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Ice Cream Business Plan Sample

NOV.19, 2020

ice cream shop business plan

Ice Cream Shop business plan for starting your own ice cream shop

  The primary purpose of this ice cream shop business plan is to highlight the parameters by which principals will continue to build, develop, and operate an ice cream shop, which owns a prominent location.

Kevin D, the managing director of the ice cream shop, and the owner of the Ice Shop Company, Inc., are confident and eager to find a larger store within Texas (United States).

Kevin D, The American Ice Shopping Company, Inc., and owners Marry, and Evan Dwyer hope the store will be a success among other national stores already committed to doing business in Texas.

How to open an ice cream store

To open an ice cream store, it is very important to have a parking space. Buying ice cream is usually the customer’s impulse decision. Therefore, an ice cream shop should be easily accessible and have adequate parking. Find a location near businesses such as markets, baby clothing/toy stores or family restaurants .

Executive Summary

  Kevin D (owner), of the Ice Cream Shop, this single retail store will sell the ice creams and related products, all of which will be made by the owner under its own name.

Proceeds will be primarily from the sale of ice cream and related products consumed within the Davis Plaza. Owners will also sell ice cream cakes, traditional cakes, birthday cakes and cola products. Sales in the first year are expected to reach $74,890.00 and will grow at an average annual rate per year for the first five years of operation.

How to start a business?

Ice Cream Business Plan - Startup Cost

  In this Ice cream startup business plan , we expect the initial required costs of $75,000 to $100,000 based on the cost of starting the ice cream shop and other liability. We are not expecting for the loan as of now. Therefore, we will be bearing the startup cost initially.

How to implement business management?

The principals, themselves, will manage this ice cream business plan . A qualified person will be the hand-in-hand manager for the day-to-day operations of the shop, with the help of the department. The manager will have the following responsibilities and perform the following duties:

Customers of ice cream shop

Without any customers, it doesn’t matter how big your ice cream is. Customers are the most important thing for any business to succeed. How to promote your new ice cream business ?

Well, there is the old-fashioned way and the modern technological way. You have to do both!

What target of this business?

The main goal of the ice cream startup business plan is to offer products related to ice cream advertising to large and small stores at regular national and international discounts on regular wholesale-purchase orders at competitive rates. We want to stand out from the other shop owners and offer a wide range of products that surpass our competitors, thus making our ice cream business plan a more attractive option.

 Company Summary

The company will be owned by Kevin D and one or two additional partners. Currently, no investment has been received from the other owners. However, it will hold a majority stake in the company under Kevin’s control. A buy/sell agreement with other investors will be established when a limited liability company (LLC) is formed to allow an exit strategy for one or all investors.

  • Plan your business

When starting an ice cream shop, the business/startup, the shop owner will involve a consultant to help implement a business plan early on. Ice cream shop or store Expenditure Budget / Funds for a Startup – Comes from legacy and business credit.

  • Define your brand

The ice cream shop’s measuring stick will be its unique approach to how to start a ice cream shop for personal customization based on customer satisfaction and customer needs. No customer is the same; they will not be treated generously. We are not only another shops, we

  • How to advertise and market a business

In the business plan for ice cream store , will be very involved in the promotion and marketing of the social media market. Digital marketing is at the heart of any successful ice cream business plan  today. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn will be the main target areas. A full-time digital marketing expert will be hired to run this page of the business to maintain its presence online.

  • Establish web presence

A new website is currently under construction to engage the most effective web presence. It engages customers and gets new ones. Customers can order online as well as go to the store. Thus, it attracts a large customer base. Staying up to date with Google Analytics is key to maintaining a high search level.

 Company owner

The owner of the ice cream shop is a young man Kevin D who has a career in university. Kevin D comes from a family that has been in the ice cream and custard/food industry for two generations and dreamed of one day owning his own ice cream shop business. His knowledge of the field of food industry is immense, and his effort will be greatly appreciated.

 Why the ice cream shop is being started

Coming from a long line of family business owners, he always knew that he wanted to create his own identity in life, to be his own boss, to create his own new company from scratch. With this in mind, the university was her starting point. They need to gain more knowledge than she already has to ensure the success of her ice cream business plan .

 How the ice cream shop will be started

A lucky legacy enables the birth of an ice cream shop with a small business loan and the business plan for ice cream store . Besides, help from a business partner, consultant, and family business owner, the business will be operated.

In the sample business plan for ice cream shop , the owner is highlighting that the customers can choose the taste of frozen custard (vanilla, chocolate and one or two additional daily flavors) and then mix it with the Italian ice flavors of their choice (more than 30 flavors are offered daily to the customers). In addition, the customers can enjoy their desserts in a warm, soothing atmosphere like the upstairs of the ice cream shop.

The Products

  • It tastes rich because it is made with an egg base.
  • Low in fat and sugar than most premium ice creams
  • Smooth and creamy texture.
  • Taste of antique home (made fresh every day.)
  • High density (it fills more than soft service due to low wind gusts.)
  • Italian ice

Fruit-flavored ice cream with a smooth texture (very small ice crystals)

  • A sweet and fat-free frozen product
  • Made without milk or egg products
  • Made with real fruit concentrate
  • The consistency of a slash

Marketing Analysis of Ice Cream Shop Business

Market trends.

In recent 4 to 5 years, the ice cream and frozen confectionery industry have seen significant growth. Much of this growth has come in the premium and super-premium ice cream segment. Kevin’s Ice cream shop will serve products that come in the premium ice cream segment. Premium and super-premium products are commonly found in scoop stores such as Goldstone Creamery, Ben & Jerry and Prince Bucklers.

  • 13% over 65 Years
  • 45 to 25% between 45 to 64 Year
  • 25% from 25 to 45 Years
  • 12% from 18 to 25 Years

Marketing Segmentation

Customer groups for Kevin’s Ice Cream shop will be:

Ice Cream Business Plan - Market Segmentation

  • 18-24 year olds

For the ice cream business plan project our market research identifies approximately 38,000 customers in the Texas area within this age range. The target customer is going to be the central part of “Ice cream shop”: half college students and half locals. They tend to spend more on expensive products than they buy.

  • First families

These are the children who grew up in the Texas and nearby population. Most of their children are not yet teenagers. By targeting this group, we can not only build a large-scale instant business but also build long-term clients in children.

Increasing our downtown location and customer base will attract customers outside of our target groups, including those attending Saturday market, coming to town to shop, or attending plays or music events. We estimate that this third market segment of about 3,160 people (1% of the total local population) is conservative.

Business Target

16-24 year olds age group customers go out for ice cream more than any other age group. Among the 16-24 age group, the “Texas” location is important because they occupy a large area around the store location. They are accessible through music, mostly R&B, and they prefer valuable products that are compatible with our product offering.

Ice Cream Business Plan - 3 Years Profit Forecast

What is the target Market?

The “first families” were chosen because of their growing population, number, and desire to go out frequently for ice creams. Their lifestyle is particular because they are the most accessible group to market. They all have young children, so strategies towards children or child-related markets can be very useful in testing and developing sales.

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In the ice cream businesses, we plan to reach the first families with their children. Kevin’s Ice Cream shop will sponsor a small league ball team and provide free ice creams on days when players win a game. This will draw them and their families to the store.

How to keep customers coming back?

  We also invite local elementary schools to visit our facilities. We will teach children how to make ice creams with various flavors. We allow each child to create their work; we hope they enjoy their time in our scoop shop so much that they wish to bring their parents back.

What will be the average receipt of the business?

The average customer receipt will range from $ 10 to $ 100, depending on the size of the business ordering the ice creams. Items purchased in bulk expect an average of $ 1000 receipt.

Product Pricing

Our prices are very low so that even middle class people can buy such products and get it easily. Therefore, our goal is to include all kinds of customers who want to have an unique taste and a variety of ice creams.

Marketing Strategy

Our online presence will increase our marketing online in the form of a professional website compatible with mobile phones. We direct traffic through our site by using/delivering an add-on to our customers. It will be essential to create regular food-centric content with keywords that are guaranteed to get high marks in search engines. We post the best offers on social media sites like our Facebook page to engage our followers and buy and click on our website. Using Facebook and Instagram ads for businesses to promote our products will be part of our implementation in Offset.

Competitive analysis

Kevin’s Ice Cream Shop has two competitive analysis points:

  • Rich and creamy, high class, low fat, frozen desserts.
  • Our friendly, neighborly attitude to our customers.

Both of these selling points help to achieve the overall goals of a consistent customer base with continuous sales. Our focus on paying personal attention to our customers, and engaging in local events and clubs will set us apart from our competitors.

Sales Strategy

Our sales strategy is primarily focused on delivering the highest quality products and services to our target customers. Once a customer enters our shop, it is our job to make sure their experience with us is enjoyable. Product offers and prices are clearly posted behind the counter, and scoopers are educated about the products and processes involved in each, so they can answer all customer questions.

Sales Monthly

The Ice cream shop business may not be able to take a profit margin in the very first month, but our plan is to do so in order to mitigate that plan quickly. However, in terms of sales, we expect a rapid increase in the first four weeks of the store.

Ice Cream Business Plan

Sales Yearly

For the First and second years in a row, we expect a total increase of 36-40% in sales due to a modest annual sales volume and the dramatic difference between the monthly average of the opening months and their peers in the second year. In the third year, we expect a conservative 16% increase in sales revenue.

Ice Cream Business Plan - Seles Yearly

Sales Forecast

In the ice cream business proposal , our sales forecast is mainly determined by the foot traffic in the area, the season of the year and the current weather. The sales for the first year will be based on this plan are approximately $70,000.00 to $80,000.00 and $80,00.00 to $90,000.00 for the second year and $90,000.00 to $100,000.00 for the third year.

Ice Cream Business Plan

Personnel plan

We expect seasonal hiring of part-time employees. Since we do not offer any benefits to our employees, full-time employees will not be hired in the first year.

We expect two or three part-time employees to start working in May, except for two or three employers. Our two or three employees will share the hours per week because we expect the paid employee to work an average of 5 hours a day, seven days a week.

Company Staff

What staff needed to open a company?

For opening an ice cream shop or company the basic staff will be sufficient, which are as below-

  •   Part-time employees
  • Owner – Kevin D
  • Other Owner(s)

Average Salary of Employees

How much costs average salary for all employees?

To start an Ice cream shop business, the following table describes the average annual salary of each employee and the total salary for the next 3 years –

Financial Plan

The growth is expected to increase from the second year of the owners of Kevin D’s ice cream shop. In addition, there will be a need of some extra fund to maintain the required inventory levels and to purchase additional inventory if sales are higher than expected. No other immediate financial needs are expected.

Important Assumptions

An important assumption is the initial sales forecasts. We made this estimate based on an hourly average found at a local ice cream shop. We are significantly reducing the number due to the weather, our unknown brand name, and foot traffic. These ratings are very conservative, and we expect real sales to surpass them immediately.

Brake-even Analysis

The gap-equivalence analysis shows that Kevin’s Ice cream shop has sufficient sales strength to be viable. Our breakpoint is $$6,719 per month. We estimate our average selling price to be $2.50, which is the approximate selling price for medium-sized ice cream at our retail outlet.

Ice Cream Business Plan - Break-even Analysis

Projected Profit and Loss

In the first year, we expect a Profit of $10,000 to $12,000. This is mostly due to losses incurred in the opening months and continued pay and other expenses. Next year, we expect to see a steady and steady profit level of $17,000, to $18,000 and we expect our profit to rise to $27,000 to $29,500 in the third year.

Profit Monthly

The initial months’ profit we make can sustain all our operations and give us enough dividends to invest in the future growth of the ice cream business.

Ice Cream Business Plan - Profit Monthle

Profit Yearly

As already mentioned, we may be at a loss for the first-months operations, but we expect to touch the profit base within 3 or 4 months of operation so that our annual profits can recover all the losses.

Ice Cream Business Plan - Profit Yearly

Gross Margin Monthly

In the first 5 to 6 months, the profit margins will be negative; however, we expect a thicker margin base as profits increase.

Ice Cream Business Plan Gross Magazin Monthly

Gross Margin Yearly

Annual margins will be better in the upcoming years. Also, this will help us expand our business and reach a more extensive customer base.

Ice Cream Business Plan - Gross margin Yearly

Projected Cash Flow

Kevin’s Ice cream shop expects to manage the cash flow in the first year with the help of cash and cash reserves from our first year loss of $17,000 to $18,000.

Projected Balance Sheet

As stated earlier, owners insist on long-term growth in business value rather than short-term returns. Our projected balance sheet shows a decrease in net worth from $6,000 to $7,000 in the first year. However, starting from the second year, we expect our net worth to increase to $5,000 to $6,500 gradually, and by the end of the third year, the value of the company will increase to $21,000 to $22,000.

Business Ratios

Our total margin is significantly higher than the industry average. We believe this is because the vast majority of the industry is made up of large-scale manufacturers using economies.

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Ice Cream Shop Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Ice Cream Shop business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Ice Cream Shop businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Ice Cream Shop business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Frostee Delights Shop is a startup ice cream company located in Nashville, Tennessee. The shop is founded by Janice Maynor, who has experience in operating an ice cream shop. Now, with the expertise of knowledge and business acumen, she has determined she can confidently start and effectively grow a successful ice cream shop. She believes her experience of strategic growth, marketing skills, financial capabilities, and wide and deep knowledge of ice cream making and selling will provide everything needed for long-term growth and profitability.

Frostee Delights Shop will provide a comprehensive array of ice creams, sherbets, frozen yogurt and other assorted frozen treats for a wide variety of clients. Frostee Delights Shop will be the premier ice cream shop, providing frozen and delicious products to each client while supporting the strategic goals of the shop. Frostee Delights Shop will be the ultimate choice in ice cream and frozen treats for clients to ensure that every need of the customer is fully and completely met.

Product Offering

The following are the products and services that Frostee Delights Shop will provide:

  • A wide range of frozen dessert treats, including ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbets, nonfat frozen ice treats and Italian gelatos
  • Ice cream cones in various configurations, including giant waffle cones, sweet tortilla cones, and specialty chocolate-dipped cones
  • Nonfat and low fat frozen desserts
  • Free “Today’s My Birthday!” ice cream cone
  • Gluten-free waffle cones and gluten-free frozen treats
  • Prepared Ice cream cakes in multiple sizes for pick-up
  • Online “Speedy 15 Minute” express pick-up service
  • Discount for orders over $40; Discount for parties and special events
  • Free delivery on orders over $100

Customer Focus

Frosty Delights Shop will target all individuals within the greater Nashville area. They will target families, birthday party groups, and wedding parties. They will also target citywide businesses and government entities that occasionally host large groups. They will target schools with K-12 students, as well as city colleges and universities.

Management Team

Frostee Delights will be owned and operated by Janice Maynor. She recruited her former assistant manager, Donna LaCree, to be her shop operations manager and she recruited Tomas Lawinson to be her human resources manager.

Janice Maynor is a graduate of the University of Tennessee where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in business administration. She began working part-time in an ice cream shop while in university and began managing a large nationally-owned ice cream shop upon graduation. She has been a manager for over ten years.

Donna LaCree is a graduate of Pine Community College, where she earned her Associate of Arts degree in business administration. She has worked with Janice Maynor as an assistant for over six years and will take on the role of operations manager in the startup company.

Tomas Lawinson has been a human resources manager for five years, working within a retail chain of stores to oversee employee hiring, human resource practices and procedures, and assist in management. He will become the human resources manager for the startup company.

Success Factors

Frostee Delights Shop will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

  • Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly-qualified team at the Frostee Delights Shop
  • Comprehensive menu of ice cream and frozen treats with many specialty desserts to suit every consumer.
  • Special discounts for large group orders.
  • “Speedy 15-minute Express” for pick-up.
  • Free delivery for orders over $100.
  • Frostee Delights Shop offers the best pricing in town. Their pricing structure is the most cost effective compared to the competition.

Financial Highlights

Frostee Delights Shop is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its ice cream shop. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the shop space and purchasing equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and marketing costs. The breakout of the funding is below:

  • Shop space build-out: $20,000
  • Equipment, supplies, and materials: $10,000
  • Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
  • Marketing costs: $10,000
  • Working capital: $10,000

The following graph outlines the financial projections for the Frostee Delights Shop.

Frostee Delights Shop Pro Forma Projections

Shop Overview

Who is frostee delights shop.

Frostee Delights Shop is a newly established, full-service ice cream shop in Nashville, Tennessee. Frostee Delights Shop will be the most reliable, cost-effective, and delicious choice for everyone in Nashville and the surrounding communities. Frostee Delights Shop will provide a comprehensive menu of ice cream and frozen dessert products for all individuals, families and parties to utilize. Their full-service approach includes a comprehensive menu of ice cream flavors, specialty frozen desserts and ice cream cakes.

  Frostee Ice Cream Shop will offer a wide, delicious array of excellent ice cream treats, prepared with quality ingredients and expert precision. The team of “ice cream professionals” at the ice cream shop are highly-qualified and experienced in ice cream making and frozen dessert preparation. Frostee Delights Shop removes all headaches and issues of the hunt for excellent ice cream and frozen desserts and ensures all customer needs and desires for ice cream are deliciously met while delivering the best customer service.

