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Ice Cream Shop Business Plan PDF Example

• February 28, 2024
• Business Plan

Creating a comprehensive business plan is crucial for launching and running a successful ice cream shop. This plan serves as your roadmap, detailing your vision, operational strategies, and financial plan. It helps establish your ice cream shop’s identity, navigate the competitive market, and secure funding for growth.

This article not only breaks down the critical components of an ice cream shop business plan, but also provides an example of a business plan to help you craft your own.

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or new to the food&beverage industry, this guide, complete with a business plan example, lays the groundwork for turning your ice cream shop concept into reality. Let’s dive in!

Our ice cream shop business plan is tailored to cover all essential aspects for a well-rounded strategy. It details the shop’s operations, marketing initiatives, market environment, competitors, leadership structure, and financial projections.

• Executive Summary : A quick overview of your Ice Cream Shop’s idea, market potential, the team behind it, and financial strategy.
• Ice Cream Shop & Location: Describes the shop’s design and prime location for attracting ice cream lovers.
• Supply & Operations: Explains the supply chain, ice cream-making process, and day-to-day operations.
• Key Stats: Presents the size and growth of the ice cream market.
• Key Trends: Points out trends like artisanal flavors and health-conscious options.
• Key Competitors : Identifies competitors and what makes your shop unique.
• SWOT: Brief strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis.
• Marketing Plan : Short strategies for getting and keeping customers.
• Timeline : Major milestones from start-up to the first year’s end.
• Management: Gives info on the team running the shop and their responsibilities.
• Financial Plan: Forecasts finances over 5 years, covering income, expenses, and profits.

Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

Fully editable 30+ slides Powerpoint presentation business plan template.

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Executive Summary

The Executive Summary introduces your ice cream shop’s business plan, providing a succinct overview of your shop and its offerings. It should describe your market positioning, the variety of ice cream flavors and related products you offer, its location, size, and a summary of daily operations. 

This section should also discuss how your ice cream shop will fit into the local community, including the number of direct competitors in the vicinity, identifying who they are, along with your shop’s unique selling points that set it apart from these competitors. 

Additionally, it should include information about the management and co-founding team, outlining their roles and contributions to the shop’s success. Furthermore, a summary of your financial projections, including revenue and profits over the next five years, should be included here to offer a comprehensive view of your ice cream shop’s financial strategy.

Make sure to cover here _ Business Overview _ Market Overview _ Management Team _ Financial Plan

Dive deeper into Executive Summary

Business Overview

For an Ice Cream Shop, the Business Overview section can be succinctly divided into 2 main parts:

Ice Cream Shop & Location

Briefly describe the ice cream shop’s physical setting, emphasizing its design, ambiance, and the welcoming atmosphere it creates for customers. Mention the shop’s location, highlighting its accessibility and convenience for customers, such as its proximity to popular community spots or ease of parking. Explain why this location is beneficial for attracting your target clientele.

Supply & Operations

Detail the variety of ice cream flavors and related products offered, from classic favorites to unique, artisanal creations. Outline your sourcing strategy, ensuring it reflects a commitment to quality and, where possible, local sourcing.

Explain your operations, including how ice cream is stored, served, and the measures in place to maintain the highest standards of hygiene and customer satisfaction. Highlight any special offerings, seasonal flavors, or loyalty programs that provide added value to your customers, encouraging repeat visits and customer loyalty.

Make sure to cover here _ Ice Cream Shop & Location _ Supply & Operations

Market Overview

Industry size & growth.

In the Market Overview of your ice cream shop business plan, start by examining the size of the ice cream industry and its growth potential. This analysis is crucial for understanding the market’s breadth and identifying opportunities for expansion.

Key market trends

Proceed to discuss recent market trends , such as the increasing consumer interest in artisanal and gourmet ice cream, the demand for a wide range of flavors including exotic and locally inspired ones, and the growing popularity of health-conscious options like dairy-free and low-sugar ice creams.

For example, highlight the trend towards customization and personalization in ice cream servings, as well as the incorporation of organic and sustainable ingredients.

Key competitors

Then, evaluate the competitive landscape, which includes a variety of ice cream shops from high-end artisanal boutiques to budget-friendly chains, as well as the presence of supermarket ice cream brands and mobile ice cream vendors.

For example, emphasize what makes your ice cream shop stand out, whether it’s through exceptional customer experiences, a unique and diverse flavor selection, or a commitment to sustainability and community involvement.

Make sure to cover here _ Industry size & growth _ Key market trends _ Key competitors

Dive deeper into Key competitors

First, conduct a SWOT analysis for the ice cream shop , highlighting Strengths (such as unique flavor offerings and a prime location), Weaknesses (including seasonal fluctuations in demand or limited indoor seating), Opportunities (for example, a growing interest in artisanal and gourmet ice cream), and Threats (such as new competitors entering the market or changes in health trends that may impact ice cream consumption).

Marketing Plan

Next, develop a marketing strategy that outlines how to attract and retain customers through innovative flavor launches, special promotions, an engaging online presence, and participation in local events and festivals.

Finally, create a detailed timeline that outlines key milestones for the ice cream shop’s opening, marketing initiatives, customer base development, and potential expansion plans, ensuring the business progresses with clear goals and strategic direction.

Make sure to cover here _ SWOT _ Marketing Plan _ Timeline

Dive deeper into SWOT

Dive deeper into Marketing Plan

The Management section focuses on the ice cream shop’s management and their direct roles in daily operations and strategic direction. This part is crucial for understanding who is responsible for making key decisions and driving the ice cream shop towards its financial and operational goals.

For your ice cream shop business plan, list the core team members, their specific responsibilities, and how their expertise supports the business.

Financial Plan

The Financial Plan section is a comprehensive analysis of your financial projections for revenue, expenses, and profitability. It lays out your ice cream shop’s approach to securing funding, managing cash flow, and achieving breakeven.

This section typically includes detailed forecasts for the first 5 years of operation, highlighting expected revenue, operating costs and capital expenditures.

For your ice cream shop business plan, provide a snapshot of your financial statement (profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow statement), as well as your key assumptions (e.g. number of customers and prices, expenses, etc.).

Make sure to cover here _ Profit and Loss _ Cash Flow Statement _ Balance Sheet _ Use of Funds

Privacy Overview

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

Elon Glucklich

6 min. read

Updated February 16, 2024

Download: Free one-page ice cream shop sample business plan

With the global ice cream market projected to grow by over 40% by the end of the decade, now is a great time for entrepreneurial dessert enthusiasts to enter the ice cream business.

But running any kind of business requires careful planning. You’ll need to consider your location and the preferences of customers in your area, and understand what direct and indirect competitors are offering.

Are you writing a business plan for your ice cream shop because you’re seeking a loan? Or, is your primary concern building a clear roadmap for growth? Either way, remember that no two ice cream shops are exactly alike. Your business model will be different if you’re making your own ice cream or selling scoops from big manufacturers. So take the time to do some market research and create your own financial forecasts to give you a blueprint for sustained growth. That’s the benefit a business plan provides.

• What should you include in an ice cream shop business plan?

Your ice cream shop business plan doesn’t need to be hundreds of pages — keep it as short and concise as you can. You’ll probably want to include each of these sections:

• Executive summary
• Company overview
• Market analysis
• Marketing and sales strategy 
• Operations Plan
• Financial plan

One of the things that makes an ice cream shop business plan different from some food and beverage business plans is that your business might be more affected by seasonal downturns. 

You also have to account for consumers’ growing preference for dairy-free alternatives. If you’re trying to reach a health-conscious market, make sure to keep an eye on market trends, and include your ideas for offering dairy alternatives on your menu.

Here’s an example of an ice cream shop business plan outline.

