The US industry-leading gelato manufacturer’s blog
Enjoying the Benefits of Owning and Operating Ice Cream & Gelato Franchises
Ice cream, frozen yogurt, banana splits, gelato, and other cool treats provide people in Colorado and worldwide with a familiar sweet taste of memories.
Dessert, unlike other meal options, is something you look forward to as you enjoy lunch or dinner.
It unlocks your taste buds in a way that savory snacks cannot, and those who love ice cream know the joy that comes with a fresh scoop.
If you are one of these people, pulling up your seat at the table in the gelato and ice cream industry may be lucrative for more than just your sweet tooth!
We all remember that cute little ice cream parlor we would visit with friends and family members; there is a certain level of nostalgia associated with every customer experience.
Hacking into your business plan for your gelato ice cream franchise may unlock and open doors to a new realm of possibilities!
Digging into the Gelato Ice Cream Business
For anyone intrigued by the idea of gelato ice cream franchises, unveiling the difference between gelato and ice cream is a great place to start.
While ice cream shops are an established archetype across the streets of America, people often confuse the two or group them together.
While there is no harm in that for the customer base, it creates a layer of complexity for anyone who wants to start selling authentic Italian gelato!
- Gelato is simply the Italian word for ice cream; however, the two treat options differ.
- Gelato is dense and offers a more extensive variety of flavors, more depth in flavor, and more decadent tastes.
- The average ice cream shop uses milk, a whole lot of cream, and sugar, making for a higher fat content.
- Gelato is churned slowly and can be stored at higher temperatures than ice cream.
- And gelato offers a premium turnkey solution for people curious about entering the dessert industry.
Gelato & Ice Cream Shops Offer Year-Round Business Opportunities
People who love ice cream and have experienced fresh new flavors or gelato aren’t just seeking things out in the Summer months.
Ice cream gelato franchises have quickly become a proven business model attracting customers within our competitive world.
Whether you are hoping that this will assist in generating revenue and boost your income, or you are looking for a more fulfilling position – you can find both!
Operating a gelateria and ice cream parlor may have higher foot traffic once the weather warms up for the Summer months, but it should stay open all year round!
Understanding the Cost of Equipment for Your Ice Cream Parlor
Gelato hit the scene and has been growing in popularity ever since.
The traditional ice cream business model and typical ice cream franchises have seen their levels of success with adequate marketing support and through the ongoing support of their customers.
When you set out to open up your own gelato ice cream franchise, making informed decisions is all a part of the process.
Therefore, piecing together your initial investment toward gelato ice cream franchise ownership, equipment, ingredients, comprehensive training, etc., must be evaluated to make your franchise successful!
High-Quality Equipment Yields Authentic Frozen Treats
Luckily, according to recent market trends, the loyal customer base is already waiting for you.
The equipment is a significant part of maintaining those gelato lovers while gaining new customers.
An ice cream shop can use basic components, a walk-in freezer for storing the ice cream, and general fridge components for display, as the details around production are not unique or authentic.
Gelato franchises require specialized equipment to produce an authentic product that will keep your menu fresh and exciting for customers.
Commercial kitchen equipment for your own ice cream shop will start at around $35,000.
While carrying the name of an established brand as a franchise owner, you are still the new kid on the block.
Several factors feed into your business flourishing, but much of it lies in your ability to balance quality while still producing a large quantity of goods.
Ingredients Costs in the Ice Cream Industry
Obtaining a new gelato ice cream business means a new set of responsibilities.
To control costs effectively year-round, you will need a better understanding of the logistics and details.
The raw materials that go into the ongoing support of your gelateria are relatively low, especially when compared to an ice cream shop, sandwich shop, and cafe.
For three to four months of business, you may spend about $35,000 on the necessary ingredients and any toppings or packaging.
There are much higher profit margins available for a gelato business, so sourcing organic ingredients through trusted suppliers will help you place your best foot forward.
Plus, with franchise business options, you can access established supply chains to source your ingredients, so your initial investment pays off!
Breaking Down Overhead Costs to Bring Your Gelato Vision to Life
Gelato ice cream shops provide business owners with low overhead costs!
Handspun gelato doesn’t require the same support modes as a traditional ice cream shop.
Gelato franchises give you the basics so you can start production and begin serving your customers and a new customer base quickly and easily!
Rent, Utilities, and staffing an Ice Cream Shop
Selling ice cream entails more space and a larger staff, whereas developing gelato doesn’t need a giant space, which will lower your rent costs and utility bills.
Gelaterias also doesn’t need the same number of staff, which will allow you to focus on fewer employees but provide those employees with extensive training and knowledge for high-quality service.
- Rent costs will vary depending on where you choose to plant your roots for the franchise, but most can begin at $8,000 to $25,000 and up.
- Basic operations and staffing for the first few months may cost about $50,000.
- Additional equipment and services to review all the paperwork, how you accept payments, cash registers, etc., can cost $10,000.
- Don’t forget about the decor and furnishings! Most gelato business owners will invest $15,000 to $30,000 in curating the space.
Unlocking Reduced Overhead Costs in the Gelato Industry
Reviewing the numbers helps determine financial feasibility for yourself and your potential business partners.
However, do not let the numbers alone remain the determining factor or a barrier between reaching your dreams of becoming a gelato ice cream franchise owner!
One of the many franchise benefits of working with an established brand is buying into a proven business model that offers stability, security, and room for creativity.
With this, you can also unlock secrets to the gelato industry.
Through your own experience, you will begin to manage the expenses, lowering the costs impacting your profits.
Developing Effective Marketing Strategies
Creating a successful gelato store or ice cream shop is one thing, but when you have the backup of a franchise, you are walking into something you can trust.