Frostee Delights Shop History

The Frostee Delights Shop is owned and operated by Janice Maynor. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in business administration. She began working part-time in an ice cream shop while in university and began managing a large, nationally-owned ice cream shop upon graduation. She has been a manager in the shop for over ten years. Customers have appreciated the care and attention Janice consistently offers and have determined to follow her to the new ice cream shop.

Since incorporation, Frostee Delights Shop has achieved the following milestones:

  • Registered Frostee Delights Shop, LLC to transact business in the state of Tennessee.
  • Has a contract in place for a 10,000 square foot shop at one of the midtown buildings
  • Reached out to numerous contacts to include Frostee Delights Shop in their online conversations.
  • Began recruiting a staff of two and two office personnel to work at Frostee Delights Shop.

Frostee Delights Shop Services

The following will be the services Frostee Delights Shop will provide:

  • Nonfat and lowfat frozen desserts

Industry Analysis

The ice cream shop industry is expected to grow over the next five years to over $90,160 million. The growth will be driven by the increased interest of consumers and the wide variety of flavors and frozen desserts available. Global experimentation with flavors, cones and toppings has increased consumer interest and created repeat consumer business across the spectrum of cities and towns globally.

Costs will likely be reduced as technology and software are introduced to both speed the process of ice cream and frozen dessert preparation, as well as methods to enrich and improve the flavors and consumer offers that ice cream desserts can provide for consumers. In addition, software will be further utilized to process day-to-day operations more quickly and with greater efficiency, thereby reducing costs overall.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Frostee Delights Shop will target all individuals within the greater Nashville area. They will target families, birthday party groups, and wedding parties. They will also target citywide businesses and government entities that occasionally host large groups. They will target schools with K-12 students, as well as city colleges and universities.

Customer Segmentation

Frostee Delights Shop will primarily target the following customer profiles:

  • Individuals seeking upmarket ice cream flavors and frozen desserts
  • Individuals seeking specialty ice creams, such as gluten-free and sugar-free options
  • Families and those celebrating special events
  • Businesses, government entities and corporations
  • Area colleges and universities

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Frostee Delights Shop will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor Shop is below.

Jack’s Ice Cream Shack

In 2000, Jack Howell began his ice cream business by renting a portable trailer that hitched to the back of his personal truck. Inside the trailer, he outfitted ice cream machines with various flavors and he arranged ice cream toppings to suit all tastes. Jack opened his mobile ice cream shack on the University of Tennessee campus and began a successful shack business. He now has seven mobile ice cream “shacks,” which are transported to sporting events, city gatherings, nearby tourist attractions and large parties.

Offering only three basic ice cream flavors; vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, Jack Howell depends on a wide variety of toppings to bring unique experiences to his customers. Cut fresh fruit, chocolate chips, gummy worms, and other fun toppings round out the ice cream flavors and bring repeat customers back to Jack’s shacks. The company recently franchised the model and concept nationally to a wide and receptive number of potential franchisees.

Sweet Libations!

Sweet Libations! is owned and operated by Noel Harding, who began the company in 2020 to serve customers who prefer ice cream and frozen yogurt in beverages of all kinds. The company has seen modest success to date by serving such favorites as Cold Press Ice Cream Coffee and Pineapple Frozen Fruit Punch. Sweet Libations! Is located in a mid-city retail area, where shoppers congregate and walk on a regular basis. Noel Harding managed a retail ice cream shop within the downtown Nashville area for over fifteen years before he opened this specialty beverage company. Customers primarily come from the surrounding retail and commercial companies in the city area.

The Hot & Spicy Delicacy Shop

The Hot & Spicy Delicacy Shop caters to consumers who love to experiment with distinctive flavors within gourmet foods. Although not a direct competitor, the shop pulls consumers from the mid-city area by offering quirky desserts and beverages that are not found in any other locations. For example, consumers can order a tasting menu of “Everything Chilies,” which contains glasses of chili pepper ice cream, chili pepper pie and chili pepper pressed juice. This quirky concept is appealing to tourists and others who enjoy distinctive flavors, but not all consumers will choose the experience. Many ice cream choices can be found nowhere else, which appeals to the discriminating consumer looking for an unusual experience. Tami Ray and Tommy Sanger have owned and operated this shop for almost twenty years.

Competitive Advantage

Frostee Delights Shop will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Frostee Delights Shop will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

  • Highly-qualified team of skilled employees provides a customized ice cream or frozen treat cone for each individual
  • Unbeatable pricing for clients; they will offer the lowest pricing in the city.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Frostee Delights Shop is as follows:

Word of Mouth/Referrals

Frostee Delights Shop has built up an extensive list of contacts over the years by providing exceptional service and expertise to former customers. The contacts and clients will follow the new startup by visiting, posting the visits online and talking about the shop to help spread the word of Frostee Delights Shop.

Professional Associations and Networking

Trade associations and networking in local and regional groups will be an immediate plan within the Frostee Delights team. Offers to get involved with charitable efforts or citywide events will be made, as each event and group may be potential customers and future business. Special discounts will be offered during the first 90 days of business.

Print Advertising

Two weeks before launch, all residents of Nashville will receive a special invitation to the launch of the Frostee Delights Shop, along with a gift card good for a free cone. In addition, the shop employees will visit companies and area businesses with free ice cream cones for employees to encourage new customers and business in the months ahead.

Website/SEO Marketing

Frostee Delights Shop will fully utilize their website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the products that Frostee Delights Shop provides. Daily specials will be included. The website will also list their contact information and list their availability for large-order deliveries. The website will engage in SEO marketing tactics so that anytime someone types in the Google or Bing search engine “Ice Cream Shop ” or “Ice Cream near me,” the Frostee Delights Shop will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of the Frostee Delights Shop will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive excellent value when purchasing their services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Frostee Delights Shop. Operation Functions:

  • Janice Maynor will be the owner and President of the Shop. She will oversee all staff and manage client relations. She has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
  • Debbie Perkins, as the Shop Assistant will manage the ordering, stocking and inventory of products and supplies for the shop.
  • Beth Saylar, the new marketing manager, will provide all marketing for the Frostee Delights Shop, including digital and hard copy promotions.

Milestones:

Frostee Delights Shop will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

  • 5/1/202X – Finalize contract to lease shop space
  • 5/15/202X – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the Frostee Delights Shop
  • 6/1/202X – Finalize plans for Frostee Delights Shop customers
  • 6/15/202X – Begin networking at industry events
  • 6/22/202X – Begin moving into Frostee Delights Shop
  • 7/1/202X – Frostee Delights Shop opens its doors for business

Frostee Delights will be owned and operated by Janice Maynor. Janice Maynor is a graduate of the University of Tennessee where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in business administration. She began working part-time in an ice cream shop while in university and began managing a large nationally-owned ice cream shop upon graduation. She has been a manager for over ten years.

Donna LaCree is a graduate of Pine Community College, where she earned her Associate of Arts degree in business administration. She has worked with Janice Maynor as an assistant in the ice cream shop for over six years and will take on the role of operations manager in the startup company.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Frostee Delights Shop are the fees they will charge to XXX for their services.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff Frostee Delights Shop. The expenses will be the payroll cost, rent, utilities, office supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Frostee Delights Shop is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its XX. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and association memberships. The breakout of the funding is below:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

  • Number of Customers Per Month: 575
  • Average Revenue per Month: $29,250
  • Office Lease per Year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, ice cream shop business plan faqs, what is an ice cream shop business plan.

An ice cream shop business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your ice cream shop business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections. You can easily complete your Ice Cream Shop business plan using our Ice Cream Shop Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Ice Cream Shop Businesses?

There are a number of different kinds of ice cream shop businesses, some examples include: Self serve ice cream shop, ice cream truck, and gourmet ice cream shop.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Ice Cream Shop Business Plan?

Ice Cream Shop businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start an Ice Cream Shop Business?

Starting an ice cream shop business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster. 1. Develop An Ice Cream Shop Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed ice cream shop business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your ice cream shop business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your ice cream shop business is in compliance with local laws. 3. Register Your Ice Cream Shop Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your ice cream shop business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your ice cream shop business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 7. Acquire Necessary Ice Cream Shop Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your ice cream shop business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your ice cream shop business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

Learn more about how to start a successful ice cream shop business:

  • How to Start an Ice Cream Shop

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Ice Cream Shop Business Plan Template

  • Written by Dave Lavinsky

Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

Table of Contents

Ice cream shop business plan.

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their ice cream shop businesses. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through an ice cream shop business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is an Ice Cream Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your ice cream shop business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

If you’re looking to start an ice cream shop business, or grow your existing ice cream shop business, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your ice cream shop business in order to improve your chances of success. Your ice cream shop business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Funding Sources for Ice Cream Shop Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for an ice cream shop business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business.

The second most common form of funding for an ice cream shop business is angel investors. Angel investors are wealthy individuals who will write you a check. They will either take equity in return for their funding, or, like a bank, they will give you a loan.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

If you want to start an ice cream shop business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. Below are links to each section of your ice cream shop business plan template:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of ice cream shop business you are operating and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have an ice cream shop business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of ice cream shop businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the ice cream shop industry. Discuss the type of ice cream shop business you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of ice cream shop business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of ice cream shop businesses:

  • Self serve ice cream shop : this type of ice cream shop business allows customers to fill their own containers with desired ice cream flavors and toppings.
  • Ice cream truck: ice cream trucks are a convenient way to reach more customers in different areas.
  • Gourmet ice cream shop: this type of ice cream shop caters to customers seeking gourmet flavors and a high-quality experience.

In addition to explaining the type of ice cream shop business you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

  • When and why did you start the business?
  • What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, number of positive reviews, amount of monthly revenue etc.
  • Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the ice cream shop.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the ice cream shop industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating. 

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your ice cream shop business plan:

  • How big is the ice cream shop industry (in dollars)?
  • Is the market declining or increasing?
  • Who are the key competitors in the market?
  • Who are the key suppliers in the market?
  • What trends are affecting the industry?
  • What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
  • What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your ice cream shop business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your ice cream shop business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: children, parents, teenagers, and restaurateurs.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of ice cream shop you operate. Clearly, parents would want different service options and would respond to different marketing promotions than teenagers, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most ice cream shops primarily serve customers living in their same city or town, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other ice cream shops. 

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes grocery shops, convenience stores, and ice cream vending machines or kiosks. You need to mention such competition to show you understand that not everyone who wants ice cream will go to an ice cream shop.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other ice cream shop businesses with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be ice cream shops located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

  • What types of customers do they serve?
  • What types of flavors do they offer?
  • What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
  • What are they good at?
  • What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

  • Will you provide more ice cream flavors?
  • Will you provide services that your competitors don’t offer?
  • Will you provide better customer service?
  • Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a ice cream shop business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of ice cream shop that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to ice cream, will you provide comfortable seating, table service, or on-site entertainment?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your ice cream shop. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your ice cream shop located in a busy retail district, shopping plaza, mall, etc. Discuss how your location might provide a steady stream of customers. 

Promotions : The final part of your ice cream shop marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

  • Advertising in local papers and magazines
  • Reaching out to local websites 
  • Social media marketing
  • Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your ice cream shop, including making ice cream, serving customers, and maintaining equipment.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to serve your 1000th customer, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to open a new ice cream shop location or launch an ice cream shop franchise.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your ice cream shop business’ ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company. 

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing ice cream shop businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing ice cream shops or successfully running small businesses.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you serve 500 customers per month or 1,000? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your ice cream shop, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt. For example, let’s say a local restaurant owner approached you with a $25,000 contract to provide ice cream for their restaurant. Let’s further assume the contract would cost you $25,000 to fulfill in terms of increased staffing costs and supplies. Well, in most cases, you would have to pay that $25,000 now for employee salaries, equipment, etc. But let’s say the company didn’t pay you for 180 days. During that 180-day period, you could run out of money.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a ice cream shop business:

  • Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
  • Cost of equipment like dipping cabinets, walk-in refrigerators, and blenders
  • Payroll or salaries paid to staff
  • Business insurance
  • Taxes and permits
  • Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your location lease or a blueprint of your shop.   Summary Putting together a business plan for your ice cream shop is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the ice cream shop industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful ice cream shop.

Ice Cream Shop Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my ice cream shop business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your Ice Cream Shop Business Plan.

Where Can I Download an Ice Cream Business Plan PDF?

You can download our ice cream business plan PDF here.

What is the Goal of a Business Plan's Executive Summary?

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of ice cream shop you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have an ice cream shop that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of ice cream shops?

  OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.

Click here to see how Growthink’s professional business plan consulting services can create your business plan for you.  

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Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

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Ever dreamed of owning an ice cream shop?

If yes, you’ve stumbled upon the coolest business idea. It’s time to elevate your entrepreneurial journey from sugary dreams to scoopable reality!

But before you start, there’s an important step to sweet success: drafting your business plan. Also, it requires careful planning, a keen idea about your market size, and sprinkles of creativity.

Not to worry; we’re here to help you with our ice cream shop business plan ! It is a strategic roadmap guiding you toward the vibrant, bustling ice cream parlor that you’ve always imagined.

In this guide, you can explore the essential elements you need to know for a well-crafted business plan that’s bringing your very own ice cream shop to life.

So, lace up your apron, and let’s delve into the art of crafting your ice cream shop business plan.

Key Takeaways

  • Create an interesting executive summary that highlights your goals, marketing plan, and team expertise to draw potential investors.
  • Conduct thorough market research and competitive analysis to better understand industry trends and customer needs.
  • Mention your ice cream shop business descriptions to advertise your business and reach a wider audience.
  • Build a strong online presence and an effective marketing plan to attract more customers.
  • Keep a realistic and strategic financial plan to assess startup costs and secure funding resources for an ice cream business.
  • Develop a delightful sample menu that represents unique ice cream offerings and encourages customers to explore different flavors.
  • Use SWOT analysis tools to evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for informed decision-making.

Ice Cream Industry Outlook

Before diving right into the guide to ice cream business plan, let’s go through some ice cream industry statistics and trends:

  • The ice cream market revenue amounts to $19.13 billion in 2023, and the market is projected to rise annually by 3.64% (CAGR 2023-2028).
  • The U.S. ice cream makers churned out 1.38 billion gallons of ice cream in 2022. The average American consumes roughly 20 pounds of ice cream or about 4 gallons, each year.
  • For the ice cream market, volume is estimated to be 4.16 billion kg by 2028. It is expected to show a volume growth of 1.1% in 2024.
  • The North American ice cream market size is projected at $22.63 billion in 2023; and is estimated to reach $26.52 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 2.68% during the forecast period (2023-2029).
  • The global ice cream market will reach $104.96 billion in 2029, up from $71.52 billion in 2021 due to the increasing cravings for ice cream.
  • Chocolate, Cookies & cream, Vanilla, Strawberry, Buttered Pecan, and Chocolate Chip are the top ice cream flavors in the U.S.
  • Non-dairy ice creams, plant-based ingredients, and low-calorie or no-sugar ice creams have gained popularity among health-conscious consumers compared to regular ice creams.

Key Components of an Ice Cream Business Plan

  • Executive Summary
  • Business Overview
  • Market and Competitor Analysis
  • Ice cream Menu
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Management Team
  • Operational Plan
  • Financial Plan

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is a quick overview of your entire business plan. It should be clear, concise, and compelling as it attracts investors to delve further into your plan.

Start your summary with a brief description of your ice cream shop concept including the name, location, and type of ice cream shop you are running.

After that, try to outline a few important topics, from objectives and core values to a coherent vision for your brand, that will be explored in greater detail within the plan.

Clearly state your business’s unique selling proposition(USP), market opportunity, and target customers. Don’t forget to mention all the key members and financial projections of your ice cream parlor.

You can also add a 3-year profit forecast to emphasize the potential for profitability.

Lastly, conclude this section with an effective call to action for inviting potential investors or readers if they are curious about your ice cream shop.

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ice cream business plan executive summary

2. Business Overview

The business overview section compliments the executive summary and provides a quick look at your ice cream shop. Draft specific details about your business here.

First, introduce the ice cream shop’s business model, including ownership, legal structure(S-Corp, LLC or a sole proprietorship), and shop location.

Also, mention what type of business you are operating; for instance, it will be one of the below types of ice cream shop businesses:

  • Self-service ice cream shop: Allows customers to fill their own containers with desired ice cream flavors and toppings.
  • Ice cream truck: An easy way to reach more customers in different areas.
  • Gourmet ice cream shop: Caters to customers seeking premium frozen desserts and high-quality experience.
  • Franchise ice cream shop: Operates under the esteemed brand and follows the meticulous operational standards set by the franchisor.

Don’t forget to add a mission statement in this section, as it is a brief of your ice cream shop’s guiding principles. Here is an example of the mission statement for an ice cream store using Upmetrics:

mission statement for an ice cream store

Next, discuss a little bit more about your business background and how your ice cream shop works. Try to give answers for when you start your business and what are the long-term goals of your brand.

In addition, highlight any milestones you have accomplished, such as the number of customers served, positive reviews, new ice cream parlor openings, etc.