• The 7 elements of an effective ice cream shop business plan

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. Maybe it’s to deliver locally sourced and organic ingredients. Or it could be to establish a new community gathering space for families. Whatever it is, you should carve out some space in the 1-2 page executive summary section so that readers understand the “why” of your business right away.

Lay out what the keys to success are for your ice cream shop. It could be finding a location with high visibility and foot traffic, a team that delivers exceptional customer service, a unique product line, or a combination of these factors.

2. Company description

The Company Description section should give readers deeper insight into the operations and structure of your ice cream shop. It expands on the brief overview provided in the executive summary, offering more information about your ice cream shop’s unique value proposition. 

If you have an existing business, briefly share its history, highlighting any milestones you’ve achieved, like reaching certain sales goals or employee counts.

If you’re a new business, start by discussing the rationale behind your business name and location. Then, go into more detail about your concept. Describe if you’re focusing on traditional flavors, gourmet or artisan options, or a niche market like vegan or dairy-free alternatives. Detail offerings like coffee or baked goods and snacks that might support your main product line.

It’s also important to detail the ownership and legal structure of your business, like if you’re a sole proprietorship, a limited liability company, partnership, or more formal corporate structure.

Finally, you can go into more detail about the goals for your business that you touched on in your executive summary. These could be sales targets, expansion plans — whatever you hope to achieve. Explain how you plan to measure success toward your goals, and your projected timeframe for meeting them.

3. Market analysis

Separating yourself from competitors requires a strong understanding of your business opportunity. The market analysis section is where you document the size of your market and your competitors.

This is where you hone in on the demographics and preferences of your target market, as well as trends in the ice cream industry that could impact your sales. Whether you plan to target health-conscious college students, families with young children, or another segment, explain in your plan why this focus is justified, and back it up with research.

You’ll also need to research your target market’s other dessert options, whether it’s direct competitors like other ice cream shops, or indirect competitors like grocery stores.  

4. Marketing and sales strategy

The marketing and sales strategy takes the research from your market analysis, and turns it into an actionable plan to get more customers in the door.

Advertising online or in local publications can help spread awareness of your business. Participating in community events is another way to connect with potential customers. Digitally savvy business owners also leverage their website and social media accounts as low-cost ways to reach customers wherever they are.

You should also consider if discounts or special offers for repeat customers will encourage enough loyalty to justify the lower sales price. Just make sure that these initiatives are tailored to your target market. Effective marketing is about utilizing tactics that work, and scrapping ones that don’t provide any return. So be sure to establish key performance indicators to track the effectiveness of your marketing strategy.

5. Operations plan

The operations section details how you’ll run your business efficiently from day to day. All of the logistics you’ll need to manage to avoid wasteful spending — production processes, supplier relationships, staffing, inventory and technology — are documented here.

Outline how you plan to source ingredients and materials you’ll be ordering regularly, and identify your key suppliers. You should also give details about the building size and layout of your business, and any renovations required if you’re starting out or expanding.

List your staffing needs, including key roles and responsibilities. If you’re writing your business plan for a bank loan or investment, be sure to include your plan for managing inventory and reducing waste, since they’ll be especially concerned about if you’ll use their funds wisely.

6. Financial plan

Your financial plan should include financial projections for your business, including your sales , expenses , and profitability . Include a cash flow statement , income statement , and balance sheet .

Also, outline your pricing strategy and compare your prices to competitors. Examine your wage costs and consider how they will affect your profitability.

As you compare your financial projections to your actual results over time, you’ll see where you need to make strategic adjustments to reach your goal, or if you need to revise your target. 

7. Appendix

The appendix is where you add any additional documents that support your business plan. This could include market research and survey data, lease agreements, employee contracts, or licensing and permit documents.

An appendix isn’t always necessary, but it can provide valuable context and proof to support your business plan’s content.

• Download your free ice cream shop one page sample business plan

Download this ice cream shop sample business plan for free right now, or visit Bplans’ gallery of more than 550 sample business plans if you’re looking for more options.

There are plenty of reasons ice cream shop owners can benefit from writing a business plan —you’ll need one if you’re seeking a loan or investment.

Even if you’re not seeking funding, the process of thinking through every aspect of your business will help you make sure you’re not overlooking anything critical as you grow.

See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

Elon is a marketing specialist at Palo Alto Software, working with consultants, accountants, business instructors and others who use LivePlan at scale. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Oregon.

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Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

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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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:

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.

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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.

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.

This expertly crafted template is designed with ice cream businesses in mind. With a step-by-step guide and example, this template assists you in simplifying your planning process and directs you with each crucial step.

Import data into your editor and start writing an ice cream shop business plan.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

Write Your Business Plan in Minutes with AI

Now, it’s time to craft a blueprint to turn your vision of owning an ice cream shop into reality. Launch your ice cream shop business confidently with the power of Upmetrics AI assistant .

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur or a newbie to the business world, our innovative tools and customized business plan templates empower you to write your business plan in minutes.

Don’t let the complexity of business planning hold you back. Grab the opportunity and create a pathway for your sweet venture with Upmetrics!

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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

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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Ice Cream Shop Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

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 Shop 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 Business Plan for an Ice Cream Shop

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.  

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

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.

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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Scoop Savvy: Why Your Ice Cream Business Plan Needs a Market Analysis

Launching an ice cream business is a delectable endeavor filled with dreams of creamy concoctions and delighted customers. However, before diving headfirst into this frozen adventure, it's crucial to equip yourself with the right tools for success. At the core of your business plan lies a critical component: the market analysis. Let's explore why conducting a thorough market analysis is the scoop of wisdom your ice cream business plan needs.

1. Understanding Your Audience

Every successful ice cream business begins with a deep understanding of its target market. Who are your ideal customers? What are their preferences, tastes, and buying habits? By conducting a market analysis, you can gather valuable insights into the demographics, psychographics, and behaviors of your target audience. Whether it's families seeking a sweet treat on a sunny day or health-conscious individuals craving guilt-free indulgence, a comprehensive understanding of your audience allows you to tailor your offerings and marketing strategies for maximum impact.

2. Assessing Demand and Trends

The ice cream market is constantly evolving, with new flavors, formats, and trends emerging to tantalize taste buds. A market analysis enables you to stay ahead of the curve by identifying current and emerging trends in the industry. Are consumers gravitating towards artisanal, small-batch ice cream? Are they seeking out dairy-free or vegan options? By staying abreast of market trends and consumer preferences, you can position your ice cream business to capitalize on opportunities and meet the evolving demands of your target audience.

3. Evaluating the Competitive Landscape

In the crowded landscape of the ice cream industry, competition is fierce. A thorough market analysis allows you to assess the competitive landscape, identify key players, and understand their strengths and weaknesses. Who are your direct competitors, and what sets them apart? What gaps exist in the market that your ice cream business can fill? By conducting a competitive analysis, you can uncover opportunities for differentiation and develop strategies to carve out your niche in the market.

4. Informing Pricing and Positioning Strategies

Pricing can make or break your ice cream business, and a market analysis is instrumental in determining the optimal pricing strategy. By examining pricing trends in the market and assessing consumer willingness to pay, you can set competitive yet profitable price points for your products. Additionally, a market analysis informs your positioning strategy, helping you communicate the value proposition of your ice cream business to your target audience. Whether you're positioning yourself as a premium indulgence or an affordable everyday treat, understanding market dynamics is essential for success.

In the flavorful world of ice cream entrepreneurship, a well-crafted business plan is your recipe for success, and a market analysis is the cherry on top. By understanding your audience, assessing demand and trends, evaluating the competitive landscape, and informing pricing and positioning strategies, a market analysis provides the insights and intelligence you need to make informed decisions and steer your ice cream business towards success. So, before you take the plunge into the world of frozen delights, ensure that your business plan is adorned with a comprehensive market analysis – the key ingredient to scooping success in the competitive ice cream market.

