| | Information on Starting an Ice Cream Store
The most important choice you have to make when opening an ice cream
shop is
whether or not to do it. Our $99 "starter pack" was designed to meet the needs of people who
are in the "idea" stage. You can later upgrade (for $125)to the full package if you desire. This option will answer most of your basic questions
and bring an element
of reality into play. For $99, you get an e-mail with important
information that you need to know in order to take the next steps in making your
venture a reality. You will also be able to e-mail us questions regarding your
specific situation. We will give you an e-mail address that is reserved only for
those who have paid for this package. All questions should be limited to issues
raised in the planning stages of the parlor, and not ones specifically
associated with the actual equipment needed, the proposed layout, shake
formulas, employee training, etc. These questions are answered in the full package. We do not profess to "know it all" but feel confident
that this $99 will be one of the wiser investments you make. It will basically
act as a measuring stick on whether your idea is a good one or not and give you
a little more peace of mind that you are moving in the right direction. It will
help you avoid costly mistakes. Isn't it
wise to get an opinion from someone who knows before you make a serious
investment? $99 is a small price to pay to find out if it is a viable idea or
not. If it's a good idea, great you
move forward. If not, you just saved yourself a lot of grief and money. You
can be certain that we will answer all questions to the best of our ability and
be honest about your chances of success.
There is no limit on the number of questions you ask. Below are some of the
topics that will be covered in the informational e-mail and will help you generate a list of
questions specific to your situation:
- E-mail question and answer support - and yes,
we answer our e-mail's quickly. We also provide a special e-mail address for
those who have paid for Q&A support. This Q&A support includes help with
your business plan.
- How to Open an Ice Cream Parlor (30 page MS
Word document)
- Starter Pack Summary (12 page MS Word document with key tips and common pitfalls to
avoid)
- An actual, professionally constructed quote
(updated pricing included) that shows all equipment necessary to open a
"full on" nationally branded franchise parlor. This document is extremely helpful
in providing you with a solid understanding of what you may want in your
shop (.pdf file).
- Eight different professionally designed sample
store layouts (.pdf files)
- Help with Location/Site Selection Analysis: Traffic
patterns, area demographics, etc.
- Lease Rates - How much is too much? How much rent should you be paying as
a % of forecasted sales? How you can negotiate this important aspect of a
start-up.
- Little known strategies that will help you get the most out of your
ice cream suppliers. Can they
do better? We will let you know if the volume you are/will be purchasing warrants a
better price.
- Tricks to help increase traffic, build repeat business. When to
promote.
- Help with your customized business plan
- Flavor placement: YES, it matters where you put certain flavors - here's
why.
- 4 secrets you NEED TO KNOW before you buying a used soft
serve machine. New ones are expensive and many times it makes sense to go
used, but you need to know what to "look out" for.
- Menu Development
- Pricing strategies that will add to your bottom line
- Basics on employee training.
- Proper scooping techniques. This is one of the most important aspects of
the business which most people seem to miss.
- Keep your customers coming back.
- Hand Packing Pints, Quarts for take-home. Is this a good
idea or is it better to sell pre-packed product?
- Should you have novelties (stick bars, etc.) in your store,
or will this cannibalize sales of the more profitable scoop product?
- Should you sell by scoop or by weight?
- How many scoops do you REALLY get out of a 3 gallon tub?
- Can you expect your supplier to pay if your ice cream melts
down because of a freezer problem or power outages?
- Deals that seem great on the surface but really aren't.
- What you can expect a supplier to help you with before you
open
- and a ton more....
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