3. Market and Competitor Analysis

Launching an ice cream shop business demands a strategic roadmap and an ice cream shop industry analysis. So, take some time to go further and perform careful market research in your area.

Start this section by presenting a quick summary of the ice cream shop industry and define the local market size (in dollars), historical background, and growth potential.

With proper market research and industry analysis, you can assess that the market for ice cream shops is bustling with competition, going from self-serve frozen yogurt zones to dreamy ice cream parlors.

So, identify your target market demographics, including age, gender, income level, and preferences. Want help creating a buyer persona for your ice cream shop business?

Employ Upmetrics’ AI-powered Assistance now and write brief sections of your business plans. Follow the given prompt or revise it to make a bunch of buyer persona profiles for your target customers:

Explore the current landscape and assess key players to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Perform a thorough ice cream industry analysis to recognize direct and indirect competitors.

Direct competitors can be other ice cream shops, while frozen yogurt shops or dessert cafes can be indirect competitors.

Monitor their product offerings, pricing plan, and customer engagement approach. So, you need a strong, memorable, and coherent ice cream brand that addresses gaps in the market.

Conduct a SWOT analysis to find internal strengths & weaknesses of your ice cream shop and external opportunities & threats in the ice cream market. Based on that, outline unique selling points and competitive edge.

SWOT analysis for an ice cream shop business

Not only that, you can also explain local government regulatory rules and emerging market trends that might impact the ice cream shop industry.

4. Ice cream Menu

Designing a sample ice cream menu is the most important asset for writing an ice cream shop business plan. It is a productive step in presenting your business plan to potential clients and investors.

Summarize the uniqueness of your offerings that set your brand apart from other ice cream shops. Start by listing all the flavors of ice creams, toppings, and specialty items your shop will offer. That might be:

  • Classic flavors(Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Cookies and Cream, Butter Pecan, etc.)
  • Signature flavors (Hazelnut Delight, Caramel Sensation, Cheesecake Bliss, Espresso Crunch, etc.)
  • Seasonal Specials(Pumpkin Spice Delight, Apple Cinnamon Harvest, Lemonade Fizz Fling, etc.)
  • Creative Cones(Bubblegum Burst Cone, Cinnamon Sugar Twist Cone)
  • Ice cream floats
  • frozen yogurt selections
  • Customizable ice cream flights
  • Ice cream cakes
  • Sorbet and Sherbet options

Showcase that your ice cream products cater to a diverse customer base and ensure that there’s something for everyone. Clearly emphasize innovative flavors and unique combinations to grab customer attention.

Add creative names and descriptions to enhance the overall appeal of your menu. Use vibrant language to portray delightful flavors, the aroma of freshly made waffle cones, and any special features.

Implement a transparent and strategic pricing structure for delightful explorations that reflect the quality and craftsmanship behind each product.

Check the below example from Upmetrics to draft your ice cream shop product offerings:

ice cream shop product offerings

You might enclose details about whether you will sell ice cream cakes from a local vendor or make your own, and what kind of ingredients, dairy products, flavorings, and serving methods you will feature.

If applicable, consider including any interactive elements into the menu, such as QR codes for online videos revealing the making process of irresistible offerings or customer testimonials.

5. Marketing Strategy

Demonstrate a comprehensive marketing plan to attract a diverse customer base. Develop a multifaceted approach for brand promotion and customer engagement.

Think about the key elements mentioned below to add in your sales and marketing plan:

Establish a unique personality of an ice cream store via a professional website and brand logo. Highlight your shop atmosphere, ice cream offerings, artisanal flavors,  customer reviews, and locally sourced ingredients.

Social Media platforms

Use the power of social media(Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) to present your ice cream creations. Regularly publish visually appealing content, such as high-quality images, catchy captions, and promotional activities to maximize reach.

Offline Advertising

Effectively reach your target audience using offline channels. Use traditional advertising methods like brochures, newspapers, and social gatherings. Also, get in touch with the local community through outreach initiatives.

Events and influencer collaborations

Participate in local events or carnivals to raise brand visibility. Collaborate with influencers who align with your brand value and attract their followers to your ice cream shop.

Promotions and loyalty programs

Involve special discounts, buy one get one free offer or seasonal promotions to draw new customers and retain existing ones. Also, introduce loyalty programs to offer rewards for frequent patrons.

Take a reference from the below example written using our AI assistant, describing marketing strategy for ice cream shops:

Pence’s Frozen Custard will use multiple methods to approach its target markets. Since our most difficult task will be attracting customers for that first tasting, we have a two-tiered approach. First, a mass mailing campaign will create customer awareness and generate trials. This will include coupons and our “Grand Opening” offer: with a coupon, your first dessert at Pence’s in April or May is free. The initial cost of this offer will be more than offset by repeat sales later. After this initial campaign, our marketing strategy will focus on our two target markets separately.

For 18-24-year-olds, Pence’s will distribute flyers on campus and at the bus station. We will also seek permission to place fliers on the doors of apartment rentals and apartment complexes. To further reach the “Town and Gown” niche of this market, we will purchase radio ads on specific radio stations that feature R&B music.

To reach the “first families” more effectively, we plan to sponsor events and help out with local elementary schools and after-school activities. Such plans include: sponsoring a little league team; offering a tour of the shop to elementary school students; and giving coupons and promotional information to the children to bring their families in.

All of these marketing campaigns will be supplemented by ongoing “brand awareness” campaigns, with advertisements in the local paper, interviews with the college newspaper (as the owner is a graduate), and fliers posted at popular local events. We will highlight our community service involvement as part of our “good neighbor” approach to doing business in this area.

6. Management Team

Allowing your readers or investors to know about your management team will help them have a clear idea of who is operating your ice cream shop.

So, mention the ice cream shop’s general manager, marketing team, or some combination of ice cream confectioner and financier in this section. Here is an illustration of a strong management team with the help of Upmetrics:

Management team example of ice cream shop business

Highlight each individual’s specific roles and responsibilities, including their skills and prior experience relevant to ice cream businesses. If so, mention those experiences in your business plan to show their ability.

Doing so is very important to prevent any misunderstandings once the business is up and running.

Next, describe the compensation plan or salary structure in this section. This can help key stakeholders to ascertain how much percentage of the revenues is allocated to salaries. Refer to below as an example:

ice cream shop business salary structure

Not only that, you can also state advisory board members by including 2 -3 individuals who act like mentors to your business. They would direct you with strategic guidance and add credibility to your business idea.

7. Operational Plan

As specific information on day-to-day operations is a map for achieving business objectives and customer satisfaction, it’s time to emphasize a precise operational plan for an ice cream shop business.

Begin with a quick intro that summarizes the pivotal role of everyday operations and the supply chain for the frozen treats on your menu. Then, give a detailed overview of daily activities that navigate your business.

Specify the staffing requirements for your shop, defining the number of front-of-house and back-of-house associates. From scoopers to kitchen staff and cashiers, mention their roles and responsibilities.

Consider some factors like peak hours and seasonal variations to determine staffing levels. Here is an example from Upmetrics depicting the personnel plan for ice cream shops:

Personnel plan for ice cream shops

Facility Management

To ensure a smooth operation, discuss the daily facility management tasks such as opening and closing routines, maintaining schedules for equipment & fixtures, and making ice cream and serving customers.

Technology/software

Leverage technology/software for daily operations, including point-of-sale systems for order processing, inventory management for ingredient level tracking, and CRM tools for personalized communication or feedback.

Customer experience

Take specific steps to ensure a fun and safe customer experience. Involve staff training for a welcoming environment and cleaning protocols for food safety measures and contribute to a favorable customer experience.

8. Financial Plan

For a successful ice cream shop business, you will need a well-structured and in-depth financial plan with a realistic financial projection.

It is the most important section for investors as it offers a clear picture of the ice cream shop’s projected profitability, fiscal growth, and cash generation capacity.

While developing a financial plan, you can highlight the income statement, cash flow statement, balance sheet, break-even analysis, and funding needs for 3-5 years.

In this section, you need to make a few assumptions. it will greatly affect the financial forecasts of your business. Refer to Upmetrics’ template to make important assumptions for your ice cream shop business:

important assumptions for your ice cream shop business

Define all the necessary components explained below in your business plan:

Income statement

An income statement is generally known as a profit and loss statement, or P&L, showing the net profit of your ice cream shop business by deducting expenses from total earnings.

Here is an example of a projected profit & loss statement for an ice cream shop business using Upmetrics:

ice cream shop business profit loss statement

Cash flow statement

This statement enables you to notice how much money you need to start or grow your ice cream shop business and ensure that you never run out of money.

Sometimes, you get profits but still face financial issues that could lead to bankruptcy. Thus, you will require suitable cash flow planning to avoid such cases.

Also, don’t forget to maintain this statement even for certain months before earning profits.

Balance sheet

The balance sheet indicates your ice cream shop business’s net worth at a specific point in time. It classifies all your ice cream shop’s financial data into three parts: assets, liabilities, and equity.

Typically, a balance sheet is prepared once a year. For your ice cream shop business plan, create a projected balance sheet that emphasizes the income statement and cash flow projections.

projected balance sheet for an ice cream shop

All the above financial factors can help you specify the break-even point and funding needs. Evaluate the funding resources, including bank loans, SBA-guaranteed loans, angel investors, and personal savings.

However, calculating all the financial statements from scratch can be challenging. But not to worry; here is a simple solution.

Use our robust financial forecasting tool to develop all financial aspects for launching your own ice cream shop business.

Get Your Free Ice Cream Parlor Business Plan Template

Are you ready to start writing an ice cream shop business plan? And want to get help with your business plan? Well, here you go. Download our free ice cream parlor business plan pdf now.

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Frequently asked questions, what are the key components of an ice cream shop business plan.

Writing a professional business plan for an ice cream shop involves the following key components:

  • Executive summary
  • Company overview
  • Market and industry analysis
  • Competitor and customer analysis
  • Sample menu for ice creams
  • Sales and marketing plan
  • Management team
  • Operational plan
  • Financial projections

Where can I find an ice cream shop business plan template?

There are various online platforms where you can find an ice cream shop business plan template. Consider reputable sources like Upmetrics, which offers 400+ customizable business plan templates for your specific needs.

How long should an ice cream shop business plan be?

Typically, the length of an ideal ice cream shop business plan is around 15-35 pages. It should be clear and concise yet comprehensive, covering all the essential elements of your business. The business plan length can vary based on the audience.

What should I do with my finished ice cream shop business plan?

Once your ice cream shop business plan is finished, use it as a live document. Send it to the potential investors and show your marketing & operational decisions. Regularly revisit and update it as your business grows.

What are some common mistakes made when writing an ice cream shop business plan?

Avoid below 7 common mistakes while writing an ice cream shop business plan:

  • Lack of thorough ice cream shop industry and market research
  • Overlooking financial projections
  • Poor competition analysis
  • Neglecting the importance of location
  • Lack of differentiation in product offerings and menu
  • Ignoring effective marketing strategies
  • Avoid prioritizing customer satisfaction

About the Author

ice cream business plan executive summary

Vinay Kevadiya

Vinay Kevadiya is the founder and CEO of Upmetrics, the #1 business planning software. His ultimate goal with Upmetrics is to revolutionize how entrepreneurs create, manage, and execute their business plans. He enjoys sharing his insights on business planning and other relevant topics through his articles and blog posts. Read more

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How to write a business plan for your ice cream shop.

business plan for an ice cream shop

Starting an ice cream shop is a great idea because it offers a high potential for profitability and it is a product that is in demand year-round.

Additionally, it is relatively low-cost to start and maintain.

But, before launching anything, make sure you have a business plan in place.

A business plan is an essential tool for any new venture, as it helps to define the goals and objectives of the project as well as identify potential risks and solutions. Writing a business plan before starting a new project will help ensure that all aspects of the project are properly thought through and planned for.

In short, a thorough business plan will help make sure your ice cream shop is profitable .

What are the essential parts of a business plan for an ice cream shop? What components should be part of the structure? Which financial figures should be part of the analysis? What's the most efficient way to write a business plan?

This article will provide answers to all these questions!

One last thing, you don't have to start your business plan from scratch.

You can download our business plan for an ice cream shop and adapt it to your project.

business plan ice cream man

Designing a business plan for an ice cream shop

Is it worth considering a business plan for your ice cream shop.

Yes, you should consider making a business plan for your ice cream shop.

Formulating a comprehensive business plan will allow to:

  • learn about the ice cream shop market
  • understand the industry's cutting-edge developments
  • identify what makes an ice cream shop viable
  • understand the popular ice cream flavors, toppings, and serving preferences of customers
  • come up with a great value proposition for your frozen dessert parlor
  • review competitor customer satisfaction
  • find competitive advantages for your ice cream shop
  • find a business model that maximizes revenue and minimizes costs
  • design and implement a comprehensive and strategic action plan for continuous growth
  • identify and manage risks specific to an ice cream shop, including food safety, ingredient sourcing, and customer preferences

Our team has created a business plan for an ice cream shop that is designed to make it easier for you to achieve all the elements listed.

How to organize a business plan for an ice cream shop?

Your business plan incorporates various metrics and valuable data. It must be arranged in a manner that is easy to read and understand.

When we designed our business plan for an ice cream shop , we took care to arrange it appropriately.

These are the 5 sections (Opportunity, Project, Market Research, Strategy and Finances).

1. Market Opportunity

The section number one is called "Market Opportunity".

This section presents a comprehensive report on the ice cream shop, including key data and metrics to guide your decision-making process in the frozen dessert industry.

We constantly update all the data there.

2. Project Presentation

In the "Project" section, you can outline your ice cream shop, describing the range of ice cream flavors and treats you offer, unique creations, locally sourced ingredients, kid-friendly ambiance, and the unique value proposition that brings joy and indulgence to customers through delightful ice cream experiences.

Also include a short description about yourself at the end of this section.

Explain your passion for creating delightful frozen treats, your knowledge of different ice cream flavors and recipes, and how you plan to create a joyful and indulgent ice cream shop experience for customers. Highlight your commitment to using quality ingredients, your ability to offer a wide variety of flavors and toppings, and your dedication to providing exceptional customer service that leaves customers craving your irresistible ice cream creations.

We've already prepared some wording in our business plan. Modify it as necessary to fit your concept.

3. Market Research

Then, there is the "Market Research" section.

This section describes the target audience for your ice cream shop.

It includes a comprehensive analysis of competitors in the ice cream industry and emphasizes your shop's unique ice cream flavors and competitive advantages.

A tailored SWOT analysis is provided as well.

4. Strategy

The "Strategy" section presents a comprehensive 3-year action plan, outlining the initiatives and actions required to make your ice cream shop a highly profitable venture.

Furthermore, there is a marketing strategy for an ice cream shop, a way to manage risks, and a completed Business Model Canvas included in this section.

5. Finances

Ultimately, the "Finances" section serves as a platform to present the financial aspects and projections of your project.

business plan ice cream shop

How to write the Executive Summary for an ice cream shop?

The Executive Summary is like a quick overview of the business plan of your ice cream shop.

Don't exceed 2 pages; stick to the most essential information.

This document aims to capture the reader's attention and make them interested in your business plan.

In the Executive Summary of your ice cream shop, answer these questions: what flavors and products does your ice cream shop offer? who is your target audience? what other ice cream shops are in the area? how do you differentiate yourself from them? how much funding do you need?

How to do the market analysis for an ice cream shop?

Analyzing the market for your ice cream shop allows you to gain insights into factors such as customer preferences for frozen treats, competition from other ice cream shops, and emerging trends in the dessert industry.

By conducting a thorough market study, an ice cream shop can understand consumer tastes, offer a variety of delicious flavors, optimize pricing strategies, and execute targeted marketing campaigns, ultimately leading to a loyal customer following, increased sales, and a prominent presence in the local ice cream industry.

Here's what we've included in the "Market Research" section of our business plan for an ice cream shop :

  • market trends and data about ice cream shops, including ice cream flavor popularity, seasonal variations, and the growth of artisanal ice cream
  • a list of potential customer segments for an ice cream shop
  • the competitive research
  • the competitive advantages to build for an ice cream shop

business plan ice cream shop

The key points of the business plan for an ice cream shop

What's the business model of an ice cream shop, business model of an ice cream shop.

An ice cream shop's model centers around producing and selling ice cream and related frozen desserts. Revenue is generated through product sales, including scoops, cones, tubs, and potentially offering specialty sundaes, milkshakes, or catering services.

The business model focuses on offering a variety of flavors, using quality ingredients, creating a visually appealing and welcoming shop ambiance, effective branding and marketing, and building a loyal customer base through exceptional taste and customer service.

Success depends on flavor innovation, attractive presentation, strategic location, effective marketing to target customers, and providing a delightful and memorable ice cream experience for customers.

Business model ≠ Business plan

It's important not to mistake "business plan" for "business model."

A business model is like a structure that explains how a company makes money and provides value.

In a business plan, you utilize the Business Model Canvas as a simplified approach to explain the core components of your business model.

Rest assured, there is a Business Model Canvas (already completed) in our business plan for an ice cream shop .

How do you identify the market segments of an ice cream shop?

Market segmentation for your ice cream shop involves dividing your potential customers into different groups based on their ice cream preferences, flavors, and demographics.

These categories may include factors such as traditional flavors, unique and artisanal flavors, vegan options, or customers seeking specific ice cream experiences or dietary options.

By segmenting your market, you can offer specialized ice cream flavors and options that cater to each segment's specific requirements. For example, you might focus on traditional flavors and provide classic ice cream choices such as chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry, offer unique and artisanal flavors that are crafted in-house with innovative combinations and ingredients, specialize in vegan options and provide dairy-free and plant-based ice creams, or focus on specific ice cream experiences or dietary options such as sundaes, milkshakes, or gluten-free options to accommodate customers with specific preferences or dietary restrictions.

Market segmentation allows you to effectively target your marketing efforts, communicate the deliciousness and quality of your ice cream offerings, and provide a delightful and indulgent ice cream experience that meets the unique needs and preferences of each customer segment.

In the business plan for an ice cream shop , you will get a detailed market segmentation, helping you understand your target audiences and their needs.

How to conduct a competitor analysis for an ice cream shop?

Without surprise, you won't be the only ice cream shop in your area. There will be other establishments offering delicious and unique ice cream flavors to customers.

Include a comprehensive assessment of your competitors' characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses in your business plan.

Take note of their weaknesses (such as limited flavor variety, inconsistent ice cream quality, or poor customer service).

Why is it important to address these concerns? Because these weaknesses can impact the customer experience at ice cream shops.

By focusing on these areas, you can offer a variety of delicious and high-quality ice cream flavors, provide a welcoming and cheerful ice cream shop ambiance, and deliver friendly and attentive customer service, positioning your ice cream shop as a go-to destination for sweet and joyful treats.

It's what we call competitive advantages—invest in them to make your business unique.

Here are some examples of competitive advantages for an ice cream man: delicious and refreshing ice cream treats, mobile and convenient service, joyful customer experiences.

How to draft a SWOT analysis for an ice cream man?

A SWOT analysis can help identify potential opportunities and threats in order to make informed decisions about starting an ice cream shop.

As you can guess, there is indeed a completed and editable SWOT matrix in our business plan for an ice cream shop

The strengths for an ice cream shop

When we mention the "S" in SWOT, we mean Strengths, which are the project's internal advantages or unique selling points.

For an ice cream shop, examples of strengths could include excellent customer service, a wide variety of flavors, a convenient location, and high-quality ingredients.

The weaknesses for an ice cream shop

The letter "W" denotes Weaknesses, which are the areas or aspects of the project that require modification.

For an ice cream shop, potential weaknesses could include lack of capital, limited storage space, seasonality of customers, and lack of online presence.

The opportunities for an ice cream shop

The letter "O" in SWOT signifies Opportunities, highlighting the favorable conditions or chances for the project's progress.

In the case of an ice cream shop, potential opportunities could include catering for special events, offering delivery services, partnering with local businesses, and creating loyalty programs.

The threats for an ice cream shop

T represents Threats in SWOT, referring to the external factors or circumstances that can pose risks or challenges to the project's objectives.

How to create a comprehensive marketing strategy for an ice cream man?

Including a marketing strategy in your business plan is vital for attracting customers and driving business growth.

An ice cream man can attract customers of all ages by implementing a well-executed marketing strategy that showcases the ice cream man's variety of delicious ice cream flavors, friendly service, and presence in popular community events or locations.

Ice cream enthusiasts won't visit your ice cream shop without proper promotion; emphasizing the delicious flavors, high-quality ingredients, and welcoming atmosphere is necessary.

Are you utilizing marketing tactics to promote your ice cream man services? Consider offering fun and engaging ice cream truck experiences, attending community events or parties for ice cream catering opportunities, and utilizing social media platforms to engage with families and share updates about your ice cream offerings.

No need to worry if you don't have any knowledge about marketing and communication.

How to build financial projections for an ice cream man?

A successful business plan requires comprehensive financial data in order to accurately forecast future performance.

When creating your business plan, you must include anticipated revenue figures for your ice cream shop.

It's important to include revenue projections in your business plan that potential investors can trust because they are built on realistic and strong assumptions.

Our financial plan for an ice cream shop is easy to use and includes built-in checks to help you identify and correct any assumptions, ensuring you create reliable projections with confidence.

Without a doubt, you will be required to draft a provisional budget for your ice cream shop. Make sure to include every expense (by the way, they are all listed in the financial plan we've made).

The break-even analysis plays a crucial role in the financial plan, as it helps determine whether your ice cream shop will generate profits or not.

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How to write a business plan for an ice cream manufacturer?

ice cream manufacturer business plan

Creating a business plan for an ice cream manufacturer is an essential process for any entrepreneur. It serves as a roadmap that outlines the necessary steps to be taken to start or grow the business, the resources required, and the anticipated financial outcomes. It should be crafted with method and confidence.

This guide is designed to provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary for creating an ice cream manufacturer business plan, covering why it is so important both when starting up and running an established business, what should be included in your plan, how it should be structured, what tools should be used to save time and avoid errors, and other helpful tips.

We have a lot to cover, so let's get to it!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for an ice cream manufacturer?

  • What information is needed to create a business plan for an ice cream manufacturer?
  • What goes in the financial forecast for an ice cream manufacturer?
  • What goes in the written part of an ice cream manufacturer business plan?
  • What tool can I use to write my ice cream manufacturer business plan?

Understanding the document's scope and goals will help you easily grasp its structure and content. Before diving into the specifics of the plan, let's take a moment to explore the key reasons why having an ice cream manufacturer business plan is so crucial.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

Small businesses rarely experience a constant and predictable environment. Economic cycles go up and down, while the business landscape is mutating constantly with new regulations, technologies, competitors, and consumer behaviours emerging when we least expect it.

In this dynamic context, it's essential to have a clear roadmap for your ice cream manufacturer. Otherwise, you are navigating in the dark which is dangerous given that - as a business owner - your capital is at risk.

That's why crafting a well-thought-out business plan is crucial to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your venture.

To create an effective business plan, you'll need to take a step-by-step approach. First, you'll have to assess your current position (if you're already in business), and then identify where you'd like your ice cream manufacturer to be in the next three to five years.

Once you have a clear destination for your ice cream manufacturer, you'll focus on three key areas:

  • Resources: you'll determine the human, equipment, and capital resources needed to reach your goals successfully.
  • Speed: you'll establish the optimal pace at which your business needs to grow if it is to meet its objectives within the desired timeframe.
  • Risks: you'll identify and address potential risks you might encounter along the way.

By going through this process regularly, you'll be able to make informed decisions about resource allocation, paving the way for the long-term success of your business.

To maintain visibility on future cash flows

Businesses can go for years without making a profit, but they go bust as soon as they run out of cash. That's why "cash is king", and maintaining visibility on your ice cream manufacturer's future cash flows is critical.

How do I do that? That's simple: you need an up-to-date financial forecast.

The good news is that your ice cream manufacturer business plan already contains a financial forecast (more on that later in this guide), so all you have to do is to keep it up-to-date.

To do this, you need to regularly compare the actual financial performance of your business to what was planned in your financial forecast, and adjust the forecast based on the current trajectory of your business.

Monitoring your ice cream manufacturer's financial health will enable you to identify potential financial problems (such as an unexpected cash shortfall) early and to put in place corrective measures. It will also allow you to detect and capitalize on potential growth opportunities (higher demand from a given segment of customers for example).

To secure financing

A detailed business plan becomes a crucial tool when seeking financing from banks or investors for your ice cream manufacturer.

Investing and lending to small businesses are very risky activities given how fragile they are. Therefore, financiers have to take extra precautions before putting their capital at risk.

At a minimum, financiers will want to ensure that you have a clear roadmap and a solid understanding of your future cash flows (like we just explained above). But they will also want to ensure that your business plan fits the risk/reward profile they seek.

This will off-course vary from bank to bank and investor to investor, but as a rule of thumb. Banks will want to see a conservative financial management style (low risk), and they will use the information in your business plan to assess your borrowing capacity — the level of debt they think your business can comfortably handle — and your ability to repay the loan. This evaluation will determine whether they'll provide credit to your ice cream manufacturer and the terms of the agreement.

Whereas investors will carefully analyze your business plan to gauge the potential return on their investment. Their focus lies on evidence indicating your ice cream manufacturer's potential for high growth, profitability, and consistent cash flow generation over time.

Now that you recognize the importance of creating a business plan for your ice cream manufacturer, let's explore what information is required to create a compelling plan.

Information needed to create a business plan for an ice cream manufacturer

You need the right data in order to project sales, investments and costs accurately in the financial forecast of your ice cream manufacturer business plan.

Below, we'll cover three key pieces of information you should gather before drafting your business plan.

Carrying out market research for an ice cream manufacturer

Before you begin writing your business plan for an ice cream manufacturer, conducting market research is a critical step in ensuring precise and realistic financial projections.

Market research grants you valuable insights into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies, and other crucial factors that can impact the success of your business.

In the course of this research, you may stumble upon trends that could impact your ice cream manufacturer.

You might find that consumers may be interested in a lower fat or vegan ice cream option. Additionally, research could indicate that customers may be interested in more unique flavors like lavender or beet.

Such market trends play a pivotal role in revenue forecasting, as they provide essential data regarding potential customers' spending habits and preferences.

By integrating these findings into your financial projections, you can provide investors with more accurate information, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about investing in your ice cream manufacturer.

Developing the marketing plan for an ice cream manufacturer

Before delving into your ice cream manufacturer business plan, it's imperative to budget for sales and marketing expenses.

To achieve this, a comprehensive sales and marketing plan is essential. This plan should provide an accurate projection of the necessary actions to acquire and retain customers.

Additionally, it will outline the required workforce to carry out these initiatives and the corresponding budget for promotions, advertising, and other marketing endeavours.

By budgeting accordingly, you can ensure that the right resources are allocated to these vital activities, aligning them with the sales and growth objectives outlined in your business plan.

The staffing and equipment needs of an ice cream manufacturer

As you embark on starting or expanding your ice cream manufacturer, having a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) is essential for ensuring your business's success.

Both the recruitment and investment plans must align with the timing and level of growth projected in your forecast, and they require appropriate funding.

A ice cream manufacturer might incur staffing costs such as wages for their production staff, as well as costs for recruitment and training. Additionally, they could incur equipment costs such as costs for machinery and other production equipment, as well as costs for materials such as containers and packaging.

To create a realistic financial forecast, you also need to consider other operating expenses associated with the day-to-day running of your business, such as insurance and bookkeeping.

With all the necessary information at hand, you are ready to begin crafting your business plan and developing your financial forecast.

What goes into your ice cream manufacturer's financial forecast?

The financial forecast of your ice cream manufacturer will enable you to assess the profitability potential of your business in the coming years and how much capital is required to fund the actions planned in the business plan.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a ice cream manufacturer are:

  • The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
  • The projected balance sheet ,
  • The cash flow forecast ,
  • And the sources and uses table .

Let's take a closer look at each of these.

The projected P&L statement

The projected P&L statement for an ice cream manufacturer shows how much revenue and profit your business is expected to make in the future.

example of projected profit and loss statement in a ice cream manufacturer business plan

A healthy ice cream manufacturer's P&L statement should show:

  • Sales growing at (minimum) or above (better) inflation
  • Stable (minimum) or expanding (better) profit margins
  • A healthy level of net profitability

This will of course depend on the stage of your business: numbers for a startup will look different than for an established ice cream manufacturer.

The projected balance sheet of your ice cream manufacturer

Your ice cream manufacturer's forecasted balance sheet enables the reader of your plan to assess your financial structure, working capital, and investment policy.

It is composed of three types of elements: assets, liabilities and equity:

  • Assets: represent what the business owns and uses to produce cash flows. It includes resources such as cash, equipment, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
  • Liabilities: represent funds advanced to the business by lenders and other creditors. It includes items such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers), taxes due and loans.
  • Equity: is the combination of what has been invested by the business owners and the cumulative profits and losses generated by the business to date (which are called retained earnings). Equity is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

example of forecasted balance sheet in a ice cream manufacturer business plan

Your ice cream manufacturer's balance sheet will usually be analyzed in conjunction with the other financial statements included in your forecast.

Two key points of focus will be:

  • Your ice cream manufacturer's liquidity: does your business have sufficient cash and short-term assets to pay what it owes over the next 12 months?
  • And its solvency: does your business have the capacity to repay its debt over the medium-term?

The projected cash flow statement

A cash flow forecast for an ice cream manufacturer shows how much cash the business is projected to generate or consume.

example of cash flow forecast in a ice cream manufacturer business plan

The cash flow statement is divided into 3 main areas:

  • The operating cash flow shows how much cash is generated or consumed by the operations (running the business)
  • The investing cash flow shows how much cash is being invested in capital expenditure (equipment, real estate, etc.)
  • The financing cash flow shows how much cash is raised or distributed to investors and lenders

Looking at the cash flow forecast helps you to ensure that your business has enough cash to keep running, and can help you anticipate potential cash shortfalls.

It is also a best practice to include a monthly cash flow statement in the appendices of your ice cream manufacturer business plan so that the readers can view the impact of seasonality on your business cash position and generation.

The initial financing plan

The sources and uses table or initial financing plan is a key component of your business plan when starting an ice cream manufacturer.

It shows where the capital needed to set up the business will come from (sources) and how it will be spent (uses).

sources and uses table in a ice cream manufacturer business plan

This table helps size the investment required to set up the ice cream manufacturer, and understand how risks will be distributed between the business owners, and the financiers.

The sources and uses table also highlights what the starting cash position will be. This is key for startups as the business needs to have sufficient funding to sustain operations until the break-even point is reached.

Now that you have a clear understanding of what will go into the financial forecast of your ice cream manufacturer business plan, let's have a look at the written part of the plan.

The written part of an ice cream manufacturer business plan

The written part of an ice cream manufacturer business plan plays a key role: it lays out the plan of action you intend to execute to seize the commercial opportunity you've identified on the market and provides the context needed for the reader to decide if they believe your plan to be achievable and your financial forecast to be realistic.

The written part of an ice cream manufacturer business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

  • The executive summary
  • The presentation of the company
  • The products and services
  • The market analysis
  • The strategy
  • The operations
  • The financial plan

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

In your ice cream manufacturer's business plan, the first section is the executive summary — a captivating overview of your plan that aims to pique the reader's interest and leave them eager to learn more about your business.

When crafting the executive summary, start with an introduction to your business, including its name, concept, location, how long it has been running, and what sets it apart. Briefly mention the products and services you plan to offer and your target customer profile.

Following that, provide an overview of the addressable market for your ice cream manufacturer, current trends, and potential growth opportunities.

Next, include a summary of key financial figures like projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Finally, in the "ask" section, detail any funding requirements you may have.

2. The presentation of the company

As you build your ice cream manufacturer business plan, the second section deserves attention as it delves into the structure and ownership, location, and management team of your company.

In the structure and ownership part, you'll provide valuable insights into the legal structure of the business, the identities of the owners, and their respective investments and ownership stakes. This level of transparency is vital, particularly if you're seeking financing, as it clarifies which legal entity will receive the funds and who holds the reins of the business.

Moving to the location part, you'll offer a comprehensive view of the company's premises and articulate why this specific location is strategic for the business, emphasizing factors like catchment area, accessibility, and nearby amenities.

When describing the location of your ice cream manufacturer, you may want to emphasize the potential for customer access. The area could be close to major highways and public transportation routes, providing easy access to customers. Additionally, you could mention the potential for a large customer base, as the location may be close to a variety of businesses, residential areas, and tourist destinations. Finally, you could highlight the potential for cost savings, as the area may be close to suppliers of raw materials and other resources. All of these factors could make the location an attractive option for potential financiers.

Lastly, you should introduce your esteemed management team. Provide a thorough explanation of each member's role, background, and extensive experience.

It's equally important to highlight any past successes the management team has achieved and underscore the duration they've been working together. This information will instil trust in potential lenders or investors, showcasing the strength and expertise of your leadership team and their ability to deliver the business plan.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your business plan should include a detailed description of what your company offers, who are the target customers, and what distribution channels are part of your go-to-market. 

For example, your ice cream manufacturer may offer a variety of flavors and textures of ice cream, such as traditional cream-based ice creams, vegan or dairy-free options, and even novelties like ice cream sandwiches and bars. It might also provide custom packaging services, allowing customers to purchase products with personalized logos or labels, or even offer gifts and catering services for special events. Finally, it could also provide nutritional information on all of its products, allowing customers to make informed decisions when purchasing.

4. The market analysis

When you present your market analysis in your ice cream manufacturer business plan, it's crucial to include detailed information about customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and any relevant regulations.

The main objective of this section is to help the reader understand the size and attractiveness of the market while demonstrating your solid understanding of the industry.

Begin with the demographics and segmentation subsection, providing an overview of the addressable market for your ice cream manufacturer, the key trends in the marketplace, and introducing different customer segments along with their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

Next, focus on your target market, zooming in on the specific customer segments your ice cream manufacturer aims to serve and explaining how your products and services fulfil their distinct needs.