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How to Write an Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

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?

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.

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 Sell Ice Cream on the Street

How Do You Start Your Own Ice Cream Business?

Ice Cream Shop Profits: Uncovering the Path to Success

Opening an Ice Cream Shop: Essential Staffing Requirements to Consider

Initial Startup Costs for Opening an Ice Cream Shop

Start an Ice Cream Shop LLC Business

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Ice Cream Business Plan Sample

Feb.05, 2024

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Table of Content

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?

  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.

Business plan for 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:

• 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.

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.

excellent work

excellent work, competent advice. Alex is very friendly, great communication. 100% I recommend CGS capital. Thank you so much for your hard work!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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​

• Fill the Form to Download Business Plan Templates

To ensure your ice cream shop business success in this highly competitive market, you need a properly structured ice cream business plan. With over 12 years of experience, we have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs create business plans to start and grow their ice cream shop businesses. If this is your first time writing a business plan, we’ll walk you through these sections and give you some key things to consider.

Things to Know Before Writing an Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

Key success factors for ice cream shop business, need a professional business plan writer for your ice cream shop business, what is an ice cream shop business plan, why you need an ice cream shop business plan, funding sources for ice cream shop business, how to write an ice cream shop business plan, ice cream shop business plan pdf and word, executive summary, company analysis, looking for professional business plan writing services for your ice cream shop business, industry analysis, customer analysis, competitor analysis, marketing plan, operations plan, management team, financial plan, summary of the ice cream shop business plan, do you want to finish your ice cream shop business plan in less the one day, download our ice cream shop business plan template, get in touch, contact us today for a free consultation.

Ice Cream Store operators offer customers a range of frozen desserts, such as ice cream, gelato, and sorbet, as well as a range of toppings, such as crushed candy or syrups.

The revenue of ice cream store operators is expected to grow over the next 3 years.

Consumers are predicted to continue choosing healthier dessert options over ice cream and gelato over the 3 years to 2025, as per capita disposable income is expected to increase by 2.5%.

Additionally, industry operators will offer healthier options, leading consumers to spend more at industry establishments. Industry revenue is expected to grow an annualized 1.4% during the period to reach $5.4 billion.

This industry’s major products and services include

• frozen desserts
• Ice cream sold over the counter
• Iced beverages served at a counter
• Ice cream and beverages are served at a drive-through
• Ice cream and beverages served at walk-up windows, through delivery and others

Despite the challenges of the ice cream industry, We have identified five factors that can help you boost profitability, efficiency, and ultimately success.

Premium goods and services: Operators who sell premium and specialty ice cream often earn higher profits.

Supplies of key inputs: Ice cream does not have a long shelf life, and ice cream kept in a freezer for too long burns, so a steady supply is essential to maintain quality.

Access to the appropriate land/property: Some models of service, such as walk-up windows and drive-through windows, require specific types of properties.

Effective cost controls: It is critical for industry operators to keep input costs low if they wish to achieve higher profit margins. 

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The primary goal of this ice cream shop business plan is to outline the parameters under which the principals will continue to build, develop, and operate an ice cream shop in a prominent location.

A solid, comprehensive plan will serve as a road map for the next three to five years of the ice cream shop business. Any bank or investor you approach will require an ice cream shop business plan, so putting one together will be critical to securing funding.

In short, writing a business plan can help you succeed if you’re thinking of starting an ice cream shop business or pitching to investors or venture capitalists.

You can stay current with market trends by developing an ice cream shop business plan. In addition, it lets you track results over time, test lead generation strategies, and develop new marketing approaches.

Ice cream shop owners who have a business plan grow 30% faster than those who don’t, and 71% of fast-growing businesses have a business plan.

The following is what a good ice cream shop business plan will show you:

• Where you are right now
• What you want to achieve
• How will you get there
• How will you measure your success
• Where and when to make corrections

An ice cream shop business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

The main sources of funding for an ice cream shop business are personal savings, credit cards, microloan program, merchant cash advances and bank loans. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay the loan and interest.

To gain this confidence, the loan officer will not only look at your financials but they will also demand a professional business plan. A well-developed business plan will ensure that they are confident that you can successfully run a business.

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To write an ice cream shop business plan, you don’t need to be an expert. Our step-by-step guide will show you how to write an ice cream shop business plan, or you can just download our proven  sample business plans  to get a better idea.

Download our Ice Cream Shop business plan in PDF and Word here.

The executive summary is the most important part of the document since it outlines the whole business plan. Despite the fact that it appears first in the plan, write the executive summary last so you may condense key concepts from the other nine parts.

It’s a part that catches the investor’s eye and provides key information about your company’s overview and upcoming short- and long-term goals.

Tell them what kind of ice cream shop business you have and what stage you’re in; for example, are you a startup, do you have an ice cream shop company that you want to expand, or do you have a lot of ice cream shop businesses?

Finally, an executive summary should provide investors with a preview of what they may expect from the rest of your document.

• Provide a high-level overview of the ice cream shop industry
• The name, location, and mission of your ice cream shop company
• A description of your ice cream shop business, including management, advisors, and a brief history
• Discuss the type of ice cream shop business you are operating, Give an overview of your target customers, and how your company differs from competitors in the industry
• Create a marketing plan that describes your company’s marketing strategies, sales, and partnership plans.
• And give an overview of your financial plan

Check out these executive summary examples to help you write a perfect one for your ice cream shop business plan.

Free: Executive Summary Examples

An executive summary is the most important part of your business plan, and it need not be challenging to write. This is why we have put together some awesome free Executive Summary examples for you.

The company analysis follows the executive summary as the second section of an ice cream shop business plan. Your company overview will be short and clear, similar to the executive summary.

Even if they just have a few minutes, your reader has to understand what your company does and who your customers are.

The following sections will be included in your business plan’s Company Analysis:

• Company summary: Your company analysis will describe the type of ice cream shop business you are running and its future goals. The type of ice cream shop business you might be focused on ( Self serve ice cream shop, Ice cream truck and Gourmet ice cream shop etc)
• Company history: When and why did you start your ice cream shop business?
• What milestones have you achieved so far? Your milestones could include sales goals achieved, new store openings, etc.
• Legal structure and ownership: Do you have S-Corp status? Is it an LLC ? A sole proprietorship ? Describe your legal structure.
• Mission statement: An overview of your ice cream shop’s guiding principles. Learn how to write a perfect mission statement

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You need to include an overview of the ice cream shop business in the industry analysis you performed before sitting down to write your ice cream shop business plan.

While this research may appear to be unnecessary, it helps you to build strategies that maximize business opportunities while lowering or avoiding the identified risk.

Furthermore, market research can improve your strategy, especially if it identifies market trends. As an example, If there’s a trend toward ice cream flavor combo, it’s a good idea to make sure your plan includes plenty of ice cream flavor combos.

The third purpose for conducting market research is to demonstrate to readers that you are an industry expert.

Industry analysis can be presented as a 8-step process when written as part of a company’s business plan.

• Give a quick overview of the ice cream shop industry. Define the ice cream shop business in terms of size (in dollars), historical background, service region, and products.
• Examine previous trends and growth patterns in the ice cream shop industry.
• Identify the market’s major competitors.
• Age, gender, and general lifestyle of the targeted market
• Determine the factors that have an impact on the ice cream shop industry. These might include government regulatory rules and other businesses’ competitive activities.
• Using research data, the industry forecast expected growth over the next five to ten years. Predictions should be made for both the long and short term.
• Describe how your ice cream shop business intends to position itself in the industry. Concentrate on how your ice cream shop can benefit from opportunities highlighted in the industry.

The first condition for an ice cream shop business is to identify its target customers clearly. Customers can be categorized into the following segments: Students, Children, Parents, Restaurateurs, Teenagers, Families, 

The customer analysis section is an important part of any ice cream shop business plan since it evaluates the consumer segments that your company serves. It identifies target customers, determines what those customers want, and then explains how the products will meet those requirements.

Customer analysis may be divided into two parts: Psychosocial profiles and Demographic profiles .

With regards to demographics, include information about: the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of your customers. When targeting businesses, describe what kind of business, size, and location your target customers are.

The psychological profiles of your target clients reveal their wants and needs. The better you understand and identify these demands, the better your chances of attracting and retaining customers will be.

Free: Business Plan Examples

Do you need help creating a business plan? Check out these six free, proven business plan examples from different industries to help you write your own.

Who are the main competitors in your target market, and what makes them your main competition? How will you beat them? Use competitor analysis to:

• Identify the strength and weakness of your ice cream shop business competitors.
• Search for opportunities to distinguish your ice cream shop company from competitors.

The first step is to determine who your direct and indirect competitors are.

The direct competitors consists of other ice cream shop businesses. These are alternatives to direct competitors that customers have.

Customers have other options for purchasing from indirect competitors than direct competitors. Grocery stores, convenience stores, and ice cream vending machines or kiosks are examples of this. You must mention such competition to demonstrate that you recognize that not everyone who wants ice cream will go to an ice cream shop.

When it comes to direct competition, you should describe the other ice cream shop businesses you compete with. It is most likely that your direct competitors will be ice cream shops located nearby.

Once you’ve identified the competition, concentrate on the direct, head-to-head competitors, since they are the most threatening to your ice cream shop business— but keep an eye on the indirect competition as well, just in case.

Provide an overview of each direct competitor’s business and detail their strengths and weaknesses.

You will be able to position yourself competitively in the market if you perform proper competition research. Perform a SWOT Analysis to learn your competitors’ strengths, weaknesses, and competitive advantages in the following areas:

• Prices – Are they offer cheaper ice cream products or more costly than you and other competitors, what value do buyers get for that price?
• Quality – Are they offer better quality ice creams, the perceived worth in the eyes of the customers
• Customer service – How they respond to their consumers, whether they treat them poorly or well, and the degrees of satisfaction customers show
• Reputation — The sum of everything mentioned above: their credibility, how loved the brand is, and the loyalty of their customers

The final section of your competitive analysis should include a list of your areas of competitive advantage. for example: Are you going to offer premium ice creams? Will you offer unique ice cream products that your competitors don’t offer? Will you offer better pricing or will you offer greater customer support?

Consider how you will outperform your competitors and include them in this portion of your ice cream shop business plan.

Free: SWOT Analysis Examples

Take advantage of our free SWOT analysis examples. Make your business future-proof by identifying your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats using this free SWOT Analysis Template.

Creating a marketing plan for an ice cream shop business involves identifying the target demographic and finding ice cream products that suit their preferences.

As part of your marketing plan for an ice cream company, you should include:

Pricing and Product Strategy

Your ice cream shop business must offer ice cream’s flavor that are different from those of your competitors, better in quality and taste and affordable in price. Research what your competitors offer and how they price their ice creams products. Unique and quality products identifies your ice cream shop business as the place to go for unique ice cream products and differentiates it from others.

Placing and Promotions

Place refers to where you have your ice cream shop. Highlight how the location will affect your success. Where is your ice cream shop located, for instance, in a busy retail district, shopping plaza, mall, etc? Consider how your location might generate a steady stream of customers

Promoting your ice cream shop business is the final part of your marketing plan. In this step, you document how you will drive customers to purchase your ice cream shop business business. A few marketing methods you could consider are:

• Adding extra appeal to your ice cream shop’s storefront to attract passing customers
• Marketing on social media
• Advertise in local papers, magazines, and on the web
• Placing banner ads at local venues

You should also think about your ice cream’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP), which should explain why clients should choose you over other ice cream businesses. Ensure that your USP is reflected in your marketing.

Recommended Resources: Are you writing an ice cream shop business plan yourself? this guide on how to write a marketing plan in a business plan can help you in creating a successful business plan.

While the previous sections of your ice cream shop business plan described your goals, your operations plan discusses how you will achieve them.

An operational plan in business plan is helpful for investors, but it’s also helpful for you and employees because it pushes you to think about tactics and deadlines.

Your operations plan should be divided into two individual parts, as seen below.

Everyday short-term processes include all aspects of running your ice cream shop, such as making ice cream, serving customers, and maintaining equipment.

Long-term goals are milestones you hope to reach. It may be the date when you expect to serve your 1000th customer or when you hope to reach $X in sales. Another example would be when you expect to hire your Xth employee or start a new location or service.

A strong management team is necessary to demonstrate your ice cream shop’s ability to succeed as a business. Highlight the backgrounds of your key players, emphasizing the skills and experiences that demonstrate their ability to grow a business.

You and/or your team members should ideally have prior experience working in an ice cream shop. If so, emphasize your knowledge and experience. However, you should emphasize any experience that you believe will help your ice cream shop business succeed.

Consider forming an advisory board if your team is lacking. An advisory board would consist of 2 to 8 people who would act as mentors to your company. They would assist in answering questions and providing strategic direction. If necessary, seek out advisory board members with experience running ice cream shop and/or retail and small businesses. 

Suggested Resources: This guide on how to write a management team section in a business plan can help you to create a winning ice cream shop business plan.

As part of your financial plan, you should present a 5-year financial statement broken down monthly or quarterly for the first year, and then annually. Financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement.

Income Statement

A profit and loss statement is more commonly called an income statement . It shows your revenue and subtracts your expenses to determine whether you were profitable or not.

As you develop your income statement, you need to develop assumptions. For instance, Will sales grow by 2% or 11% per year? Your choice of assumptions will greatly impact your business’s financial forecasts. Conduct as much research as possible in order to ground your assumptions in reality.

Free: Income Statement Template

Create a financial statement for your business by downloading our free income statement templates.

Balance Sheet

While balance sheets include much information, to simplify them to the key items you need to know about, balance sheets show your assets and liabilities.

The balance sheet shows your ice cream shop business’s net value at a specific point in time. It categorizes all of your company’s financial data into three categories:

• Assets: Tangible goods with the monetary worth that the company owns.
• Liabilities: Debt owing to a company’s creditor.
• Equity: The net difference when the total liabilities are subtracted from the total assets.

The equation that expresses the relationship between these financial data elements is Assets = Liabilities + Equity.

Create a pro forma balance sheet for your ice cream shop business plan that highlights the information in the income statement and cash flow projections. A balance sheet is normally prepared once a year by a company.

Balance sheets indicate your assets and liabilities, and while they contain a lot of information, they are simplified to highlight the most important things you need to know.

For example, spending $100,000 to build out your ice cream shop business will not result in instant revenues. Rather, it is an asset that should help you earn money for many years to come.

Similarly, if a bank write you a check for $60,000, you do not have to pay it back right now. Rather, that is a liability that you will repay over time.

Cash Flow Statement:

Your cash flow statement will help you determine how much money you need to start or grow your ice cream shop business. In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing an ice cream shop business:

• Cost of equipment like blenders, refrigerators, etc.
• Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
• Cost of fixtures like tables, chairs, a menu board, etc.
• Cost of ingredients and maintaining an adequate amount of supplies
• Taxes and permits
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Legal expenses
• Business insurance

Pro Tips: If your are a DIY business plan write, this guide on how to write a financial plan in a business plan might be helpful for you.

