India is a land of ice cream lovers! Scratch that. Everyone loves ice cream. Be it kids, adults or older people, everyone is fond of ice-creams. The longest season that India experiences is- Summer, and what’s better than a chilled ice cream cone in your hand to beat the heat.
The ice cream industry has evolved a lot in India. In the 90s, people used to wait for hours and keep peeping through their windows to spot the ice cream cart passing by. Cut to the 2000s, ice cream parlours have come into the picture and have gained a huge base in the industry.
Let’s see how you can open an Ice-cream parlour in India in today’s time.
1. Deciding the format
Ice-creams are no longer just about the flavours. It is also about the texture, consistency and toppings. You need to decide the format of your ice cream parlour, whether it is live counter, nitrogen, cold stone, pre-packed, ice-cream rolls and etc. Once you have finalized the format, you can then calculate how much space will be required for your ice cream parlour.
2. Location
Location plays a very important role in the success of your parlor. Make sure to pick a place where there is a high footfall ratio. Location such as- malls, high-end fashion street, food street, children activities/fun area and etc. You should also make sure that the area you select is frequently visited by your target audience.
Also, buying an ice-cream is usually an impulse decision so make sure your parlor is easily accessible and there is ample parking space.
3. Menu
Once the format and the location are set you need to finalize the menu. You need to list down all the products that you’re planning to sell and flavors you will cater. It is advisable that you keep your prices low initially to attract more customers. You should not underestimate the power of word of mouth. Moreover, look around and observe the competition what prices and services they provide.
Focus on marketing your parlor be it making social presence, offer discounts, pamphlets, etc
Recommended read- How to Make Your Restaurant Insta Famous
4. Equipments & Staff
Let’s talk about the machines and manpower you will need to run your parlor.
Here’s a list of basic equipments you will need:
- Display Refrigerator
- Storage refrigerator (min 50 liters)
- Ice-cream maker
- Inventory storage unit and utensils
- Raw materials including packaging
- Furniture
- Miscellaneous
Check our blog List Of Equipment You Need To Open an Ice Cream Parlour for an exhaustive list!
If you are in an area where electricity outrage happens frequently then you need to invest in a noiseless generator as well. Without the generator you will face a lot of loss and food wastage as ice-cream melts away very quickly.
The good thing about having an Ice-cream parlor is that it doesn’t require a lot of staff. 2-3 people can successfully run the parlor. A cashier, a staff member who will manage front-end activities such as greeting the customer, suggesting the flavors and serving them and third staff member who will manage back-end activities such as inventory management, ice-cream making and accounting. Specially skilled labor such as chef or a bar tender is not required as making ice-creams is comparatively simpler.
5. Licenses
Ice-cream parlors don’t have to apply all kinds of licenses like a dine-in restaurant. However, there are a few licenses that they need to apply for compulsorily.
- FSSAI License
- Fire License
- Health & Trade license
- Eating out license (if your ice-cream parlor is in an open space)
Don’t forget to apply for late night license as 9PM onwards is the prime time for ice-cream consumption.
6. Marketing
Once your ice cream parlour has opened up, it is time for you to tell people about it!
Effective marketing strategies will help you create a buzz and attract a loyal customer base. To ensure a successful launch, it’s important to utilize a multi-faceted marketing approach. Begin by harnessing the power of social media platforms, enticing potential customers with visually stunning images of your tantalizing ice cream creations. Engage with your audience by running contests, encouraging them to share their own experiences and tagging your parlour. You can also collaborate with local influencers or bloggers to amplify your reach and generate word-of-mouth buzz.
Quick Tips for running your ice-cream parlor successfully
- Keep the taste consistent
- Create personal relations with your customer
- Ace your social media presence
- Register on food delivery apps
- Ice-cream market is very niche make sure to research well
- Keep innovative and introducing new flavors
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