For example, your target market might include young adults aged between 18-25. These individuals often have a disposable income and the freedom to enjoy an indulgent treat from time to time. They are likely to be highly engaged with social media and have an appreciation for novelty flavors and creative presentation.

Then proceed to the competition subsection, where you introduce your main competitors and highlight what sets you apart from them.

Finally, conclude your market analysis with an overview of the key regulations applicable to your ice cream manufacturer.

5. The strategy section

When you write the strategy section of your ice cream manufacturer business plan, remember to cover key elements such as your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

In the competitive edge subsection, elaborate on what makes your company stand out from competitors. This becomes especially important if you're a startup, aiming to carve a place for yourself amidst established players in the marketplace.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you plan to maintain profitability while offering competitive prices to attract customers.

Outline your sales & marketing plan, detailing how you'll reach out to new customers and retain existing ones through loyalty programs or special offers.

For the milestones subsection, outline your company's achievements to date and your main objectives for the future, complete with specific dates to set clear expectations for progress.

Lastly, the risks and mitigants subsection should address the main risks that could affect your plan's execution. Explain the measures you've put in place to minimize these risks, assuring potential investors or lenders.

Your ice cream manufacturer could face the risk of a product recall due to a contamination event or a physical hazard. This could be caused by a breakdown in the production process, a lapse in food safety protocols, or the introduction of an unknown contaminant. Additionally, your ice cream manufacturer might face the risk of a lawsuit due to a customer illness or injury stemming from a contaminated product. This could be the result of a mislabeled product, a lack of proper food safety controls, or a failure to meet industry standards.

6. The operations section

The operations of your ice cream manufacturer must be presented in detail in your business plan.

The first thing you should cover in this section is your staffing team, the main roles, and the overall recruitment plan to support the growth expected in your business plan. You should also outline the qualifications and experience necessary to fulfil each role, and how you intend to recruit (using job boards, referrals, or headhunters).

You should then state the operating hours of your ice cream manufacturer - so that the reader can check the adequacy of your staffing levels - and any plans for varying opening times during peak season. Additionally, the plan should include details on how you will handle customer queries outside of normal operating hours.

The next part of this section should focus on the key assets and IP required to operate your business. If you depend on any licenses or trademarks, physical structures (equipment or property) or lease agreements, these should all go in there.

You, as an ice cream manufacturer, may have key assets such as a trademarked logo or a patented recipe. You could also have intellectual property such as the processes used to make the ice cream or a unique flavor that you have created. These assets and IP might help you to differentiate your product from others and build a strong reputation in the market.

Finally, you should include a list of suppliers that you plan to work with and a breakdown of their services and main commercial terms (price, payment terms, contract duration, etc.). Investors are always keen to know if there is a particular reason why you have chosen to work with a specific supplier (higher-quality products or past relationships for example).

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will include the financial forecast we discussed earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a clear idea of what goes into an ice cream manufacturer business plan, let's look at some of the tools you can use to create yours efficiently.

What tool should I use to write my ice cream manufacturer's business plan?

In this section, we will be reviewing the two main solutions for creating an ice cream manufacturer business plan:

  • Using specialized online business plan software,
  • Outsourcing the plan to the business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your ice cream manufacturer's business plan

The modern and most efficient way to write an ice cream manufacturer business plan is to use business plan software .

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

  • You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
  • You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
  • You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
  • You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
  • You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
  • You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
  • You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
  • You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Hiring a business plan writer to write your ice cream manufacturer's business plan

Outsourcing your ice cream manufacturer business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

These writers possess valuable experience in crafting business plans and creating accurate financial forecasts. Additionally, enlisting their services can save you precious time, enabling you to concentrate on the day-to-day operations of your business.

It's important to be mindful, though, that hiring business plan writers comes with a cost. You'll be paying not just for their time but also for the software they use, and their profit margin.

Based on experience, a complete business plan usually requires a budget of at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax, and more if revisions are needed after initial meetings with lenders or investors - changes often arise following these discussions.

When seeking investment, be cautious about spending too much on consulting fees. Investors prefer their funds to contribute directly to business growth. Thus, the amount you spend on business plan writing services and other consulting services should be negligible compared to the amount you raise.

Another aspect to consider is that while you'll receive the output of the business plan, you usually won't own the actual document. It will be saved in the consultant's business plan software, which will make updating the plan challenging without retaining the consultant on a retainer.

Given these factors, it's essential to carefully weigh the pros and cons of outsourcing your ice cream manufacturer business plan to a business plan writer and decide what best suits your business's unique needs.

Why not create your ice cream manufacturer's business plan using Word or Excel?

Using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write an ice cream manufacturer business plan is a terrible idea.

For starters, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel (or any spreadsheet) is very technical and requires both a strong grasp of accounting principles and solid skills in financial modelling.

As a result, it is unlikely anyone will trust your numbers unless - like us at The Business Plan Shop - you hold a degree in finance and accounting and have significant financial modelling experience in your past.

The second reason is that it is inefficient. Building forecasts on spreadsheets was the only option in the 1990s and early 2000s, nowadays technology has advanced and software can do it much faster and much more accurately.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Also, using software makes it easy to compare actuals vs. forecasts and maintain our forecasts up to date to maintain visibility on future cash flows - as we discussed earlier in this guide - whereas this is a pain to do with a spreadsheet.

That's for the forecast, but what about the written part of my ice cream manufacturer business plan?

This part is less error-prone, but here also software brings tremendous gains in productivity:

  • Word processors don't include instructions and examples for each part of your business plan
  • Word processors don't update your numbers automatically when they change in your forecast
  • Word processors don't handle the formatting for you

Overall, while Word or Excel may be viable options for creating an ice cream manufacturer business plan for some entrepreneurs, it is by far not the best or most efficient solution.

  • Using business plan software is a modern and cost-effective way of writing and maintaining business plans.
  • A business plan is not a one-shot exercise as maintaining it current is the only way to keep visibility on your future cash flows.
  • A business plan has 2 main parts: a financial forecast outlining the funding requirements of your ice cream manufacturer and the expected growth, profits and cash flows for the next 3 to 5 years; and a written part which gives the reader the information needed to decide if they believe the forecast is achievable.

We hope that this in-depth guide met your expectations and that you now have a clear understanding of how to write your ice cream manufacturer business plan. Do not hesitate to contact our friendly team if you have questions additional questions we haven't addressed here.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

  • How to write a business plan to secure a bank loan?
  • Key steps to write a business plan?
  • Top mistakes to avoid in your business plan

Do you know entrepreneurs interested in starting or growing an ice cream manufacturer? Share this article with them!

Guillaume Le Brouster

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

Page last updated on 24 Nov 2023 , as per our editorial standards (originally published on 12 Sep 2023 ).

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How to start an ice cream shop

How to Write an Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

ice cream business plan executive summary

Want to open an ice cream shop?

It’s never been a better time to open an ice cream business. Now more than ever, customers seek small indulgences and find them in ice cream or yogurt shops.

You’ll find ice cream and frozen yogurt shops everywhere, satisfying local communities from small towns to big cities. In addition, the benefits of starting an ice cream shop are numerous.

Whether you want to start an ice cream shop, ice cream truck, or frozen yogurt shop, you’re going to need a plan.

In today’s post, we will talk about the importance of writing your ice cream shop business plan and how to get started.

Recommended Reading: Low-Cost Ice Cream Business Ideas

Why Do You Need an Ice Cream Business Plan?

An ice cream shop business plan will help you organize your thoughts into one cohesive plan. Your ice cream shop business plan will help to ensure that you cover all your bases. From your ice cream business concept to your budget to your financial forecasts, you will want to make sure everything is legit before moving forward.

Your ice cream shop business plan is created for a specific audience:

  • You (the business owner)
  • Potential bankers and investors
  • Property managers

Potential investors want to see a thorough business plan before they invest any money into it. They want to know whether lending you money is a prudent or intelligent choice. A well-researched business plan shows your potential investors that you are a serious business person. A well-thought-out business plan shows what it will take to generate profits and have ultimate success.

Property managers that you will lease your property from will want to see a well-written business plan.

After all, they want to know what type of business will be working on their property. Additionally, they want to feel confident that your business will be successful.

I believe that the more you plan and research any business, the more money you will save at the end of the day. Writing an ice cream shop business plan is no different. I believe it will save you time, money, and lots of hassle.

So, let’s get to it!

There’s no determined length of a business plan. What is more important is that all of the essential factors are covered in your project. Depending on your specific circumstances, you may want to add or subtract from the following items typically found in a business plan.

A typical business plan will cover the following topics in detail:

Executive Summary

The business description, products & services, ownership and management, the target market, your objectives, business to date, startups budget, operational budget, sales forecast.

  • Break-Even Analysis

Market & Competition

  • Ongoing Analysis

An ice cream shop business plan is often followed by an action plan that details the milestones of opening your business. An action plan tells you what steps have to be taken and by when so that you can smoothly move forward. Your ice cream shop action plan will give you a push when you need it.

Recommended Reading: How Much Does A Small Ice Cream Shop Cost?

ice cream street vending

Contents for an Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

This will summarize your overall ice cream plan. While this section usually comes first, I recommend writing it last as you will have a better idea of your comprehensive plan after you finish writing it.

Make this section fun, exciting, and full of the ice cream flavors you wish to share with the world!

This summary can be used as your “elevator pitch” and help you describe your business within 30 seconds or less. Let your summary be a powerful introduction to your ice cream business.

First impressions count. In this section, you will introduce your ice cream shop business to your readers.

In detail, describe your ice cream business concept and what pain point you are trying to soothe in your customers. Additionally, give a little background of how your business idea came to be and why your business should exist.

Investors and property managers will see whether the business concept or business model is the right fit for them.

Mmmmmm…the incredible, sweet taste of cold ice cream.

Make the reader feel just as good as tasting your coconut vanilla ice cream.

Yes, you are selling ice cream, but use this section for diving into all of your products and services in detail.

For example, will you sell a particular line of ice cream that you make yourself? Will you offer vegan or organic ice cream or frozen yogurt or adding unique toppings? Will you sell other foods, desserts or provide espresso-based drinks to your customers?

You want to fully describe what type of experience your customers will have when buying your product and spending time at your shop.

In this section, you will want to talk a little bit about yourself and your team. What experience, education, or assets do you bring to the business? How will you leverage your expertise to create the best ice cream shop in your city?

In addition, you could talk about the team you are bringing on board. For example, you may discuss bringing in a manager that has worked at several other ice cream shops.

Investors will be looking at this section to make sure that you are developing a team around you that will increase the probability of your success. You want to display confidence – in yourself and in the team you are bringing on board.

Who will be enjoying your ice cream?

Utilize this section of your business plan to tell the reader who you are trying to reach. Your target market is key to your success, and you must understand everything about them.

Specifically:

Who are your customers?

Why would they be interested in visiting your ice cream shop?

What are some key demographics about them?

This section will require some research on your part. For example, you might need to visit other neighboring businesses, walk the neighborhood, get existing data that can help you understand who they are and what will motivate them to visit your ice cream shop.

Serving strawberry and vanilla ice cream is a part of your business – but what is the ultimate objective?

What are your business goals? What is the added value that your ice cream shop creates in the neighborhood? Can you list everything from providing a safe place for neighborhood kids to enjoy ice cream to expanding to three other locations within three years?

Both your investors and your property managers will be interested in knowing your objectives – your motivations – for starting your ice cream business.

You are starting an ice shop, but where are you ultimately taking your business? Describe your vision and your mission in a way that generates excitement for your readers.

If you have already started making progress towards setting up your business, you will mention it here. Remember, this section is often read by investors or property owners to see how far along you are in your planning.

For example, if you are in the process of buying an ice cream truck or have already developed your logo, you could mention it here. This part will change often every time you update your business plan and move forward with opening your business.

ice cream business plan executive summary

Your investors will be paying particular attention to this section – and you should too. After all, we’re talking about money.

You will want to have a well-thought-out startup budget that details the money you need to start and how much money you will need to borrow.

This section should back up your reasoning for seeking a business loan, investment from a private investor, or borrowing from family and friends. In essence, you want to describe your funding mix, the sources and the amount of money coming in, as well as the obligations coming from it.

Your operation budget is different from your startup budget. Your operational budget is the money required for you to operate. This will include everything from your monthly rent, utilities, insurance, labor costs, and inventory.

How much money do will you make as an ice cream shop owner? This section will detail your estimated sales forecasts.

Since you predict your sales numbers, you can only imagine your investors and property owners’ interest in this section. This section will also be good for you to understand just how much money you can make opening an ice cream business. This section may include estimated sales, anticipated costs, and your break-even point analysis.

You want to understand your target market as a whole. This would include understanding your competition. If you live in a thriving community, the chances are you will have some competition – either directly or indirectly. Competition isn’t necessarily bad. If your city has the numbers to sustain two or more ice cream businesses, you will want to focus on your strengths. You want to list your strengths and how you will position yourself to best deal with your anticipated competition. You might want to also present a SWOT analysis of your ice cream business here.

You have to develop a plan to tell people about your ice cream! This section will detail your marketing strategy and how you plan to reach and connect with your customers.

It could detail actional steps you’ll be taking – from building your brand, developing your logo, creating a website to other necessary steps:

  • Local Advertising
  • Creating Signs
  • Social Media
  • POS Marketing
  • Sending Mailers
  • Email marketing

Every business plan has a section in the back where they can place pictures, drawings, sketches. If you have mock-ups of your logo or the layout of your ice cream business, you will also want to add them here too.

How to Write an Ice Cream Business Plan

Is an ice cream shop profitable.

Yes! Nearly every person on the planet loves ice cream. People love ice cream, and they are interested in buying it. It can be profitable if you go after the right target market with the right concept and product. Ultimately your ice cream profits will depend on the number of sales you encounter each day.

How to Write an Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

How to Sell Ice Cream on the Street

How to Write an Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

How Do You Start Your Own Ice Cream Business?

Start an Ice Cream Shop LLC Business

Start an Ice Cream Shop LLC Business

Set Up Your Ice Cream Shop Business Structure

Set up Your Ice Cream Shop Business Structure

Are Ice Cream Shops Profitable?

Are Ice Cream Shops Profitable?

Why Some Ice Cream Shops Fail

Why Ice Cream Shops Fail

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BusinessPlanTemplate.com - The World's Leading Business Plan Template Directory

Ice Cream Shop Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

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Ice Cream Shop Business Plan Template

If you want to start an Ice Cream Shop business or expand your current Ice Cream Shop business, you need a business plan.

The following Ice Cream Shop business plan template gives you the key elements to include in a winning Ice Cream Parlor business plan.

You can download our Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

Below are links to each of the key sections of an example ice cream business plan. Once you create your plan, download it to PDF to show banks and investors.

Ice Cream Shop Business Plan Home I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

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Frozen Custard Shop Business Plan

Start your own frozen custard shop business plan

Bauman's Frozen Custard

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice will be a scoop shop located on a busy street in downtown Eugene, Oregon.  Bauman’s is a start-up shop and has long-term presence plans in the Eugene/Springfield market.  Along with a $15,000 investment by Matthew Bauman, Bauman’s Frozen Custard hopes to initially make a successful effort to secure start up financing through a combination of investment and debt to establish the location.

Bauman’s is looking to bring Frozen Custard and Italian Ice to the Eugene market, where the product is currently unavailable.  The company’s initial offerings will be a mixture of rich, creamy Frozen Custard and bright, sweet Italian Ice in a selection of sizes.  Through selective marketing we intend to create a loyal customer base that will see Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice as a high-class, yet affordable scoop shop with a prestigious product offering. 

We predict our first year sales will reach approximately $66,000 and climb to over $90,000 by the end of the second year.  Despite an initial loss in year one, we expect to become profitable by year two without endangering our cash reserves.  According to our marketing research, these sales should be easily attainable by even a start up scoop shop. Our overall financial model is conservative and it emphasizes long-term opportunities in the local market over quick returns favored by hip new restaurants with short life spans in bigger cities.

Frozen custard shop business plan, executive summary chart image

1.1 Mission

To create the finest quality all natural frozen custard and Italian ice with a commitment to incorporating the freshest, richest, and creamiest ingredients into a world class product. 

To meet the highest standards of excellence with superb service and product offerings in a friendly, sparkling, and soothing atmosphere.

To actively seek out and respond to the needs of our customers.

1.2 Objectives

The objectives of Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice are to:

  • Achieve more than $65,000 in sales during the first year of operations.
  • Increase annual sales in the second year by 30% or more over the initial year.
  • Make sure at least one out of every five people within 10 blocks of our store is aware of the unique flavor benefits Frozen Custard has over traditional ice cream within our first six (6) months of operations.
  • Establish the business as the premier Frozen Custard store in Eugene.

1.3 Keys to Success

Bauman’s keys to success will include:

  • Presenting a high level of quality in its product line.
  • Maintaining and growing relationships with customers to generate new and repeat sales.
  • Significant spending in grass roots marketing.
  • Innovating new product offerings that will differentiate us from our competition.

