Unique Ice Cream Shop Ideas for Businesses
Ice Cream Shop Ideas
Ice Cream Shop Concept Ideas
If you are thinking about starting an ice cream shop, you’re in luck! The universal appeal to ice cream and other frozen desserts means the possibilities are nearly endless.
I’d bet that there are probably a few unique ice cream shop ideas that may be the perfect match for your hometown.
In addition to exploring ice cream shop ideas, you may be interested in reading, How to Write an Ice Cream Shop Business Plan.
I want to list some excellent coffee shop business ideas you might want to explore more deeply in this post. The point of this list is to kickstart your brainstorming session with all the potential options for opening an ice cream shop.
Of course, you will probably want to look at the existing competition, local demographics, and other important factors to see if your ice cream shop idea will be a winner in your area.
Quick note: This list will also include ice cream shop ideas paired with other products and services.
Pairing Ice Cream With Other Businesses
Unique Ice Cream Shop Ideas
Ice Cream Shop Idea #1
Ice Cream Truck & Coffee
Most of us have grown up with the ice cream truck blaring classical music as it drives slowly down the block. It may not have seemed like a great gig back then, but the food truck industry has changed quite a bit over the last couple of decades.
An ice cream truck allows you to be mobile. It essentially means you can go where your customers are. Whether you decide to sell ice cream and coffee at a park, the local beach, or around the neighborhood, you’ll sure be busy. You will also offer the products with the highest demand and highest margins – ice cream and coffee. In fact, you might also consider starting a coffee truck business – and adding ice cream to your menu.
Ice Cream Shop Idea #2
Ice Cream Trailer & Smoothies
Much like the ice cream truck, an ice cream trailer allows you to go where your customers are. The exception is that you will most likely have to park somewhere for a certain period of time and sell your ice cream – and smoothies!
An ice cream trailer is a little less mobile than a truck but still very effective at going from place to place – and makes an excellent ice cream business idea.
Ice Cream Shop Idea #3
Ice Cream Shop & Candy
A dentist’s paradise! Your ice cream and candy business will be a dream for everyone with a sweet tooth.
It’s recommended to build a theme around ice cream and candy – especially if the competition is non-existent. There are various ways to design your layout that benefit both types of products, drawing customers of all ages.
Ice Cream Shop Idea #4
Ice Cream Shop & Coffee Bar
Who doesn’t love ice cream and coffee? I’ll be first in line for this ice cream shop and coffee bar. You can combine your ice cream shop with a coffee shop business – and serve everything from ice cream cones to espressos. Coffee can jump your business for early starts, and ice cream can extend your coffee business until later in the day.
Ice Cream Shop Idea #5
Ice Cream Shop & Fresh Waffles
Waffles are a complementary food item for ice cream. Whether you make them yourself or order them, fresh waffles can be the ideal treat. From waffle cones to ice-cream sandwiches, they will make the perfect product combination.
Ice Cream Shop Idea #6
Ice Cream Shop & Chocolate Confectionary
Selling confections and ice cream seem to me like a win-win situation. If you love dabbling in making chocolate confections and ice cream, why not have a shop for both?
While a confection shop can be famous on its own, an ice cream shop can attract more customers.
Ice Cream Shop idea #7
Ice Cream Shop & Souvenirs
If there are tourists in your town or at a local place of interest, consider combining two crowd-pleasers – local souvenirs and ice cream. Both products have their draw and can be the perfect couple to improve sales.
Ice Cream Shop idea #8
Ice Cream Shop & T-shirts
Local tees and ice cream can be a winning concept if your shop is in the ideal location. Your customers have to be browsers, perhaps tourists, who are strolling down a pleasant boardwalk and want to get a T-shirt that will remind them of their trip.
Ice Cream Shop idea #9
Ice Cream Shop & Bike Rentals
Locals and tourists may be drawn to renting bikes, but you could also supplement your income and retail space with an ice cream bar. A bike-themed ice cream shop may be just what your town needs.
Ice Cream Shop idea #10
Ice Cream Shop & Boutique
Your boutique and ice cream shop could draw the customers you need to be self-sufficient, depending on your available space and layout.
