A new ice cream parlor business requires a lot of hard work and efforts from your end. Setting up the business, advertising, manufacturing and operations cost et al can end up making your initial investment quite a hefty sum. Alternatively, an ice cream truck, or even a parlor franchise is a better deal. Ice cream franchises are among the top 10 franchise business in India. However, here is how you can start a small new ice cream parlor business.
1) Consolidate your finances.
Initial setup charges are high. Refrigerator(s), Ingredients, furniture and decor, wallpaper et al come at different prices. Do not compromise with quality.
2) Perfect your Location
Primarily based on your target audience, choose your location wisely. Crowded places like playgrounds, schools and markets. Ample seating space and a good ambience are two things that should be compulsorily taken care of.
3) Find your USP
Baskin Robbins stayed true to its31 original flavors. Giani’s runs on its affordability and legacy. Tanvi Chowdhri’s Papacream has ice-creams in flavors like hummus served with lavash, Pani-puri and Motichoor Laddoo. The point is, you need to come up with a unique selling point, something that differentiates your brand from all the others.
4) Craft your Menu
A wide array of choices bodes well for the customers as well as the owner. Make your menu as interesting as your products. First impressions are formidable.
5) Get all required appliances
A typical ice cream parlor will definitely need refrigerators, storage cupboards, kitchen equipment, packaging materials, power backup, etc. Make sure you do not miss out on any essential.
6) Hire a suitable staff team.
You will require an Ice cream specialist chef/baker, one or two cashiers, and two or three service staff to begin with, in a small parlor.
7) Notch up the quality meter.
In today’s world, quality is a prerequisite. Make sure that everything from the ingredients, machinery, to product and packaging are top quality.
8) Get your paperwork right
Ice cream parlors, both independent and those under franchises, are a lucrative business option today. But make sure to acquire these licenses before you step into it. Shop, Trade, Municipal, FSSAI, Fire, Night, and a few other licenses are a must.
Since ice cream falls under the general category of food, all licenses required are similar to those of a QSR. Here is a detailed list –
1. Shop establishment license:
Shop Establishment registration, or Shop License is a state -based registration required to establish a hotel, shop, or any other commercial place, registered under the Shops and Establishment Act. It usually takes 30 days to issue this license, and is valid for a period of One Year, subject to renewal every year.
2. FSSAI license:
Every Food Business Operator in the country is required to be licensed under the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), as per Section 31(1) of FSS Act, 2006. The licensing and registration procedure and requirements are regulated by Food Safety & Standards Regulations, 2011.
3. Municipal Authority license:
Municipal Authority license, or a Trade License is a license issued by the concerned municipal corporation, granting permission to carry on a specific business at a specific address. It ensures that the population of the city is not adversely affected by any health hazards, and there is no improper carrying of trade.
4. Fire license:
As per the provisions regulated under the Haryana Fire Service Act, 2009, it is mandatory to possess a Fire License or No-Objection Certificate to obtain a building plan approval from the Haryana Urban Development Authority to run a business outlet in Gurgaon.
5. Night Operations License:
Any premises selling food or drink at any time between 11pm and 5am must be licensed under the Licensing Act 2003. As ice cream is by and large consumed as a dessert, the peak sales hours start from 9 PM onwards. It is therefore also advisable to get a late-night operations license so that you could keep it open at least until 1 AM.
A total expense of around INR 50,000 is incurred in acquiring these. If you miss any of these important licenses, a penalty of upto INR 50,000 can be levied upon you. For details and finer readings, it is generally suggested that you take proper guidance and help from a franchise consultant like https://www.frankart.global before acquiring the aforementioned licenses.
With every item in this list ticked off, you are all set for running your very own ice cream parlor. However, experts maintain that acquiring an ice-cream franchise is a better option than starting a new one from scratch.
Karan Makan
Technology Engineer and Entrepreneur. Currently working with International Brands and helping them scale their products Globally through different ventures. He owns Multiple Food Brands and is on a continuous spree to acquire many more businesses in the coming years. With over 10 years of experience and strong background in Brand Acquisition, Karan Makan is soon poised to be a Brand in the coming years.
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