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Company summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">.

Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice will purchase frozen custard mix and Italian Ice base from a distributor in Pennsylvania. We will use a frozen custard freezer to quickly freeze the custard product into a premium, dense and creamy frozen dessert. We will feature vanilla and chocolate flavors each day plus one or two additional flavors of the day. 

The Italian ice base mix will be made into approximately 30 various flavors using flavor concentrate from a distributor in Salem, Oregon. The Italian Ice will then be frozen in a specialty machine known as a batch freezer.  It will then be stored in a display case at a high enough temperature to keep the product in a “liquid frozen” state.

The finished products will be sold from a retail outlet in downtown Eugene, Oregon. We have selected the Aurora building on the corner of East 11th Avenue and Oak Street. This is a new building and we will be leasing 1,055 square feet at a price of $1.00 per square foot/month. We have chosen this location because it meets our criteria (set forth below) and includes a generous offer of $15 per square foot that will be allocated to our business lease-hold improvement costs. This will significantly help us reduce costs associated with starting this business.

The Aurora building provides Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice with a prime location in the downtown sector. We will be positioned between the University of Oregon campus and the West Eugene neighborhoods. Our location is 9 blocks from the campus Ben and Jerry’s, 8 blocks from the nearest Dairy Queen, and 3 blocks from the Pearl Street Ice Cream Parlour. The Aurora building offers Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice the following  requirements suggested by another owner of a frozen custard shop:

  • Optimum size: 800-1,000 square feet.
  • Traffic Count: 15,000 daily vehicle count is preferred.
  • Demographics: Typically 25,000 people in a three (3) mile radius.
  • Must be able to be approved for walk-up window service. 
  • Signage: Trademark back-lit awnings and dome signs required.
  • Parking: Ideally the site will have clearly visible parking in excess of 20 spaces.

On a recent Friday evening between the hours of 8:30-9:30pm, we observed 462 cars, 18 cyclists, 6 buses, and 96 pedestrians on East 11th Avenue. This number is half of the estimated traffic flow past our location, as Oak Street has just as much traffic flow. The Aurora building, then, would have an estimated count exceeding 18,000 vehicles per day. This provides Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice with a prime, highly visible location in downtown Eugene.

Our customers are primarily young people ages 18-25, and families who have pre-teen children. These individuals seek out flavorful sweet treats. Currently Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice is in the beginning of its planning stages. The company will be organized as a closely-held LLC with a majority of the ownership retained by the founder and primary investor.

The company is seeking to raise approximately $70,000 in loans and another $10,000 from private investors, with $15,000 invested by Matthew Bauman, for start-up purposes.

2.1 Start-up Summary

To start up this business, we expect to incur short-term debt of $5,000 to cover initial inventory and other expenses for the first three months. We also anticipate the need for a long-term loan of $70,000 to cover equipment and fixtures costs. We also expect to incur $675 worth of legal expenses based on the cost of forming the LLC and other legal liability issues.

Frozen custard shop business plan, company summary chart image

2.2 Company Ownership

The company will be owned by Matthew Bauman and one or two additional partners.  Bauman will contribute $15,000 and the other investor(s) will contribute a combined additional $10,000.  This will keep the majority of the equity in the company under Bauman’s control.  A buy/sell agreement will be established with the other investors when the Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) is formed, to allow an exit strategy for one or all of the investors.

Bauman’s will sell premium fresh-made Frozen Custard and Italian Ice. Frozen Custard is a natural, wholesome, frozen dairy product. It differs from ice cream in both taste and texture. Currently, the popular product known as Frozen Custard in the Midwest and on the East Coast is not available in Oregon. There are a handful of small businesses in Oregon that sell a product they call “frozen custard,” but this is not true Frozen Custard. Our product will be unique to the Pacific Northwest.

Customers can choose their flavor of frozen custard (vanilla, chocolate, and one or two additional daily flavors) and then choose to have it mixed with their choice of Italian ice flavors (over 30 flavors offered daily). Then they can enjoy their desserts in a warm, relaxing atmosphere similar to an upscale coffee house.

Frozen Custard has…

  • Rich Flavor because it is made with an Egg Base
  • Less Fat and Sugar than Most Premium Ice Creams
  • Smoother and Creamier Texture (no ice crystals as in ice cream or ice milk.)
  • Old-Fashioned Homemade Taste (made fresh every day.)
  • Greater Density (less air whipped in, so it’s much more filling than soft serve.)

Italian Ice is…

  • A Fruit-flavored ice mix with a smooth texture (very small ice crystals)
  • A Sweet and Fat Free frozen product
  • Made without Dairy or Egg products
  • Made with Real Fruit Concentrate
  • The Consistency of a Slushie

Both Frozen Custard and Italian Ice are lower in fat and sugar contents than other premium ice creams available on the market. Our product is creamier and smoother in texture than ice cream, and it is the only product available as hard serve from a soft-serve machine. This is because Frozen Custard is made using a unique machine called a batch freezer. This freezer pumps less air into the mix as it is rapidly being frozen. The final product is dense, smooth, and creamy.

Our product bases will be purchased from a company in Pennsylvania. We have contacted them about supplying us with products. They offer premade frozen custard base, to which Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice will then add flavorings and freeze in our specialty equipment. The Italian ice base mix arrives as a flavorless mix. We will add flavor concentrate from a company in Salem, Oregon that specializes in manufacturing fruit flavor concentrates from fresh seasonal fruit. We will offer at least 30 unique Italian Ice flavors each day. They will be frozen in a batch freezer and then stored in a display case at a temperature between 15-26 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows the Italian Ice to remain in a “liquid frozen” state similar to a slushie.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

The market we will engage in is the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area.  The specific market we will serve consists of a 25 square block radius around our scoop shop and includes the university student population and those primarily within walking distance of the shop in downtown Eugene. The overall age demographics of the population break down as follows:

  • 13% over 65
  • 25% between 45 and 64
  • 28% between 25 and 44
  • 12% between 18 and 24
  • 23% of the population is under 18

The total population of the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area is 316,000 people, of which 157,000 are female and 159,000 are male.  Married-couple families make up close to 50% of the population, while people living alone make up an additional 33%. 

Our local market has a mixed educational background – about half have a college degree or higher. While most people (72%) drive to work, the high concentration of downtown business and parking garages ensures steady foot traffic past our location. Median annual household income (including single people) is roughly $33,000, and 63% of the population lives in single unit structures (houses). These numbers tell us that we are situated in a relatively educated, affluent area of the state, in a destination area of town.

Within this population, we are focusing on two separate groups with different needs: 18-24 year olds, including students at the local university, and “first families” – young adults (25-35) with children under 13.

18-24 year olds have disposable incomes which they tend to spend on immediate gratification items, especially when those products have a prestige or individuality value. The population around the downtown area is highly populated by the 18-24 age demographic. We will also target “first families” (see above). They have limited entertainment dollars to spend each year, and our company can offer them some family bonding time for approximately $15, versus $30 to $40 for dinner or a movie. In both of these groups, we will aggressively target young women, who tend to brand loyalty in food choices, and often turn to indulgence foods in times of stress or celebration.

4.1 Market Segmentation

The potential customer groups for Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice are:

18-24 Year Olds

Our market research indicates about 38,000 potential customers in the Eugene-Springfield area who are within this age range. The target customer is going to be a part of the “town and gown” niche: half college students and half local residents. They have a tendency to spend more than they can afford on prestige products.

First Families

These are the grown children of the baby boomer population having children of their own. Most of their children are not yet teens. By targeting this group, we can not only generate a large volume of immediate business, but also create long term customers in the children.  We also have found that families are eating out at ice cream and frozen yogurt shops more, because such places are often cheaper than other restaurants, allowing a parent to feed the family for under $15. We are conservatively estimating the population size as half of the local household population with children under 18. Because the average family size is 2.92 people per household, we estimate that population of all potential people in the household population to be 55,852. We do expect some overlap between 18-24 year olds and the first families population.

Our downtown location and increasing customer base will probably draw in customers outside of our targeted groups, including those attending the Saturday market, coming downtown to shop, or attending plays or musical events. We conservatively estimate this third market segment at about 3,160 people (1% of the total local population).

Frozen custard shop business plan, market analysis summary chart image

4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy

The 18-24 year olds go out for ice cream more than any other age group. Within the 18-24 year old group, the “town and gown” niche is very important, because they heavily populate the area surrounding the store’s location.  They are reachable through music, specifically R&B, and they prefer prestige products, which matches our choice of product offering.

The “first families” were chosen because they are a growing population, both numerically and in their choice to go out for ice cream more often.  They are an easy group to market to because their lifestyle is very specific.  They all have young children, so tactics that are geared towards markets that relate to children or to the children themselves may prove highly effective in generating trial and sales. 

We plan to reach the first families through their children.  Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice will sponsor a little league ball team and offer the players a free Frozen Custard on days they win a game.  This will draw them and their families into the store.

We will also invite local elementary schools to come and tour our facilities.  We will teach the children how we make frozen custard and Italian ice.  We will let each child make their own creation and hope they enjoy their time at our scoop shop so much, that they convince their parents to bring them back.

4.3 Industry Analysis

The frozen dessert industry experienced sales of more than $20.7 billion last year, with $13 billion of that on “away from home desserts.”

The frozen dessert market is expected to grow by seven percent each year through 2008.  There are several existing competitors in the community, including: Pearl Street Ice Cream Parlour, Dairy Queen, Ben and Jerry’s Homemade, Cold Stone Creamery, and Prince Pückler’s. The competitors consist of both national franchises and locally owned stores. Each store has a unique product that allows it to differentiate itself from others within the marketplace. Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice will also feature several unique products that will allow us to differentiate our product from those currently available in the market. The following is a breakdown of the ice cream industry on a national basis:

Consumption

  • Total U.S. production of ice cream and related frozen desserts in 2001 amounted to more than 1.6 billion gallons, which translates to about 23 quarts per person. Source: USDA
  • In 2001, total U.S. sales of ice cream and frozen desserts reached $20.7 billion. Of that total, $13 billion was spent on “away from home” frozen dessert purchases (scoop shops, food service and other retail sales outlets). Source: 2002 Latest Scoop
  • Ice cream and related frozen desserts are consumed by more than 90% of households in the United States. Source: ACNielsen
  • According to 2001 supermarket volume sales, regular ice cream accounts for the largest share of the frozen dessert market, with 80% of purchases. Reduced-fat, light, low fat and nonfat ice cream account for 11% of the market, followed by sherbet (4.5%), frozen yogurt (4%), and sorbet (0.5%). Source: Information Resources Inc. (IRI)
  • Based on 2001 supermarket sales of ice cream, the top five individual flavors in the United States are: vanilla (28%), chocolate (8%), neapolitan (7%), butter pecan (4.5%), and chocolate chip (3.5%). Source: Information Resources Inc. (IRI)
  • The United States leads the world in annual production of ice cream and related frozen desserts, at more than 1.6 billion gallons in 2001. Source: USDA
  • Based on supermarket statistics in 2001, ice cream volume sales by quality segment were: super premium (3.5%), premium (51.5%) and regular (45%). Source: IRI
  • In recent years, the ice cream and frozen dessert industry has seen significant growth.  Much of this growth has come in the premium and super-premium ice cream category. Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice will serve products that fall into the premium ice cream category. Premium and super-premium products are typically found at scoop shops similar to Cold Stone Creamery, Ben and Jerry’s and Prince Pücklers.
  • Many ice cream manufacturers have opened specialty scoop shops in recent years as a way to increase profits. These shops allow businesses to charge more for their product then selling wholesale to grocery stores.
  • Manufacturers have developed lines of premium and super-premium products that have significantly higher profit margins than standard ice cream products. 
  • In recent years, there has been a significant move towards allowing customers to create their own product combinations.  Customization allows customers to make the product more personal, and tailored to their specific desires.

4.3.1 Competition and Buying Patterns

In the frozen dessert industry, consumers make purchasing choices for a number of reasons. Perceived quality of product is essential for consumers going out to eat, because of the price premium they must pay. A gallon of generic (or even name-brand) ice cream in the grocery store will cost about as much as servings for one or two people at a scoop shop. Most of our competitors have emphasized the high quality of their products to justify their prices. Others, like Dairy Queen, tout convenience and low price, but they are able to do this because they offer many other products, as well.

Consumers going out for a frozen dessert want consistent quality, a particular ambience (which varies by market segment), and, recently, a statement about their individuality through their food choices. Ben and Jerry’s has responded to these needs with appeals to socially and environmentally conscious production; Cold Stone Creamery offers unparalleled “just for you” customization and service; Baskin Robbins’ famous “31 flavors” comes from the vast array of choice consumers demand.

Among the Eugene/Springfield population, many consumers have consistently shown a committment to local brands and locally-made products over national brands and chains. In the local frozen dessert market, Prince Pückler’s has benefited from this preference by making its ice cream in the store from high-quality local ingredients. We will play up the “made-daily-in-our-shop” aspects of both of our products, as well as the fact that we are locally owned and operated by people invested in the community.

We anticipate that our target markets will also be concerned with quality and individuality, but in different ways. The 18-24 year olds are looking for good tasting, prestige products. The price premium, in this case, is an advantage. More particularly, as a former student, I have observed that university students are constantly seeking “new” quaint, high-quality local businesses which offer unique products their peers have not already adopted en masse. Our frozen custards and Italian ices are just different enough from standard premium ice creams that they will be familiar, yet “new.” These consumers want a place where they can socialize comfortably with each other, and can be seen by their peers in a trendy place. They want to maximize product customization to emphasize their sense of individuality, within comfortable parameters; new combinations of familiar flavors work well with this group.

The young families in our targeted market are cost-conscious, and often health conscious. Eugene has an unusually high number of bikers, joggers, runners, and outdoor sports enthusiasts. The lower fat and sugar content of our products will appeal to young parents seeking a “treat” for themselves and their children that doesn’t come with a hefty price tag or unhealthy empty calories. These consumers want a family-friendly place where spills and drips are not a catastrophe, but with a comfortable atmosphere a bit more upscale than most fast food stores. They want comfortable, familiar flavors for their children, who crave predictability, and more adventurous flavor and ingredient options for themselves. 

4.3.2 Competitors

Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice faces approximately 15 competitors in the Eugene area.  The top competition comes from several national chain stores that have years of experience and significant brand recognition as well as several locally based competitors. In spite of all the competition, each of these scoop shops remains profitable and open year-round. 

National Competitors in the Local Market

  • Ben and Jerry’s
  • Cold Stone Creamery
  • Dairy Queen
  • Baskin-Robbins
  • “TCBY” Yogurt
  • All American Ice Cream

Many of these national chains have strong brand recognition and their products are known for consistent quality.  Several of these competitors have been in the Eugene area for over 20 years.  In recent years, there has been a trend for the national ice cream manufacturers to open more scoop shops as a way to increase profitability.  Each of these competitors has a unique product that differentiates them from their competition. 

Cold Stone Creamery had only 5 stores in 1995 when they began offering franchises. Today they have over 800 outlets with an additional 500 in the works.  Cold Stone has one retail store in Eugene, Oregon.  Cold Stone Creamery offers customers the opportunity to create their own dessert. Customers select their favorite flavor of ice cream and then choose which toppings they would like mixed in.  The entire process happens right before the customer on a giant slab of frozen marble.  The trend of customizing creations has been a very successful strategy for Cold Stone Creamery.  This allows them to charge a premium for this customization:  their prices range from $3.00-$4.50. 

Dairy Queen is set apart from other competition because they do not focus their business solely on ice cream related products.  They offer a full line of burgers, fries, and other fast food menu items.  The full menu line allows customers the eat dinner and have dessert while at the same location.  This also helps offset the seasonality of ice cream products, during the winter months.

Ben and Jerry’s Homemade has seen average annual growth of 13.3% in recent years.  Begun in 1978 with a $12,000 investment, their 1998 sales exceeded $209 million.  Ben and Jerry’s has two retail stores in Eugene, and they sell their pints via grocery outlets nationwide.

Baskin-Robbins is a retail franchise chain that has over 2,500 domestic retail outlets as well as 2,400 stores internationally.  There are 4 locations in the Eugene/Springfield area.

Local Competitors

  • Prince Pückler’s
  • Pearl Street Ice Cream Parlour

Both of these local shops have a strong following of local supporters.  The Pearl Street Ice Cream Parlour has been in Eugene since 1968.  It offers customers an old-fashioned ice cream parlour feel. They also have a broad menu of food items.

Prince Pückler’s is a locally owned ice cream manufacturer that sells products at several locations around Eugene/Springfield. Prince Pückler’s and the Pearl Street Parlour offer their customers a nostalgic feel due to their long history in Eugene. Prince Pückler’s prides itself on homemade ice cream and is very popular among Eugene residents, who have a commitment to supporting local businesses.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice will succeed in the Eugene market by selling a unique, fresh, high quality product that exceeds the customer expectations.  We will focus on the local market, targeting two specific market segments, in an attempt to achieve the best reputation in our segment.  We will strive to increase brand awareness among our target market during our first year of operation as a way to become part of their evoked set.  When a member of our target market decides they want a frozen treat, we want to be the first name they think of.

