Start an Ice Cream Truck Business 1-2-3

Ice cream trucks have existed for many years, and they still draw a crowd when they drive down a neighborhood street. Although still a profitable business, these mobile businesses offer a variety of opportunities in the current market.

Some ice cream trucks now offer healthier food options like frozen yogurt, or special dessert-type treats. Some trucks may drive neighborhoods, but others can park outside an office building at lunchtime, cater an event or near a park to draw business.

Truck owners can make "mobile" announcements to customers via email to update them on their ever-changing location. Being mobile, ice cream trucks can be very low-overhead. An owner can start a business with one vehicle and grow the fleet gradually and essentially double or triple business profits.

This business is ideal for people who want to work for themselves, but not in the standard office environment. They must enjoy being around people, particularly children, and patience is a valuable asset.

Operating a mobile ice cream truck business requires several licenses and permits, and they will vary by city. Many ice cream truck businesses need a business license, vending permit, food handling permit, driver's license for the vehicle and insurance. You can find out requirements for your location by using the SBA.gov website, under the "Licenses and Permits" section.

Special training is not required to become an ice cream vendor, but getting educated on running an ice cream truck business can help you start making money your very first day in business.

Perry "The Ice Cream Guy" has operated a successful ice cream truck business for several years, earning $150-$250 profit a day - but he didn't start out as a huge success.

However, his years in the business taught him the tricks of the trade, which you can find out in his new start-up guide, "Ice Cream Truck Profits".

Since an ice cream truck business is mobile, the vehicle makes up a large part of the overhead cost. The vehicle also stores products, delivers items and advertises the business, so purchasing an ice cream truck is not a decision that should be taken lightly.

First review the regulations for vending vehicles in your area. In addition to the vehicle itself, you'll need equipment for food, freezers, music and safety features. Ice cream vendors generally use converted trucks, converted vans or converted buses to sell their wares, but ice cream trucks can also be custom designed. In addition, you can either buy or lease these vehicles.

For business planning templates, plus business forms and website to promote your company, see the Ice Cream Truck Business Plan (Includes Free Website, Business Forms & More).

Advertising for Ice Cream Trucks:

Besides the truck itself and the music it plays driving down the street, there are other ways you can attract ice cream buying customers and make people aware of your service. In addition, if you want to provide your ice cream truck service at community or private events for additional income, you'll want to let the public know about it.

Get Free Publicity - Besides advertising in your local yellow pages and placing ads in newspapers and neighborhood mailers, you can save money by sending a press release or "letter" to your local paper announcing the grand opening of your new business.

If you can offer a special discount or hold an event and tie it in with your grand opening, publications will find this more newsworthy and are more likely to publish news about your ice cream truck. Your press release can be short and simple, and you can find press release samples you can follow on this page: How to Write a Simple Press Release.

Set up a simple website for under $50/year to advertise your ice cream truck business. Help people find you in the search engines: get listed in 20 search engines for free or in 300 search engines for $4.

Local Search is becoming more and more popular. People are many times using online search instead of the traditional yellow pages to find local businesses. Local Search sources that are affordable and receive substantial traffic include: Google Local, Yelp, Super Pages and Insider Pages.

Offer coupons in neighborhood mailers or local newspapers to attract new customers to try your ice cream. You can use mailing services or design your own coupons using online coupon creators.

How to Start an Ice Cream Truck Business 1-2-3

Advertising for Ice Cream Trucks: