insurance: This covers accidents and injuries that occur on your property. It also covers damages caused by your employees or products.
- Auto insurance: This type of insurance will cover if your truck is damaged or stolen.
- Workers’ compensation insurance: If you have employees, this type of policy works with your general liability policy to protect against workplace injuries and accidents. It also covers medical expenses and lost wages.
- Commercial property insurance: This covers damage to your property caused by fire, theft, or vandalism.
- Business interruption insurance: This covers lost income and expenses if your business is forced to close due to a covered event.
- Professional liability insurance: This protects your business against claims of professional negligence.
Find an insurance agent, tell them about your business and its needs, and they will recommend policies that fit those needs.
11. Buy or Lease the Right Ice Cream Truck Equipment
You will need a truck that can accommodate your operation, some freezer space, and an ice cream maker. You will also need some basic kitchen supplies, such as a stove, refrigerator, and sink. You may also want to consider investing in a soft serve machine.
12. Develop Your Ice Cream Truck Marketing Materials
Marketing materials will be required to attract and retain customers to your ice cream truck.
The key marketing materials you will need are as follows:
- Logo: Spend some time developing a good logo for your ice cream truck. Your logo will be printed on company stationery, business cards, marketing materials and so forth. The right logo can increase customer trust and awareness of your brand.
- Website: Likewise, a professional ice cream truck website provides potential customers with information about the products you offer, your company’s history, and contact information. Importantly, remember that the look and feel of your website will affect how customers perceive you..
- Social Media Accounts: establish social media accounts in your company’s name. Accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and/or other social media networks will help customers and others find and interact with your ice cream truck.
13. Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Ice Cream Truck
To run an ice cream truck business, you’ll need software to track your inventory, schedule, and finances. You may also want to invest in some software to manage your customer relations and marketing. There are many different kinds of software available, so do some research to find one that suits your needs.
14. Open for Business
You are now ready to open your ice cream truck. If you followed the steps above, you should be in a great position to build a successful business. Below are answers to frequently asked questions that might further help you.
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How to Start an Ice Cream Truck FAQs
Is it hard to start an ice cream truck?
It is not hard to start an ice cream truck because it requires a relatively small amount of startup capital. The most important thing to do before you get started is some market research. You’ll want to determine who your target customer is and what kind of ice cream they would be interested in purchasing.
How can I start an ice cream truck with no experience?
There are a few ways that you can start an ice cream truck business with no experience. You could start by doing some research on the internet or by talking to people who have started their own food truck businesses. You could also attend workshops or courses to learn how to start a business.
What type of ice cream truck is most profitable?
The profitability of an ice cream truck business depends on multiple factors, including the location of the company and the local demand for ice cream. However, in general, ice cream cones and specialty treats may be sold for higher prices than pre-packaged treats, leading to greater profitability.
How much does it cost to start an ice cream truck?
The cost of starting an ice cream truck costs between $10,000 and $50,000 to get your business up and running. The cost varies depending on the size and type of truck you choose, as well as the amount of inventory you carry. You can save money by purchasing a used truck. However, you may have to spend more on repairs and maintenance down the road versus a new truck.
What are the ongoing expenses for an ice cream truck?
One of the main ongoing expenses for an ice cream truck business is the cost of the ice cream itself. Many ice cream trucks also have to pay a fee each time they park in a particular spot. There may be other ongoing expenses, such as the cost of repairs, gasoline, and a salary for ice cream truck drivers.
How does an ice cream truck make money?
An ice cream truck business makes money by selling ice cream products like popsicles, ice cream cones, ice cream sandwiches, and other frozen treats. Most ice cream trucks will also sell other snacks like chips or candy, but the main focus is usually on frozen treats.
Is owning an ice cream truck profitable?
Yes, ice cream truck businesses can be profitable because they offer a convenient service. Ice cream trucks can sell a variety of ice cream flavors, as well as other frozen treats, such as popsicles and snow cones. This gives customers a wide variety of choices, which can attract them to the truck. Additionally, an ice cream truck typically has little overhead so that the business owner can generate a healthy profit margin. To ensure profitability, consider an ice cream truck business's seasonality and plan accordingly.
Why do ice cream trucks fail?
There could be many reasons why ice cream trucks fail, but one of the most common is because they don't have a strong business plan. Without a solid business plan, it can be difficult to make money selling ice cream from a truck. Another reason that ice cream trucks may fail is because they don't have the right marketing strategy. Finally, ice cream trucks may fail if they choose a location that doesn’t have enough customers.
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