Our most important competitive edge is our unique product offering, not found elsewhere in our market.  Our goal is to maintain product consistency so that every time a customer comes into our store, they receive the same high quality, great tasting frozen treat.

However, consumers will only know how great our products are when they come in and sample them!

Once a customer has walked in the door of a scoop shop, he or she has probably already decided to purchase a dessert. However, the ambience, clarity of signage, quality of service, and product quality determine whether that choice will be repeated. Our marketing strategy is focused on the first task – getting our customers in the door, any way we can. Our sales strategy is focused on making their experience so enjoyable that they return again and again, bringing friends and relatives with them.

5.1 Competitive Edge

Bauman’s Frozen Custard’s has two competitive edges:

  • Rich and creamy, high class, low fat, frozen desserts.
  • Our friendly, neighborly approach to customers. 

Both of these selling points will help us to achieve our overall goals of a steady customer base with repeat sales. Our focus on personalized attention to our customers, and involvement in local events and clubs, will set us apart from our competition.

5.2 Milestones

The following table lists important project milestones to be undertaken before the business opens, during the start-up period, and immediately after opening the doors.  The table lists the dates and managers in charge, and budgets for each milestone. The milestone schedule indicates our emphasis on planning for implementation.

We have several key steps that need to be resolved before we can move ahead with the planning of this business.  We need to run several trial taste tests to finalize our product recipes and determine what flavors are most popular.  We also need to raise awareness among potential investors by presenting our business plan and updating them on the progress we have made towards opening.  During this time, we will be working with a local design firm to develop a company logo, our signage, and product packaging (cups, napkins, etc..).

We will then hire a close friend who has a degree in marketing/graphic arts to develop several newspaper advertisements designed to appeal to our target market.  We will use the advertisements to generate brand awareness over our first three months of operations.  Eighteen days after opening the scoop shop, we will begin our “Grand Opening” ad campaign.  This is designed to inform our target market that our doors are open.  This campaign will run for approximately 2 months.

Frozen custard shop business plan, strategy and implementation summary chart image

5.3 Marketing Strategy

Bauman’s Frozen Custard will use multiple methods to approach its target markets.  Since our most difficult task will be attracting customers for that first tasting, we have a two-tiered approach. First, a mass mailing campaign will create customer awareness and generate trial. This will include coupons and our “Grand Opening” offer: with a coupon, your first dessert at Bauman’s in April or May is free. The initial cost of this offer will be more than offset by repeat sales later. After this initial campaign, our marketing strategy will focus on our two target markets separately.

For 18-24 year olds, Bauman’s will distribute flyers on campus and at the bus station.  We will also seek permission to place fliers on the doors of apartment rentals and apartment complexes.  To further reach the “Town and Gown” niche of this market, we will purchase radio ads on specific radio stations that feature R&B music.

To reach the “first families” more effectively, we plan to sponsor events and help out with local elementary schools and after school activities. Such plans include: sponsoring a little league team; offering a tour of the shop to elementary school students; and giving coupons and promotional information to the children to bring their families in.

All of these marketing campaigns will be supplemented by ongoing “brand awareness” campaigns, with advertisements in the local paper, interviews with the college newspaper (as the owner is a graduate), and fliers posted at popular local events. We will highlight our community service involvements as part of our “good neighbor” approach to doing business in this area.

5.4 Sales Strategy

Our sales strategy focuses first on providing the highest quality products and services to our target customers. Once a customer enters our store, it is our job to make sure their experience with us is enjoyable. Product offerings and prices will be clearly posted behind the counter, and scoopers will be educated about the ingredients and processes involved in each one, so they can answer any and all customer questions. Customers can taste any product before choosing. “Flavors of the day” will rotate throughout the entire set of flavor options, and we will keep a running tally of flavor choices, correlated with weather patterns for the day, to determine customer favorites. (While many customers may prefer mango to banana, we will certainly sell more on sunny days than rainy ones.)

In addition, our seating area will be comfortable, clean, and attractive, with booster seats available. Our restroom will include a changing table, which young families will appreciate. Customers can help themselves to free water from a container on the side of the counter.

We will initially offer three sizes: 5oz., 7oz., 9oz. sized cups. Prices will be based on size, with a 5oz serving priced at $2.00, the 7oz. $2.50, and the 9oz. at $3.00. There will be additional topping options at $0.35 each, thus increasing the sale price. 

5.4.1 Sales Forecast

Our sales will largely be determined by foot traffic in the area, the season of the year, and current weather conditions. We estimate first year sales of approximately $66,840, $97,760 in the second year, and $113,402 in the third year following this plan.

These sales forecasts are based on several real world observations. On a rainy Friday afternoon in May, we observed 25 people an hour, make a purchase from one of our future competitors located in a mall. During a weekend evening in May, we observed 40 people an hour, make a purchase at an ice cream shop in Eugene, OR.  We chose to use the first observation (25) and cut it in half for the approximate number of hourly customers we would have after being in business for several months.  We also assumed that there would be a 60% increase in summer month sales over winter month sales.  This information was given to us by the manager of a local ice cream store chain. 

Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice plans to have a soft start, inviting only family and friends over for the first few weeks.  This will help the owners get experience in managing a scoop shop and help them be better prepared for the summer rush.  Because we have little brand recognition, initial sales beyond that are predicted to be low, averaging less than half of the observed hourly rate over the year and less than a third of the observed rate during the start up months.  We expect our sales to follow a seasonal trend, peaking out in July (the first year we assumed to still be building a customer base) and reaching a low in December and January. 

For the second year, we expect to see a total 46% increase in sales due to a normal annual sales volume, and the dramatic difference between the monthly average of the startup months and their counterparts in the second year. In the third year, we expect a more conservative 16% increase in sales revenues.

Our sales forecast assumes a 10% increase in costs over the next year due to the increase in dairy product and sugar prices, which is a reasonable assumption given the current market data.

Frozen custard shop business plan, strategy and implementation summary chart image

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

Matthew Bauman has a strong entrepreneurial spirit and he is prepared to invest a great deal of time and effort over the coming years to make Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice a successful business venture. The owner has an outside income source and does not expect to see returns on his initial investment until year four. Mr. Bauman shall act as the store manager, with the other owners acting as assistant managers. They shall be responsible for hiring and supervising part time help that will be hired as needed, throughout the year. Additional assistance is acquired on a part-time basis and/or through the use of consultants, specifically in legal matters.  The owner, Matthew Bauman, has close family connections with many consultants who can advise the business. 

Matthew Bauman will graduate from the University of Oregon in July, 2004 with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration.  He will have a concentration in Entrepreneurial Business. He also studied architecture, prior to becoming a business major. In June of 2000, Matthew Bauman graduated from Chemeketa Community College with an Associates of Arts Oregon Transfer degree. 

Mr. Bauman has previously worked at a start-up pizzeria in his home town. He accepted the job to learn more about starting up an independent, small business and learn the ropes. This year, he started his own race management company.  As a long time runner, Mr. Bauman saw a need for a quality, efficient race management company to host local road races.  His company will host their first race in September 2004. He has also volunteered as an assistant Cross Country coach at Kennedy High School in Mount Angel, OR.

Matthew Bauman’s interest in Frozen Custard was sparked when he first tasted it back in 1997 in St. Louis, Missouri.  Since that date, he has been extensively researching the product, talking with other scoop shop owners, and testing recipes. Mr. Bauman has several mentors in the ice cream/frozen dessert industry across the country, and often calls upon them for advice.

6.1 Personnel Plan

We expect seasonal hiring of part time employees.  Because we will offer no benefits to our employees, full time employees will not be hired (nor are they necessary through the first year.)

We foresee hiring two or three part-time employees besides the two or three owners to begin working in May. Our two or three employees will share hours during the week because we expect to have a paid employee work an average of 5 hours per day for 7 days per week. We will pay wages of $7.10 per hour which is slightly above minimum wage. Matthew Bauman will contribute his time as store manager, with other owner(s) substituting him when needed.

In May, we expect to be open 68 hours per week. This is our summer hourly schedule.  In winter months, we expect to have a paid employee work only 15 hours per week. During the winter months (December, January, and February) we expect to be open 52 hours per week.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

Bauman’s Frozen Custard expects to raise $70,000 in long-term debt with $25,000 from the owners.  A short term loan of $5,000 will be used to maintain a level of cash necessary to maintain expected inventory levels and to buy additional inventory should sales be higher than expected.  The long-term debt will be paid back over the next ten years.  No other immediate financing needs are expected.

With sales increasing from $66,000 the first year to over $113,000 by year three, Bauman’s Custard will begin to turn a net profit early in year two, and increase net worth in years two and three after initial decreases.

7.1 Important Assumptions

One important assumption is the initial sales projections. We made this estimate by taking an assumed hourly average observed at a local ice cream shop. We then drastically cut the number to reflect seasonality, our unknown brand name, and reduced foot traffic. These estimates are extremely conservative, and we expect actual sales to surpass them almost immediately.

We assumed the borrowing rate at 4.08% for the short term and 5.20% for the long term and an increase of 1.00% per year for the next two years in the interest rate due to a recovering economy. We also assumed initial investment in equipment and fixtures at $69,800.

7.2 Break-even Analysis

The break-even analysis shows that Bauman’s Frozen Custard has sufficient sales strength to remain viable.  Our break-even point is $7,058 per month. We estimate our average sales price at $2.50, which is an approximate sale price for a medium-size dessert at our retail outlet. This translates in the break-even unit sales of 2,823 per month. Our sales forecast for the first year calls for an average of 2,228 units per month. This was calculated by total yearly sales ($66,840), divided by 12 months, divided by average sale price per customer ($2.50). However, in the second year we expect to sell, on average, 435 more units a month than our break even point. This will allow Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice to increase the net worth of the business after our initial year of operations.

Frozen custard shop business plan, financial plan chart image

7.3 Projected Profit and Loss

Over the first year we expect to incur a loss of $16,753.  This will largely be due to the losses during the start up months and recurring payroll and other expenses.  Over the next year we expect to see a more stable and sustainable profit level of $3,337, and in the third year we expect our profits to grow to $6,396.  This is based on our estimation that sales will grow by 46% over the second year.  This occurs because of the increase in brand awareness of the company, our continuous advertising campaign, and 8% annual industry growth over all.

Frozen custard shop business plan, financial plan chart image

7.4 Projected Cash Flow

Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice expects to manage cash flow over the first year with the assistance of retained earnings and cash reserves from our short-term loan of $5,000.This financing is required to assist in covering unforseen expenses and help us through seasonal fluctuations in customers. We expect to finance our long-term assets with a $70,000 long-term loan, on which we expect to make monthly payments over the next ten years. During 2005-06, we will incur a loss in cash flow as long as our expenses exceed our revenues.

We estimate that our business will be cash flow positive in our second and third year. We expect second year cash flow to be approximately $646, and $4,162 our third year.

Frozen custard shop business plan, financial plan chart image

7.5 Projected Balance Sheet

As stated earlier, the owners emphasize long-term growth in the business value over short-term returns. Our projected balance sheet shows a decrease in net worth over the first year to $3,185 from $19,938 at startup.  However, starting from the second year, our net worth steadily increases to $6,522 and by the end of the third year we expect the value of the firm to increase to $12,919.  With the present financial projections we will be careful in keeping costs to a minimum without making sacrifices to product quality.  It will not be necessary for Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice to purchase more assets, because our machinery has at least a twenty (20) year life span and will have production capacity that exceeds our needs.

7.6 Business Ratios

Our gross margin is significantly above the industry average (Frozen Custard Industry SIC 2024.0201).  We believe this is because a large part of this industry involves manufacturers who produce large quantities using economies of scale.  As a scoop shop, Bauman’s Frozen Custard and Italian Ice can command a higher price per gallon than wholesale manufacturers, but more costs are incurred in terms of man hours and marketing expenses.

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ice cream business plan executive summary

  • Business Plans Handbook
  • Business Plans - Volume 03
  • Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

Ice Cream Shop

Ice Cream Shop 215

BUSINESS PLAN

FRAN'S ICE

Davis Plaza Regional Mall 19 Orchard Avenue Davis, CA 95616

January 1996

This business plan details a franchise ice cream shop located in a California shopping center. Fran's Ice anticipates continued success due to its superb location, diverse menu, and well-known quality product

  • TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Executive summary.

  • DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS OBJECTIVES

COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

Development timetable, principals' profiles, financial information.

The purpose of this business plan is to outline the parameters under which the principals will pursue the construction, development and operation of a franchised Fran's Ice Cream Shoppe in a key location at the mall entrance to the food court of Davis Plaza, a successful, dominant, super regional shopping center in metropolitan Woodland - Sacramento.

Davis Plaza's management company, Martin Richardson and the franchisor, the Fran's Ice Shoppe Company, Inc., are optimistic and enthusiastic about locating a high-volume shop within Davis Plaza.

Martin Richardson, The Fran's Ice Shoppe Company, Inc., and the franchisees, Augustus and Cheryl Dwyer, are all confident that this Fran's shop will be successful among the other national stores already committed to doing business in Davis Plaza.

The Fran's Ice Shoppe of Davis (franchisee), will construct, develop and operate a licensed franchised ice cream dipping shop of The Fran's Ice Shoppe Company, Inc. (franchisor). This single retail dipping shop will sell Fran's ice cream and related products, all manufactured by the franchisor under its name.

Revenue will be primarily from the sale of hand-dipped ice cream and related products consumed within Davis Plaza. Franchisees will also sell ice cream cakes, traditional gourmet cakes, birthday cakes and Cola products. Sales are anticipated to be $360,000 in the first year and to increase at an average annual rate of 4% per year in the first five years of operation.

The franchise will be located in Davis Plaza in Davis, California. Because of its location in the center of the Woodland - Sacramento areas, Davis Plaza serves many communities and is commonly considered the Tri-Cities' premier retail facility. Davis Plaza, which opened in 1968, is a two-level, enclosed regional shopping center containing a total of 1.2 million square feet and 200 stores, shops and food service establishments. The Plaza is anchored by Hank's, B.P.'s, and Westbury's. Fran's Ice Shoppe of Davis will be located in "The Outdoorum" which is Davis Plaza's 40,000 square foot food court containing 17 food service establishments including Cheese Pleese, Beefeaters, and Sweet Dreams.

Franchisee's primary customers will be drawn from Davis Plaza's 1994 trade area population of over 853,000 people, which is projected to reach 940,000 people by 1999. Customers shopping The Plaza will purchase Fran's handdipped ice cream and other products on an impulse basis during their shopping trip, or as a dessert treat upon completing a meal at The Outdoorum. Franchisee also anticipates that many patrons will make the shop their primary destination due to name recognition and product quality. Except for a small Earl's Ice Cream Shop and a Frozen Treat selling soft serve vanilla only, there is no other competition within Davis Plaza, and no outside competition within 2 miles of The Plaza.

The principals will be managing their own shop. Augustus Dwyer will be the hands-on manager for daily operations. Cheryl Dwyer will retain her present position as a nurse clinician for J. Landers, but will assist with her employee management and accounting skills. In addition, approximately six to ten school and/or college students will be hired to work shifts during peak sales periods. Other part-time employees may be hired on an "as needed" basis for special projects such as cake decorating, preparing large orders for caterers and servicing of other special functions.

Project costs are projected to be $250,000 which includes leasehold improvements (build out of the shop), equipment purchases, opening inventory, and working capital needs. This amount does not include the $35,000 franchise fee, $3500 Fran's grand opening contribution, or $7870 cost of architect's plans for the store which Gus and Cheryl Dwyer have already invested in this business from their own funds. The principals are seeking to finance the remainder of this project through a local lending institution using the assistance of a Small Business Administration (SBA) guarantee, with an agreement that allows for loan repayment over 10 years.

Based on a preliminary timetable it is anticipated that the shop will be operational for business no later than April, 1, 1996.

Ice Cream Shop: Fran's Ice

Other Noteworthy Facts:

  • A 2.5 gallon tub of ice cream from Fran's costs $29.00 ($11.60 gal.)
  • From a 2.5 gallon tub come 724 oz. scoops which sell for from $1.50 to $l.95 a scoop. Therefore a tub will sell for $108 to $140.
  • Average ticket for a Fran's shop runs around $2.30.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS/OBJECTIVES

The Fran's Ice Shoppe of Montclair (Shoppe), will be a franchised operation of The Fran's Ice Shoppe Company, Inc. licensed to sell Fran's ice cream and related products. The Fran's name has been associated with the ice cream business since 1961. The Company manufactures a large and growing volume of Fran's products which it distributes through a variety of channels. The ice cream ordinarily is not sold for retail dipping except to franchised dipping shops.

The Franchisor is Connecticut Corporation, with principal offices in New Haven, C.T. The ultimate parent of the company is Drake PLC, a public corporation listed on the London Stock Exchange, via ownership of The Harley Company.

Franchisees have been granted a license to sell certain ice cream products under the Fran's name since 1977, although the franchisor has been conducting a business of the type operated by the franchisee since 1983. Affiliates of the franchisor are actively engaged in various other sectors of the food service industry, including fast service restaurants, theme restaurants, food service supply business, institutional and retail food production, distribution and sales and food commodity transactions.