Free: Balance Sheet Template

Create a financial statement for your business by downloading our free balance sheet templates.

List any additional material you cannot include elsewhere, such as resumes from key employees, licenses, equipment leases, permits, patents, receipts, bank statements, contracts, and personal and business credit histories.

Attach your full financial projections along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling in the appendix.

Bonus Tip: Here is a step by step guide on what to include in a business plan appendix

An ice cream shop business plan is a worthwhile investment. As long as you follow the template above, you will become an expert in no time. By following the template, you will understand the ice cream shop business, your competition, and your customers. The plan will help you understand the steps necessary to launch and grow your ice cream shop business.

Wouldn’t it be nice if your business plan could be completed faster and easier?

With wise business plans Business Plan Template , you can finish your ice cream shop business plan in just 6 hours or less with a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee!

OR, we can create your ice cream shop business plan for you

Since 2010, Wise business plans’ ice cream shop business plan writers has developed business plans for thousands of companies that have experienced tremendous success.

We will show you some real-world business plan examples so you may know how to write your own, especially if you are seeking a bank loan or an outside investment and need to use SBA-approved formatting.

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Ice Cream Market SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS & FORECASTS UP TO 2029

The Ice Cream Market is segmented by Distribution Channel (Off-Trade, On-Trade) and by Region (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America). Market Value in USD and Volume are both presented. Key Data Points observed include Per capita consumption; Population; and Dairy production.

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• Ice Cream Market Size

Key Players

Why buy from us, ice cream market analysis.

The Ice Cream Market size is estimated at 111.62 billion USD in 2024, and is expected to reach 135.60 billion USD by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.97% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

111.62 Billion

Market size in 2024 (usd), 135.60 billion, market size in 2029 (usd), cagr (2017-2023), cagr (2024-2029), largest market by distribution channel, value share, off-trade, 2023.

The growth of segment in the country is largely driven with the existence of an inviting place for customers to shop, as they are constantly drawn to make large purchases.

Largest Market by Region

Value share, europe, 2023.

Over the review period, indulgence and the increasing consumer preference for ice cream as a leisure product drove the growth and innovative flavors are further driving the segment.

Fastest-growing Market by Distribution Channel

Projected cagr, off-trade, 2024-2029.

The onset of the experimential economy and the rising social media platforms with increasing consumer reach in the market is driving the off trade channels through online channels

Fastest-growing Market by Region

Projected cagr, south america, 2024-2029.

Health and wellness trends in South America led to the inclination of consumers toward low-fat, lactose-free variants, and calcium-rich variants, with rising growth for gluten-free, low-sugar ice creams.

Leading Market Player

Market share, unilever plc, 2022.

Unilever Group gained a competitive edge over other players due to its extensive product portfolio with wider brand presence, along with its strategic moves toward innovation.

Strong penetration of organized retail channels propelling the market growth.

• The off-trade segment dominates the distribution channels of the global ice cream market. In the off-trade segment, consumers prefer buying ice cream majorly from supermarkets and hypermarkets, as people get discount coupons for bulk shopping in supermarkets. As a result, the off-trade channel is considered the primary distribution channel for the sales of ice cream, with more than 74% of overall sales as of 2023 globally.
• Convenience stores are the second-largest channel for the sales of ice cream after supermarkets and hypermarkets. In 2022, the sales value of ice cream through convenience stores increased by 3.4% compared to 2021. Many convenience stores stay open longer than traditional retail stores, resulting in more time in the day for the companies' products to be sold.
• Ice creams are commonly consumed as after-meal snacks in restaurants and foodservice channels, which is further boosting the global ice cream market growth. As of 2022, 47% of consumers consumed meals and ice cream at restaurants, and 31% of consumers ordered their food from foodservice channels globally.
• Africa had the highest sales of ice cream through on-trade channels globally, accounting for a major share of 50% in 2023. The sales are driven by the strong preference for eating out in the region. South Africa and Egypt are the leading countries in terms of sales of ice cream through on-trade channels in Africa. In 2022, the two countries covered 79% of sales in terms of volume in the total ice cream sales through on-trade channels in the region. In 2022, there were 3.5 million reservations in South Africa, seating 17.8 million diners at restaurants across the country. In 2020, despite the pandemic, around 68% of African people showed a willingness to eat out.

Consumer growing preference towards sweet indulgence driving the market growth.

• The global ice cream industry observed growth of 2.83% in 2022 compared to 2021. The growth was attributed to the rising number of consumers with a sweet tooth globally. In 2022, it was observed that the average Kiwi (People of New Zealand) consumed 28.4 l of ice cream. The United States, Australia, and Finland had a per capita consumption of volume of 20.8 l, 18.0 l, and 14.2 l in 2022, respectively.
• In North America, premium and regular ice cream hold 80% of the market. In 2022, 16% of the total population of North America preferred chocolate-flavored ice cream, followed by cookie N cream and vanilla, preferred by 13% and 12% of the population, respectively. Some flavors, such as cookie dough and mint chocolate dip, were preferred by 11% of the population. In 2022, 37% of consumers preferred eating ice cream out of a bowl.
• In the Middle East, consumers prioritize products' shelf life to store them conveniently. Ice creams have a longer shelf life, ranging from 12 to 24 months, depending on the temperature. Consumers in the Middle East prefer to consume ice cream at home.
• During the review period (2017-2022), in Asia-Pacific, China dominated the ice cream industry with a production of a whopping 4.3 billion l worth of ice cream. India, Vietnam, and Indonesia amassed a total of 13 billion l worth of ice cream sales. India sold 657 million l of ice cream in 2021. With the increased innovation in the ice cream industry, the demand for such products is expected to grow during the forecast period (2025-2029).

Global Ice Cream Market Trends

The strong penetration of ice cream parlors, the availability of diverse flavors, and the consumer preference for indulgent and healthier dessert options are driving the consumption of ice cream..

• Ice cream is the most widely consumed dairy dessert globally, with strong penetration across different countries. The demand for ice cream is driven by the significant number of ice cream parlors and scoop shops emerging in response to the high consumer spending on different flavors of ice creams. Europe is a significant consumer of ice cream globally. In 2022, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain collectively covered 29.28% of the overall ice cream consumption.
• Developed markets like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia are witnessing rising health concerns. Thus, consumers across the region prefer ice cream products that are GMO-free, preservative-free, dairy-free, low in calories, and organic and fat-free.
• The Asian ice cream market is growing, with brands tapping into the ice cream trend from an indulgence and a health perspective. For example, per capita consumption of ice cream in India is expected to increase by 5.90% from 2023-2024. The growing consumer expenditure on food and beverages, the introduction of new flavors, increasing impulse purchasing, and strong demand for healthy ice cream products among consumers are some of the primary factors increasing the consumption of ice cream. 75% of consumers in Asia often try new or different varieties when purchasing ice cream products.

OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT

• The growing demand for processed dairy products followed by increasing prices globally is emerged to be the major factors impacting the production of milk

Ice Cream Industry Overview

The Ice Cream Market is fragmented, with the top five companies occupying 22.60%. The major players in this market are Dairy Farmers of America Inc., Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co. Ltd, Nestlé SA, Unilever PLC and Wells Enterprises Inc. (sorted alphabetically).

Ice Cream Market Leaders

Dairy Farmers of America Inc.

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co. Ltd

Unilever PLC

Wells Enterprises Inc.

Other important companies include Blue Bell Creameries LP, Lotte Corporation, Smith Foods Inc..

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in alphabetical order.