But what type of boutique would pair well with an ice cream shop? It could be anything that your local customers would like – perhaps your boutique would be children’s clothing or local art.
Ice Cream Shop idea #11
Ice Cream Shop & Games Store
Who doesn’t love ice cream and games? Ice cream and games could draw customers both young and old. Offering games and items such as card games, board games, and video games along with ice cream of all flavors can be a winning combo. This is especially true if your customers can stay and play games with each other. In fact, why not add an espresso machine and serve coffee too! Ice-Cream, Coffee, and Games can be a winning business concept.
Ice Cream Shop idea #12
Ice Cream Shop & Crepes
Crepes and ice cream will be a big draw in many neighborhoods. Crepes on their own can be addictive, and they go very well with ice cream. Add ice cream to your menu, and customers are sure to have their interest piqued.
Ice Cream Shop idea #13
Ice Cream Shop & Juice Bar
Whether you appeal to the healthy customer or the customer looking for a bit of indulgence, this ice cream shop concept may be just the ticket. Just like ice-cream shops, juice bars can appeal to a wide selection of people. Combine them both at the perfect location, and you might have a winning business.
Ice Cream Shop idea #14
Ice Cream Shop & Cakes
I can’t offer ice cream shop ideas without including cakes! Cake and ice cream have long been excellent partners and can make a great duo. Whether you bake the cakes yourself or get wholesale cakes, providing cake and ice cream can be a superb ice-cream shop idea. Be sure to offer indoor and outdoor seating!
Ice Cream Shop idea #15
Frozen Yogurt Shop & Smoothies
Ice cream is a dessert that can give way to frozen yogurt and smoothies. If you’d like to shake things up a bit, frozen yogurt may be your alternative to ice cream. And as we stated above, smoothies can be a great healthy alternative. Frozen yogurt shops and smoothie bars can be perfect in just about any location – near your local gyms, shopping malls, or coffee shop.
Ice Cream Shop idea #16
Gelato Shop & Ice Cream
Like frozen yogurt, gelato is extremely popular and can be precisely a great addition to your ice cream offerings. Gelato is typically viewed as a “high-end” desert, which could boost your revenue if you market it well.
Ice Cream Shop Idea #17
Ice Cream Shop & Sandwiches
Whether you want to provide lunch or a snack, Ice cream and sandwiches mean you’ll most likely be a fun place to grab a bite and desert. This is a fairly common concept in many communities and makes much sense: people love to stop in for lunch and possibly a dessert. This ice cream shop and sandwiches may be great near colleges and universities, high schools, malls, or business districts.
Ice Cream Shop Idea #18
Ice Cream Push Cart
What’s a Saturday in the park without ice cream? An ice-cream pushcart is an excellent low-cost ice cream shop idea that can be very profitable. An ice-cream pushcart is highly mobile, which you can take from park to park.
Ice Cream Shop Idea #19
Ice Cream Shop & Donuts
It’s no secret that Ice cream goes well with almost all food items. You can serve ice cream and donuts together or separately. A straightforward idea of serving two different foods has great potential. This will allow you to create bundle deals and cross-sell your items resulting in higher sales and more revenue.
Ice Cream Shop Idea #20
Vegan Ice Cream Shop & Foods
You might want to open a vegan ice cream shop complemented by other vegan food items. Vegan ice cream is just as delicious as a regular dairy ice cream. So your potential customer is not only vegetarians or vegans but also common people who want to try something new and trendy.
Ice Cream Shop Ideas & Concepts
As you can see, there are plenty of ideas to consider when starting an ice cream shop business. This list is just the tip of the iceberg!
Whichever direction you decide, consider all of the elements that need to come together to have a successful business: Your concept, your ice cream shop location, your equipment, your products, and your customers.
Additionally, consider your local demographics. Study your customers.
- Where will they be coming from?
- Will your rush of customers be ready for ice cream?
- Is there currently local competition?
- What else do your customers want?
If you need a little inspiration, visit your local ice cream shop and figure out what your local customers have available.
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