The main items for sale will be hand dipped ice cream and yogurt cups/cones, sundaes finished with a variety of toppings such as hot fudge, caramel, butterscotch or fruit, banana splits shakes malts, and ice cream sodas and floats. Most of these items will be consumed immediately on the premises. Davis Plaza provides extensive indoor seating for the food court customers.

In addition to hand-dipped ice cream sales, the Shoppe anticipates doing a material business in the sale of both ice cream cakes and gourmet traditional cakes and birthday cakes. These cakes will be displayed for immediate sale at all times during business hours and can also be produced in quantity on a special order basis for caterers and parties. Phenomenal foot traffic in the plaza and employees from the 200 shops in the mall can support a lucrative cake business for the Shoppe.

The goals and objectives of The Fran's Ice Shoppe of Davis are as follows:

"To deliver a quality product in a consistent, courteous and timely manner in order to have the customer return again for another satisfying, flavorsome treat, while at the same time earning a reasonable return on the initial investment"

The principals believe that for an organization to be successful, the organization must ensure that the customer continues to return to purchase the product, again and again. One way to ensure repeat business is to provide consistency in both the product and service. Fran's product speaks for itself; the service our Shoppe provides will be a function of training, evaluation, and retraining in order to deliver it courteously and in a timely manner.

In order to earn a reasonable return on the investment, along with the ability to repay debt, strict cost-control measures will be implemented. These measures will include, among others, proper and prudent purchasing practices, maximization of product distribution through strict adherence to weights, amounts and recipes (portion control), effective utilization of personnel, and the constant search for ways to reduce the cost of sales of our products without sacrificing quality and service.

In summary, the principals are committed to ensuring that this operation is successful.

The purchase of hand-dipped ice cream and related products is basically an impulse-type purchase by a consumer relating to one of the following stimuli:

  • Passing by the Shoppe on the way to another destination,
  • Visual contact with the Shoppe's signs,
  • Observing someone else consuming one of the Shoppe's products,
  • The final course (dessert) after a meal has been consumed elsewhere.

Locating the Shoppe in Davis Plaza gives the business the opportunity to take advantage of all of the above mentioned ways which motivate the consumer to purchase the products offered.

Passing by on the Way to Another Destination

Davis Plaza is comprised of the best known, nationally recognized retail stores and outlets. The unique blend of these operations draws a large cross section of the population to the Plaza to shop for a variety of goods and services. The Fran's Ice Shoppe of Davis will be a 556 square foot store located at the entrance to the food court of the mall. It is on the second level, right across from the main escalators carrying shoppers from the lower to the second level. It is between the main parking structure and B.P.'s, requiring all B.P.'s patrons entering from the main parking structure to pass directly in from of the Shoppe on their way to B.P.'s. The Shoppe is well within walking distance from anywhere in Davis Plaza in five minutes or less. Because of its location, many patrons of the Plaza will pass by the Shoppe on the way to and from another store, making it convenient for an impulse purchase.

Visual Contact from the Shoppe's Sign

Signage is planned for the Shoppe in two locations. Large, colorful neon signs will be located over the dipping cabinets, making them visible from both the food court and from down the mall. Since the Shoppe will be in a corner location, the Shoppe will be visible from several directions in the "I" shaped mall. There is also an opening to below directly in front of the Shoppe, allowing visibility to patrons on the lower level. The location for the Shoppe has the greatest amount of foot traffic in front of it than any other food service in Davis Plaza.

Observing Someone Else Consuming One of the Products

As previously mentioned, the Shop's products more than likely will be consumed on or nearby the premises. The fact that Davis Plaza is enclosed and self-contained will make Fran's products very visible to many shoppers, particularly since all products will be served in containers that display the Fran's logo.

The Final Course (Dessert) After a Meal has been Consumed Elsewhere

In addition to the tremendous foot traffic generated by the major department stores and numerous nationally renowned shops surrounding The Fran's Ice Shoppe of Davis, the Shoppe is to be located at die entrance to The Outdoorum, the Plaza's food court. The food court houses 17 places to eat. The Shoppe can be seen from anywhere in the food court, making it a likely destination for a dessert treat following a meal for the entire family. The Shoppe will have two 3-foot wide, 4-shelf display cases for cakes. One 3-foot display will be for frozen ice cream cakes, and the other will be refrigerated for display of traditional gourmet cakes and gourmet birthday cakes. The principals believe that tremendous potential exists for the sale of birthday cakes in the Plaza since many gifts are purchased there and no competition exists for these items in the Plaza.

An additional marketing strategy of the Shoppe will be sales generated from freezer carts bearing the Fran's logo and colors off site from Davis Plaza. There are many fairs, festivals and parties within the Shoppe's geographic service area (including the Sacramento County Fair, and Renaissance Days) where significant additional sales may be generated on ice cream bars and other novelties. Most importantly, these outside sales will give the Shoppe name recognition which will help make it a primary destination for an expanded segment of the market.

Additional methods of enhancing the Shoppe's name recognition will be local newspaper advertising with coupons, special promotions and discounts to employees of Davis Plaza, companion promotions and discounts with other merchants in the Plaza, and offers to local schools for discounts to students with good grades.

Lastly, additional sales revenue and name recognition for the Shoppe will be generated by sponsoring sports, social, educational and fund-raising activities within the communities served by Davis Plaza. The principals have numerous fund-raising idea and plans for community involvement that will help make the Shoppe a money-maker.

The primary competitors of The Fran's Ice Shoppe of Davis are within the Davis Plaza itself. The principals have done a detailed analysis of the existing ice cream and yogurt shops outside Davis Plaza, and this study is available upon request. The principals believe that the two ice cream and yogurt related businesses inside Davis Plaza are the Shoppe's main competition. They are:

Frozen Treat

Located across The Outdoorum from the Shoppe. Frozen Treat does not serve real ice cream at all. They serve only one flavor of soft serve, vanilla. They make cones, cups, sundaes and shakes and, according to Davis Plaza management, enjoyed $550,000 in sales volume in 1994 and approximately the same sales volume in 1995.

Earl's Ice Cream and Yogurt

Located in the Westbury wing of Davis Plaza. This is a small shop with extremely limited visibility. It is not located in The Outdoorum but is on the outskirts of the heavy traffic area of the Plaza. Earl's serves 24 flavors of real ice cream and 2 flavors of frozen yogurt. No cakes are offered for sale. According to Davis Plaza management Earl's enjoyed $303,000 in sales volume in 1994 and approximately the same sales volume in 1995.

The principals believe that there is outstanding potential for the sale of Fran's super premium quality ice cream, yogurt and related products in Davis Plaza. As just noted, in 1994 and 1995 the sales volume generated for ice cream, frozen yogurt and soft serve in Montclair Plaza was $852,000. The Fran's Ice Shoppe of Davis will be located in the most visible food service location in Davis Plaza. The principals feel that Frozen Treat will not hinder the Shoppe's sales because Frozen Treat serves only average quality soft serve vanilla products. The Shoppe will have 32 flavors of the finest quality ice cream and 6 flavors of frozen yogurt and sorbet ready for sale at all times…as well as ice cream cakes, birthday cakes, gourmet traditional cakes by the slice or whole, and shakes, malts, sundaes, ice cream bars, frozen yogurt and sorbet bars, and sodas.

Other ice cream and frozen yogurt stores exist within a three-mile radius of Davis Plaza. There are four small independent stores and three Scoops stores in this three-mile circle. The closest independent to the Plaza is approximately 2 miles away. As stated previously the principals strongly believe that the Shop's main and most important competitors are inside Davis Plaza. The principals also firmly believe that the quality and selection of Fran's products they will offer, coupled with a superior location within the Davis Plaza, will help them achieve the success they anticipate and will work toward. The principals are also actively engaged in negotiations with the landlord to exclude any new competition from The Plaza during the term of their lease.

The principals, themselves, will manage this business. Augustus Dwyer will be the hands-on manager for the daily operation of the Shoppe, assisted by Cheryl Dwyer. Gus Dwyer shall have the following responsibilities and perform the following duties:

  • Oversee the design, development and construction of the Shoppe
  • Collect competitive bids for the build out of the Shoppe and for the equipment needed for the Shoppe. Select contractors and equipment suppliers to complete the Shoppe.
  • Seek and obtain the necessary financing for this project.
  • Attend and successfully complete Fran's Ice Basic Management Training Course # 318 at The Fran's Ice Shoppe Company, Inc. corporate offices in New Haven Connecticut. This is an eleven day training course which will prepare Gus to successfully operate a Fran's ice cream shop. Gus is registered to attend this course from 1 -16-96 to 1 -26-96.
  • Plan, coordinate and execute merchandising and promotion of the Shoppe, including Grand Opening activities, and a year round calendar of holidays, special events and numerous other promotional activities.
  • Prepare all products to be sold, sourcing the most cost effective suppliers on goods not purchased from Fran's directly. Maintain adequate levels of inventory, while maximizing inventory turns and losing no sales due to out-of-stocks.
  • Ensure that standards of product quality control and shop cleanliness required by the franchisor are maintained on a daily basis.
  • Recruit, select, interview and hire all Shoppe personnel.
  • Perform orientation, training and re-training of all Shoppe personnel.
  • Perform all required accounting functions for the Shoppe.
  • Personally make a commitment to give 100% best effort and a personal full-time commitment to operating the Shoppe to its greatest potential. Gus will demonstrate the leadership necessary to operate the Shoppe successfully on a daily basis, and to ensure an acceptable return on the initial investment and repayment of debt.

The principals will designate certain properly trained personnel who will coordinate the activities of the other employees during periods when Augustus Dwyer is not on the premises. Those employees will be trained to make prudent decisions in the absence of Gus Dwyer and to carry out the duties of the Manager on an as-needed basis. In the event of an emergency, the principals can be contacted by phone or paged by remote pager and be on-site within 15 minutes.

Six to eight high school and/or college students will be hired to work at the Shoppe on a part-time basis. There will be no full-time employees of the Shoppe other than management.

The principals are developing a program of orientation and training which all Shoppe employees must complete prior to starting work. A written policies and procedures manual will be the foundation for that that training. All Shoppe employees will be trained to perform all customer service, quality control, and cleanliness and sanitation procedures utilized by the Shoppe, and will know exactly what is expected of them as a Fran's Ice Shoppe employee.

The principals have worked for many different supervisors in their 37 years of combined work experience, and have seen many different management techniques and styles. Augustus Dwyer has extensive management experience in both retail and wholesale sales and customer service. Cheryl Dwyer brings to Fran's a wealth of experience as house supervisor in a 205 bed J. Landers Hospital, supervising 60 or more nurses at a time. The combined management experience which the principals have will be an asset to them in training and managing a productive team of Shoppe employees.

The proposed timetable for the project is as follows:

Ice Cream Shop: Fran's Ice

Augustus Herman Dwyer

A strong, responsible businessman and manager, Augustus Dwyer has over 21 years experience in retailing, wholesaling and customer service Gus' roots are in the grocery industry, where he was employed for 14 years. The first 5 years Gus spent working at store level as a box boy, grocery clerk, produce clerk, and produce department manager. He was elevated by Division Corporate Personnel who felt that his talents would be best utilized at the division level and promoted to Division Produce and Floral Buyer.

During this 9 year period, Gus' hands-on approach to his work greatly benefitted his company. Gus planned, researched and implemented a program of fresh fruit, soup and salad bars for the company and personally assisted in the set-up of 41 new salad bars divisionwide.

Gus was also responsible for planning the division's floral program and purchased cut flowers and plants for 110 stores for 4 years.

Utilizing his knowledge and experience in the floral trade, Gus now works as National Sales Manager for a flower wholesaling company in San Francisco. He has an outstanding record in high volume sales and increasing sales revenues. He has expanded the customer base, sourced new suppliers, and increased the variety of product his company sells, resulting in a 30% increase in sales since coming on board with the company.

Gus' strengths include the ability to plan, organize, achieve results quickly, and evaluate and implement winning marketing strategies. He has significant influence with other employees and positively motivates his subordinated and peers. He is an experienced buyer, merchandiser, salesman, and customer satisfaction specialist.

Cheryl Lynn Dwyer

An experienced nurse manager, Cheryl's nursing background involves a total of 10 years as a Registered Nurse, all employed with J. Landers. Seven of the years have been dedicated towards the Management Of Medical-Surgical And Maternal Child Health Nursing Services. Accountabilities include yearly performance evaluations of approximately 45 employees and the general supervision of J. Landers Florin on the evening shift of the entire hospital, which averages 120 employees. All problems unresolved are directed to her for her successful resolution and followup.

Cheryl is responsible for the successful planning and implementation of the Medical-Surgical Department Quality Management Program, which encompasses directing nurses in data collection, action plans and evaluation on a monthly basis. She has completed a 12 week, total quality management course and participated in two task forces utilizing Total Quality Management (TQM).

Cheryl's strengths include effective organization and leadership abilities and extensive interpersonal skills. Cheryl has seven years experience hiring successful employees, coaching, counseling and motivating them to deliver the best nursing care to J. Landers members.

Note: Please see attached career/work histories of Augustus and Cheryl for details.

Sales Break-Even Point

A common question business owners have when considering new business opportunities is this: "How much do I have to sell just to break even?" In other words, "How much revenue do I need to pay all my expenses?"

The question is not as difficult to answer as it might seem. Only three pieces of information is needed to make the calculation.

  • The average price of whatever you sell.
  • The average cost of whatever you sell.
  • The total fixed costs your have to pay no matter what you sell.

Ice Cream Shop: Fran's Ice

or to state it another way…

Ice Cream Shop: Fran's Ice

In the case of The Fran's Ice Shoppe of Davis the Sales break-even is computed as follows:

Ice Cream Shop: Fran's Ice

Summary of Build-Out and Start-Up Costs

Ice Cream Shop: Fran's Ice

  • Principal reduction on the SBA loan (in the amount of approx. $24,000 is not shown as an expense on the Inc. & Exp. Statement.
  • Payroll expenses are listed under "Labor" under cost of goods sold.

Ice Cream Shop: Fran's Ice

Proforma Balance Sheet

Ice Cream Shop: Fran's Ice

Proforma Statements

Ice Cream Shop: Fran's Ice

Financial Summary

Ice Cream Shop: Fran's Ice

Equipment Schedule

Ice Cream Shop: Fran's Ice

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COMMENTS

  1. Executive Summary of an Ice Cream Shop: Template & Example

    An ice cream shop business plan needs a straightforward executive summary. This part of your plan is the first thing investors and partners see, and it should clearly outline what your ice cream shop is all about. It's where you explain what makes your ice cream shop different and worth investing in.

  2. Ice Cream Business Plan Executive Summary

    Create a killer ice cream shop business plan with these tips on writing an executive summary.

  3. Ice Cream Business Plan Sample

    Executive Summary Kevin D (owner), of the Ice Cream Shop, this single retail store will sell the ice creams and related products, all of which will be made by the owner under its own name. Proceeds will be primarily from the sale of ice cream and related products consumed within the Davis Plaza.

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  5. Free Ice Cream Shop Sample Business Plan PDF + How to Write

    1. Executive Summary The executive summary gives a broad overview of your plan. It should outline your goals for the shop, whether it's to enter a new market, separate yourself from competitors with innovative ice cream flavors, or expand your customer base. The executive summary should clearly articulate the ice cream shop's mission.

  6. Ice Cream Shop Business Plan (How to Write & Template)

    Step 1: Gather Essential Information Before embarking on the creation of an ice cream business plan, take the time to consider crucial details by addressing the following inquiries: What sets your ice cream shop apart - what's the unique concept or theme? Who is your target audience for the ice cream shop business, and what are their preferences?

  7. Ice Cream Shop Business Plan Template (2024)

    Executive Summary Business Overview Frostee Delights Shop is a startup ice cream company located in Nashville, Tennessee. The shop is founded by Janice Maynor, who has experience in operating an ice cream shop.

  8. Ice Cream Shop Business Plan Template

    Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan. The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of ice cream shop business you are operating and the status.

  9. How to write an ice cream shop business plan

    Key Takeaways Create an interesting executive summary that highlights your goals, marketing plan, and team expertise to draw potential investors. Conduct thorough market research and competitive analysis to better understand industry trends and customer needs.

  10. How to Write Your Ice Cream Shop's Operations Plan

    Writing your ice cream shop's operations plan requires you to be a bit of a storyteller. Adding color to your ice cream shop's executive summary paints a complete and intriguing picture for potential investors of your day-to-day operations. Here are writing tips to help you make the details of your ice cream shop's operations plan an ...

  11. Ice Cream Shop: get a solid business plan (example)

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  14. Ice Cream Shop Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

    I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan You can download our Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here. Pages : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next Article

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    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Fran's Ice Shoppe of Davis (franchisee), will construct, develop and operate a licensed franchised ice cream dipping shop of The Fran's Ice Shoppe Company, Inc. (franchisor). This single retail dipping shop will sell Fran's ice cream and related products, all manufactured by the franchisor under its name.

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