Ice Cream Market News

• October 2022 : Unilever partnered with ASAP for the delivery of its ice cream products. As per the partnership, ASAP will also deliver ice cream and treats from Unilever's virtual storefront, The Ice Cream Shop.
• October 2022 : Kemps replaced Dean Goods throughout Iowa as Dairy Farmers of America completed the USD 433 million acquisition of Dean Foods properties. The business took over the Le Mars milk factory, which can process numerous Kemps products, from cottage cheese to ice cream.
• October 2022 : Blue Ribbon's Street range launched three new two-liter tubs, each featuring two flavors. The range includes chocolate affair, caramel hokey pokey, and velvety caramel.

Free with this Report

We provide a comprehensive and exhaustive set of data pointers for global, regional, and country-level metrics that illustrate the fundamentals of the dairy industry. With the help of 45+ free charts, clients can access in-depth market analysis based on per capita consumption numbers and production data of raw materials for dairy, through granular-level segmental information supported by a repository of market data, trends, and expert analysis. Data and analysis on dairy, categories of dairy products, product types, etc., are available in the form of comprehensive reports as well as excel based data worksheets.

Ice Cream Market Report - Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY & KEY FINDINGS

REPORT OFFERS

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Study Assumptions & Market Definition

1.2. Scope of the Study​

1.3. Research Methodology

2. KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS

2.1. Per Capita Consumption

2.2. Raw Material/Commodity Production

2.2.1. Milk

2.3. Regulatory Framework

2.3.1. Brazil

2.3.2. Canada

2.3.3. Germany

2.3.4. Italy

2.3.5. Japan

2.3.6. Mexico

2.3.7. United States

2.4. Value Chain & Distribution Channel Analysis

3. MARKET SEGMENTATION (includes market size in Value in USD and Volume, Forecasts up to 2029 and analysis of growth prospects)

3.1. Distribution Channel

3.1.1. Off-Trade

3.1.1.1. Convenience Stores

3.1.1.2. Online Retail

3.1.1.3. Specialist Retailers

3.1.1.4. Supermarkets and Hypermarkets

3.1.1.5. Others (Warehouse clubs, gas stations, etc.)

3.1.2. On-Trade

3.2. Region

3.2.1. Africa

3.2.1.1. By Distribution Channel

3.2.1.2. Egypt

3.2.1.3. Nigeria

3.2.1.4. South Africa

3.2.1.5. Rest of Africa

3.2.2. Asia-Pacific

3.2.2.1. By Distribution Channel

3.2.2.2. Australia

3.2.2.3. China

3.2.2.4. India

3.2.2.5. Indonesia

3.2.2.6. Japan

3.2.2.7. Malaysia

3.2.2.8. New Zealand

3.2.2.9. Pakistan

3.2.2.10. South Korea

3.2.2.11. Rest of Asia Pacific

3.2.3. Europe

3.2.3.1. By Distribution Channel

3.2.3.2. Belgium

3.2.3.3. France

3.2.3.4. Germany

3.2.3.5. Italy

3.2.3.6. Netherlands

3.2.3.7. Russia

3.2.3.8. Spain

3.2.3.9. Turkey

3.2.3.10. United Kingdom

3.2.3.11. Rest of Europe

3.2.4. Middle East

3.2.4.1. By Distribution Channel

3.2.4.2. Bahrain

3.2.4.3. Iran

3.2.4.4. Kuwait

3.2.4.5. Oman

3.2.4.6. Qatar

3.2.4.7. Saudi Arabia

3.2.4.8. United Arab Emirates

3.2.4.9. Rest of Middle East

3.2.5. North America

3.2.5.1. By Distribution Channel

3.2.5.2. Canada

3.2.5.3. Mexico

3.2.5.4. United States

3.2.5.5. Rest of North America

3.2.6. South America

3.2.6.1. By Distribution Channel

3.2.6.2. Argentina

3.2.6.3. Brazil

3.2.6.4. Rest of South America

4. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

4.1. Key Strategic Moves

4.2. Market Share Analysis

4.3. Company Landscape

4.4. Company Profiles (includes Global Level Overview, Market Level Overview, Core Business Segments, Financials, Headcount, Key Information, Market Rank, Market Share, Products and Services, and Analysis of Recent Developments).