That doesn’t mean there won’t be hard work; establishing a strong online presence and planning a legitimate marketing strategy is critical to your business.
Sometimes, handing out free scoops and samples to start makes sense to pull in interest from new customers, but don’t expect to commit to one master marketing plan forever.
Promoting Your Gelato Shop to the Local Community & Beyond
There are various aspects of every business type that will need to find alignment within their immediate surroundings and continue to evolve with the times and modern changes throughout the external world.
- Focus on placing your new ice cream gelato business on Google and all the major internet search platforms.
- Cultivate a solid set of customer reviews to improve your ratings on those platforms.
- Invest in trustworthy website creators.
- Use social media, as that is how most community members will connect.
- Develop specific promotions to involve your clients that will beat out local competitors.
- You will need to continue prioritizing marketing and advertising as a business owner, and with Gelaterias, you may invest anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000 annually.
Evaluating Your Gelato Ice Cream Franchise Options
If your love of gelato has already been firmly planted, reviewing your Gelataria franchise options is next on the list.
You may want to take a look at the current franchise, compare that to the area where you are hoping to open your gelato ice cream shop, and contrast everything with current market trends and future possibilities!
- Define your personal goals and determine whether or not they align with your gelato ice cream franchise.
- Do a little bit of your own research into the world of ice cream vs. gelato and other frozen treats!
- Take a thorough look at your budget.
- Review the franchise disclosure and all documents necessary to purchase.
- Talk with other franchisees!
- Review the options for training, suppliers, and other methods of support.
Affordable Entry Inside the Franchise World
All of the best ice cream and gelato franchises are born out of passion, love, and a deep determination to serve others.
You don’t have to go into the business alone when opening a gelato franchise location.
- You can work with partners, investors, or silent investors.
- Many credible financial institutions will offer business loans for franchise opportunities.
Reviewing the numbers helps determine the financial feasibility for yourself and your potential ice cream business partners.
- Most gelato ice cream shops will cost anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000 to get off the runway.
However, do not let the numbers alone remain the determining factor or a barrier between reaching your dreams of becoming a gelato ice cream franchise owner!
Investing in Your Own Gelato Shop Takes Financial Planning for Financial Gain
If a gelato ice cream shop is your goal, it can take some financial planning, and asking those around you or professionals for additional support is perfectly acceptable.
Even if this is not something attainable in the short term, planning for a future that is successful in the long term gives you something to work towards.
Ultimately, all of this is for your benefit and financial gain, and it is no secret that investments are necessary to gain your projected profits and grab ahold of your dreams!
Why is the Franchise Model a Successful Business Model?
Answering whether it is profitable to open an ice cream franchise is not necessarily the question you need to ask.
Ice cream and gelato franchises are where it’s at!
Franchise opportunities offer loads of advantages and remain a very successful business model.
Franchisees benefit from the following:
- Low risk.
- You will have support for training, technical support, and general business assistance.
- They have been proven to outperform start-ups.
- Things are already characterized and standardized.
- There are flexible ways to purchase or become a part of a franchise.
- Financing is more accessible to obtain.
- There is still much space for creativity, innovation, and continued growth.
Know How to Boost Your Profitability
To fully expand and maximize your gelato ice cream shop profitability, you will need to commit to all of the following elements:
- Quality equipment and products.
- Excellent customer service.
- Affordable pricing that carries you through your business costs while still providing legitimate profit margins.
- Overall efficiency to minimize waste, remain in control of quantity, and streamline all processes associated with everyday operations.
- Understanding common gelato FAQs will help you get to know your product and properly promote it to your community members!
Streamlined Menu Vs. Pushing Past The Typical Flavors
While the usual ice cream parlor will promote a streamlined menu, most franchise opportunities do the same.
There have been new ways that this business model is changing how menus are distributed across locations.
A streamlined menu option is a great option when you first start, but this is not a characteristic you need to carry with you throughout your continued business operations.
You can stick with all the classics with gelato while offering new and innovative flavor options, toppings, serving options, etc.
Buying Multi-Units to Distribute Frozen Desserts
Gelato and coffee franchises are known for being an affordable business option.
Since the pricing is reasonable, you can purchase more than one location at a time!
You may not want to do this if you are just getting started with your franchise of choice, but everything is more straightforward with gelato.
Don’t lose sight of expanding, opening up your business to new opportunities, and tapping into your creativity.
Catering to the Sweet Tooth and Loyal Customers
Opening a gelateria also opens space to the immediate community, visitors, and tourists.
Food is already something that brings people together, and we have already established that desserts are used to make memories.
Your new gelato shop can quickly become a staple within the community – offering a place where residents can celebrate and connect, even for special events!
Grab Your Scoop of Sweet Success
Gelato has been an established delicacy, offering potential gelato shop owners fast growth, flexibility within the workplace, and investment that yields more than just financial gain.
But when you take hold of your destiny within the gelato world, most shops reveal annual revenues from $800,000 to $1,300,000.
These profits will only continue to grow with elite marketing strategies, additional customer volume, and reliable employees.
Scooping out a bowl of your own is simple with I Scream Gelato.
Be Your Own Boss & Join the Excellent I Scream Gelato Franchise Team
With the I Scream Gelato franchise, you will see a quick turnaround on your initial investment without all the ordinary competition of stock ice cream businesses.
You are one of the first in line, catching onto the gelato trend before others get to the table.
And with I Scream Gelato, frozen desserts and locally brewed coffee are so much more than just food and drink.
Kick off your start as an entrepreneur in the gelato universe and discover how the I Scream team can help fulfill your dreams while taking you on a fruitful journey!