How to Start a Soft Serve Ice Cream Business

Soft serve ice cream is softer than the more traditional ice cream and is served from a machine rather than being hand-scooped. To have a successful soft serve ice cream business, you will need to have a great location, hard working staff and a pleasant atmosphere. 

1. Contact a real estate agent to help you find the perfect location for your business. It is best to go through an agent because they may know locations that are best suited for your business. 


2. Obtain an Employee Identification Number (EIN) through the IRS website or by calling them. You will need this EIN to hire staff members.


3. Register at your state’s Department of Revenue website for tax purposes. You can pay your taxes and file forms online.


4. Create a business plan for your soft serve business. The Small Business Administration’s website has sample plans in the resource area. To create a business plan, you will need a list of all the ice cream flavors you will be selling, what your working hours will be, an outline of your strategies for driving customers to your business, and your plans for what media venues you will use for promoting purposes.


5. Obtain funding for your business venture. The best place to start is the bank or credit union that you do business with. You will need a loan to build your capital and good liability insurance to ensure the bank for your loan.


6. Purchase insurance to protect your business against fire, theft and flood. You will also need insurance to cover your workers such as workers compensation, disability and unemployment. 


7. Obtain all the permits that you will need to run your business. Your local government has all the information you need on what permits are required. 


8. Visit several stores to obtain pricing on furniture and equipment. You will need tables, chairs, ice cream machine, countertops, stools and various other items.


9. Hire employees who are in high school or college and looking for work. These groups of employees work well in the summer, especially for high school students doing internships.


10. Create a website for your business or have one made for you. You can use the website to post photos of your establishment, let your customers know of upcoming specials and events as well as posting your menu.