4.4.1. Blue Bell Creameries LP

4.4.2. Dairy Farmers of America Inc.

4.4.3. Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co. Ltd

4.4.4. Lotte Corporation

4.4.5. Nestlé SA

4.4.6. Smith Foods Inc.

4.4.7. Unilever PLC

4.4.8. Wells Enterprises Inc.

5. KEY STRATEGIC QUESTIONS FOR DAIRY AND DAIRY ALTERNATIVE CEOS

6. APPENDIX

6.1. Global Overview

6.1.1. Overview

6.1.2. Porter’s Five Forces Framework

6.1.3. Global Value Chain Analysis

6.1.4. Market Dynamics (DROs)

6.2. Sources & References

6.3. List of Tables & Figures

6.4. Primary Insights

6.5. Data Pack

6.6. Glossary of Terms

List of Tables & Figures

• Figure 1:  
• PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION OF ICE CREAM, KG, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 2:  
• PRODUCTION OF MILK, METRIC TONNES, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2021
• Figure 3:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM, METRIC TONNES, BY GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 4:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM, USD, BY GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 5:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, METRIC TONNES, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 6:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 7:  
• VOLUME SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL , %, GLOBAL, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 8:  
• VALUE SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL , %, GLOBAL, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 9:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY SUB DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS, METRIC TONNES, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 10:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY SUB DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 11:  
• VOLUME SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY SUB DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS , %, GLOBAL, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 12:  
• VALUE SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY SUB DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS , %, GLOBAL, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 13:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET SOLD VIA CONVENIENCE STORES, METRIC TONNES, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 14:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET SOLD VIA CONVENIENCE STORES, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 15:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET SOLD VIA ONLINE RETAIL, METRIC TONNES, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 16:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET SOLD VIA ONLINE RETAIL, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 17:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET SOLD VIA SPECIALIST RETAILERS, METRIC TONNES, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 18:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET SOLD VIA SPECIALIST RETAILERS, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 19:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET SOLD VIA SUPERMARKETS AND HYPERMARKETS, METRIC TONNES, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 20:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET SOLD VIA SUPERMARKETS AND HYPERMARKETS, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 21:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET SOLD VIA OTHERS (WAREHOUSE CLUBS, GAS STATIONS, ETC.), METRIC TONNES, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 22:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET SOLD VIA OTHERS (WAREHOUSE CLUBS, GAS STATIONS, ETC.), USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 23:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET SOLD VIA ON-TRADE, METRIC TONNES, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 24:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET SOLD VIA ON-TRADE, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 25:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY REGION, METRIC TONNES, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 26:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY REGION, USD, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 27:  
• VOLUME SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY REGION , %, GLOBAL, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 28:  
• VALUE SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY REGION , %, GLOBAL, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 29:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, METRIC TONNES, AFRICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 30:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, USD, AFRICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 31:  
• VOLUME SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL , %, AFRICA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 32:  
• VALUE SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL , %, AFRICA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 33:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY COUNTRY, METRIC TONNES, AFRICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 34:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY COUNTRY, USD, AFRICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 35:  
• VOLUME SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY COUNTRY , %, AFRICA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 36:  
• VALUE SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY COUNTRY , %, AFRICA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 37:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, EGYPT, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 38:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, EGYPT, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 39:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, NIGERIA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 40:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, NIGERIA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 41:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, SOUTH AFRICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 42:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, SOUTH AFRICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 43:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, REST OF AFRICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 44:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, REST OF AFRICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 45:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, METRIC TONNES, ASIA-PACIFIC, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 46:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, USD, ASIA-PACIFIC, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 47:  
• VOLUME SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL , %, ASIA-PACIFIC, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 48:  
• VALUE SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL , %, ASIA-PACIFIC, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 49:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY COUNTRY, METRIC TONNES, ASIA-PACIFIC, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 50:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY COUNTRY, USD, ASIA-PACIFIC, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 51:  
• VOLUME SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY COUNTRY , %, ASIA-PACIFIC, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 52:  
• VALUE SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY COUNTRY , %, ASIA-PACIFIC, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 53:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, AUSTRALIA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 54:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, AUSTRALIA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 55:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, CHINA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 56:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, CHINA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 57:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, INDIA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 58:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 59:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, INDONESIA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 60:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, INDONESIA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 61:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, JAPAN, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 62:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, JAPAN, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 63:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, MALAYSIA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 64:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, MALAYSIA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 65:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, NEW ZEALAND, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 66:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, NEW ZEALAND, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 67:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, PAKISTAN, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 68:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, PAKISTAN, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 69:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, SOUTH KOREA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 70:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, SOUTH KOREA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 71:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, REST OF ASIA PACIFIC, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 72:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, REST OF ASIA PACIFIC, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 73:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, METRIC TONNES, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 74:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, USD, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 75:  
• VOLUME SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL , %, EUROPE, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 76:  
• VALUE SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL , %, EUROPE, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 77:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY COUNTRY, METRIC TONNES, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 78:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY COUNTRY, USD, EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 79:  
• VOLUME SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY COUNTRY , %, EUROPE, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 80:  
• VALUE SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY COUNTRY , %, EUROPE, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 81:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, BELGIUM, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 82:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, BELGIUM, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 83:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, FRANCE, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 84:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, FRANCE, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 85:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, GERMANY, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 86:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, GERMANY, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 87:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, ITALY, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 88:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, ITALY, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 89:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, NETHERLANDS, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 90:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, NETHERLANDS, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 91:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, RUSSIA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 92:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, RUSSIA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 93:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, SPAIN, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 94:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, SPAIN, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 95:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, TURKEY, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 96:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, TURKEY, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 97:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, UNITED KINGDOM, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 98:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, UNITED KINGDOM, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 99:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, REST OF EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 100:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, REST OF EUROPE, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 101:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, METRIC TONNES, MIDDLE EAST, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 102:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, USD, MIDDLE EAST, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 103:  
• VOLUME SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL , %, MIDDLE EAST, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 104:  
• VALUE SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL , %, MIDDLE EAST, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 105:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY COUNTRY, METRIC TONNES, MIDDLE EAST, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 106:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY COUNTRY, USD, MIDDLE EAST, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 107:  
• VOLUME SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY COUNTRY , %, MIDDLE EAST, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 108:  
• VALUE SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY COUNTRY , %, MIDDLE EAST, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 109:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, BAHRAIN, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 110:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, BAHRAIN, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 111:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, IRAN, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 112:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, IRAN, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 113:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, KUWAIT, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 114:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, KUWAIT, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 115:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, OMAN, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 116:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, OMAN, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 117:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, QATAR, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 118:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, QATAR, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 119:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, SAUDI ARABIA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 120:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, SAUDI ARABIA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 121:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 122:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 123:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, REST OF MIDDLE EAST, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 124:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, REST OF MIDDLE EAST, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 125:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, METRIC TONNES, NORTH AMERICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 126:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, USD, NORTH AMERICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 127:  
• VOLUME SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL , %, NORTH AMERICA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 128:  
• VALUE SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL , %, NORTH AMERICA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 129:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY COUNTRY, METRIC TONNES, NORTH AMERICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 130:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY COUNTRY, USD, NORTH AMERICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 131:  
• VOLUME SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY COUNTRY , %, NORTH AMERICA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 132:  
• VALUE SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY COUNTRY , %, NORTH AMERICA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 133:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, CANADA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 134:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, CANADA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 135:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, MEXICO, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 136:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, MEXICO, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 137:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, UNITED STATES, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 138:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, UNITED STATES, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 139:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, REST OF NORTH AMERICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 140:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, REST OF NORTH AMERICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 141:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, METRIC TONNES, SOUTH AMERICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 142:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, USD, SOUTH AMERICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 143:  
• VOLUME SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL , %, SOUTH AMERICA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 144:  
• VALUE SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL , %, SOUTH AMERICA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 145:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY COUNTRY, METRIC TONNES, SOUTH AMERICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 146:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET BY COUNTRY, USD, SOUTH AMERICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 147:  
• VOLUME SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY COUNTRY , %, SOUTH AMERICA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 148:  
• VALUE SHARE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, BY COUNTRY , %, SOUTH AMERICA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
• Figure 149:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, ARGENTINA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 150:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, ARGENTINA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 151:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, BRAZIL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 152:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, BRAZIL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 153:  
• VOLUME OF ICE CREAM MARKET, METRIC TONNES, REST OF SOUTH AMERICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 154:  
• VALUE OF ICE CREAM MARKET, USD, REST OF SOUTH AMERICA, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 155:  
• MOST ACTIVE COMPANIES BY NUMBER OF STRATEGIC MOVES, COUNT, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 156:  
• MOST ADOPTED STRATEGIES, COUNT, GLOBAL, 2017 - 2029
• Figure 157:  
• VALUE SHARE OF MAJOR PLAYERS, %, GLOBAL, 2022

Ice Cream Industry Segmentation

Off-Trade, On-Trade are covered as segments by Distribution Channel. Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America are covered as segments by Region.

Market Definition

• Butter - Butter is a yellow-to-white solid emulsion of fat globules, water, and inorganic salts produced by churning the cream from cows’ milk
• Dairy - Dairy product include milk and any of the foods made from milk, including butter, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and condensed and dried milk.
• Frozen Desserts - Frozen dairy dessert means and includes products containing milk or cream and other ingredients which are frozen or semi-frozen prior to consumption, such as ice milk or sherbet, including frozen dairy desserts for special dietary purposes, and sorbet
• Sour Milk Drinks - Sour milk is thick, curdled milk, with a sour taste, obtained from the fermentation of milk. Sour milk drinks such as kefir, laban, buttermilk have been considered in the study

Research Methodology

Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.

• Step-1: Identify Key Variables: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step 1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set, and the model is built on the basis of these variables.​
• Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the forecast years are in nominal terms. Inflation is not a part of the pricing, and the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period for each country.​
• Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables, and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.​
• Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms

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Ice Cream Market Research FAQs

How big is the global ice cream market.

The Global Ice Cream Market size is expected to reach USD 111.62 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 3.97% to reach USD 135.60 billion by 2029.

What is the current Global Ice Cream Market size?

In 2024, the Global Ice Cream Market size is expected to reach USD 111.62 billion.

Who are the key players in Global Ice Cream Market?

Dairy Farmers of America Inc., Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co. Ltd, Nestlé SA, Unilever PLC and Wells Enterprises Inc. are the major companies operating in the Global Ice Cream Market.

Which segment has the biggest share in the Global Ice Cream Market?

In the Global Ice Cream Market, the Off-Trade segment accounts for the largest share by distribution channel.

Which region has the biggest share in the Global Ice Cream Market?

In 2024, Europe accounts for the largest share by region in the Global Ice Cream Market.

What years does this Global Ice Cream Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?

In 2023, the Global Ice Cream Market size was estimated at 111.62 billion. The report covers the Global Ice Cream Market historical market size for years: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Global Ice Cream Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.

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Ice Cream Industry Report

Statistics for the 2023 Ice Cream market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Ice Cream analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.

Ice Cream Market Report Snapshots

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

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.

Need a convincing business plan?

The Business Plan Shop makes it easy to create a financial forecast to assess the potential profitability of your projects, and write a business plan that’ll wow investors.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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?
• How to describe your business premises in a business plan
• How to write the products and services section of your business plan
• Management team in a business plan: example and tips
• 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!

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.

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The swot of an ice cream shop (with examples).

Get a watermark-free, fully customizable SWOT analysis in our business plan for an ice cream shop

We've drafted tons of business plans for ice cream shopes and, far too often, business owners neglect to dedicate time and thought to crafting a strategic vision for their new project.

It's mainly because they lack the right tools and frameworks. The SWOT analysis is one of them.

What is it? Should you make a SWOT for your ice cream shop?

A SWOT analysis is a crucial tool for strategic planning, particularly beneficial for businesses like ice cream shops. It stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, offering a comprehensive framework to evaluate your business internally and externally.

Originally developed for broader organizational analysis, SWOT is extremely useful in the unique and vibrant world of the ice cream industry. Whether you're currently running an ice cream shop or dreaming of opening one, a SWOT analysis can provide valuable insights.

Conducting a SWOT analysis helps you identify what your ice cream shop excels at (strengths), areas that may need improvement (weaknesses), potential paths for growth (opportunities), and external factors that could impact your business (threats).

For example, your shop's strengths might be its homemade recipes or a popular location. Weaknesses could include limited seasonal operation or a small range of flavors. Opportunities might emerge from new dietary trends like vegan or sugar-free ice cream, while threats could be new competitors or changes in dairy prices.

People often perform a SWOT analysis when starting a new ice cream shop, introducing new flavors or services, or addressing business challenges. It’s a strategic approach to evaluate your business's current position and potential.

By understanding these four aspects, you can make informed decisions, set priorities, and devise strategies that leverage your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses.

If you're planning to launch an ice cream shop , conducting a SWOT analysis is not just beneficial; it's vital. It helps you pinpoint what makes your shop unique, areas where you might need to focus more resources, and what external factors to watch out for.

While a SWOT analysis doesn't ensure success, it significantly enhances your chances by providing clear insights and guiding your business strategy.

How do you write a SWOT analysis for your ice cream shop?

Filling out a SWOT analysis for your ice cream shop business can be a great way to strategize for success. Understanding your business's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats gives you a clearer picture of what to expect and how to plan.

To start, gather information about the ice cream industry and consumer trends. This can include market research reports and data on local preferences and buying behaviors. Knowledge about the broader industry and your local market is crucial.

Don't hesitate to connect with other ice cream shop owners or business mentors. They can provide insights based on their experiences, which might not be evident in market reports.

Remember, a SWOT analysis helps you prepare for various business scenarios and to think strategically about how to handle them.

Think about what makes your ice cream shop special. Do you offer unique or artisanal flavors? Is your location in a high-traffic area? Maybe you excel in creating a vibrant and inviting atmosphere, or you have strong connections with local suppliers for fresh ingredients. These are internal factors that can set your ice cream shop apart.

Identifying weaknesses requires honesty. Maybe you're new to the business and lack experience, or your budget constraints limit your marketing capabilities. Perhaps your shop is in an area with lots of competition, or you're dependent on seasonal customer flow. Recognizing these weaknesses is the first step to mitigating them.

Opportunities

Opportunities are external factors that can play in your favor. A growing trend in gourmet or health-conscious ice creams can be an advantage. Collaborating with local businesses or schools for events, or the potential to create a niche market in your area are also opportunities. Even seasonal changes that increase foot traffic can be beneficial.

Threats are external elements that could pose challenges. This might include new health regulations, rising prices of ingredients, or increased competition from larger chains. Also, changing consumer preferences, like a shift towards dairy-free or sugar-free options, could affect your product range.

Examples of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for the SWOT of an ice cream shop

These strengths and opportunities can be leveraged to improve the profitability of your ice cream shop .

More SWOT analysis examples for an ice cream shop

If you're creating your own SWOT analysis, these examples should be useful. For more in-depth information, you can access and download our business plan for an ice cream shop .

A SWOT Analysis for a Traditional Artisanal Ice Cream Shop

A traditional artisanal ice cream shop boasts strengths such as its commitment to high-quality, natural ingredients, and unique, handcrafted flavors. Its nostalgic and inviting atmosphere attracts customers seeking an authentic ice cream experience. The shop's capability to offer fresh, seasonal flavors sets it apart from mass-market brands. Being located in a community-oriented area also helps in building a loyal local customer base.

The shop may struggle with the higher costs of premium ingredients and handcrafted production, leading to higher prices for customers. Limited seating space or lack of indoor area can affect customer comfort during peak times or inclement weather. The artisanal process might also limit the speed of service, potentially causing longer wait times during busy periods.

Expanding the menu to include vegan or lactose-free options can attract a wider audience. Collaborating with local farmers and suppliers for unique, local ingredients can further enhance the shop's appeal. Utilizing social media to showcase new flavors and behind-the-scenes crafting processes can boost visibility and customer engagement. Organizing community events or ice cream-making workshops could also create a unique customer experience.

Competition from larger chain ice cream stores and local dessert spots is a constant threat. Fluctuations in the price and availability of natural ingredients can impact the cost structure. Weather dependency, with lower sales during colder months, can affect revenue. Furthermore, a shift in consumer health trends towards less sugary treats poses a challenge to traditional ice cream shops.

A SWOT Analysis for a Modern Gelato Parlor

A modern gelato parlor stands out with its sleek, contemporary design and diverse range of unique and exotic gelato flavors. Its use of authentic Italian techniques and ingredients contributes to a premium product quality. The parlor's location in a trendy, urban area attracts a diverse and younger demographic. Additionally, the parlor's focus on eco-friendly practices, such as using biodegradable containers, appeals to environmentally conscious customers.

The gelato parlor might face limitations due to a higher price point than traditional ice cream shops. Reliance on imported ingredients for authenticity can lead to increased operational costs. The shop's modern concept might not resonate with customers seeking a traditional ice cream experience.

Partnering with local cafes or restaurants to offer gelato desserts can expand the parlor's market reach. Introducing seasonal or limited-time flavors can create excitement and encourage repeat visits. Developing a loyalty program can incentivize customers to return. Hosting gelato tasting events or flavor creation contests can engage the community and increase brand loyalty.

Changes in import regulations or tariffs on foreign ingredients can impact the parlor's cost structure. Economic downturns may lead to reduced discretionary spending on luxury treats like gelato. Increasing health consciousness among consumers could shift preferences towards lower-calorie or sugar-free dessert options.

A SWOT Analysis for a Trendy Frozen Yogurt Bar

A trendy frozen yogurt bar appeals to health-conscious consumers with its range of low-fat, probiotic-rich frozen yogurts. The self-service model allows for customization and control over portion sizes, enhancing customer experience. Its vibrant, Instagram-worthy interior design attracts a younger, social media-savvy crowd. Strategic location in a high-traffic shopping area or near schools and colleges maximizes exposure to potential customers.

Dependence on transient trends in diet and health can lead to fluctuating customer interest. The self-service model may result in operational challenges like maintaining cleanliness and ensuring proper use of machines by customers. Seasonality can impact business, with lower sales during colder months.

Expanding the range of toppings and flavor options can continually renew customer interest. Collaborating with health and fitness centers or sponsoring local sports events can reinforce the brand's health-focused image. Implementing online ordering and delivery services can cater to the increasing demand for convenience. Introducing loyalty programs or discounts for students can attract repeat visits.

Competition from other frozen yogurt chains and alternative dessert options like ice cream or gelato poses a significant threat. Negative perceptions about the sugar content in frozen yogurt toppings can impact the health-conscious image. Economic downturns can lead to reduced spending on non-essential items like eating out.

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