Here's How to Start An Ice Cream Truck Business and Succeed

For many people, some of their fondest memories are of running up to an ice cream truck on a hot summer day. It was a fun way to get a treat, and the experience often felt incredibly special. As a result, some want to give that feeling to other people by operating an ice cream truck business of their own. If you are trying to figure out how to start an ice cream truck business, here’s what you need to know.

Figuring Out If an Ice Cream Truck Business Is Right for You

Before you worry about how to start an ice cream truck business, it’s important to determine if operating one is actually the right move for you.

Depending on where you live, ice cream trucks may be incredibly seasonal. You might only run for four or five months a year, usually dedicating your summer to running the truck. If you’re looking for a business that is more like a seasonal gig, then an ice cream truck could be a great fit.

But if you live in an area where the season is longer – or runs all year round – an ice cream truck could be a full-time job, allowing you to do what you enjoy during every month of the year. If you’re hoping for something you can do as a sole source of income, you may need to make sure that operating an ice cream truck all year is viable before you launch your business.

It’s important to note that ice cream truck drivers need a surprising amount of patience. Most of your customers will be children. They may be loud or hard to understand. It’s normal for kids to struggle with making decisions.

Additionally, not all young children can count money properly, so you may have to correct them if they don’t give you the right amount. In some cases, you may even have to tell a kid that they don’t have enough cash for the treat they want, which can be hard.

If you’re comfortable with all of that, then starting an ice cream truck business could be right for you.

How to Start an Ice Cream Truck Business

1. Decide What You’d Like to Sell

Before you do anything else, you need to figure out what kind of ice cream you’d like to sell. What you’ll need in a truck may vary depending on what you want to stock. For example, frozen novelties only require freezers, while soft-serve usually needs a specialty machine.

Think about what you want to offer. Consider every ingredient that goes into the final product, including items like bowls, cones, and toppings. That way, you can get figure out what you’ll need to find in a truck.

2. Estimate Your Expenses

When you start an ice cream truck business, you’re going to have startup and ongoing costs. Before you prepare to launch, you need to estimate those expenses so that you can create a startup and long-term budget.

In most cases, you’ll need to account for the following:

Ice Cream Truck (either rental or purchase)
Fuel
Vehicle Insurance
Business Insurances
Equipment and Supplies
Product Inventory
Permits
Licensing

By reviewing those costs, you can create some initial budgets.

3. Set Up the Business

With your starting plan in place, it’s time to establish your business. You’ll need to choose a company name and decide between the various business structures that are available. Then, you’ll want to register your business, get your federal and state tax IDs, and acquire insurance.

As you get those in place, you can start planning your initial startup purchases. That way, you’ll be able to hit the ground running once everything else is wrapped up.

4. Get Your Licenses and Permits

After you do the business setup, it’s time for licenses and permits. Exactly what you’ll need may vary depending on your location. However, you’ll typically have to have at least some of the following:

Driver’s License
Business License
Health Permit
Food Handler’s Card
Mobile Food Service Business Permit
Resale Permit
Peddler’s Permit

Research the operating requirements in your operational area. That way, you can secure the proper licenses and permits.

5. Handle the Financial Side

In most cases, you’ll want to open a separate business bank account. This lets you keep your ice cream truck finances separated from your personal ones, simplifying cost tracking, income monitoring, tax calculations, and more.

Often, it’s also wise to invest in some accounting software. It makes it easier to track your finances and manage taxes, so it’s a smart idea to find an accounting platform that you can start using from the beginning. You can also opt to use a startup credit card if you want to monitor your expenses, this card can be pre-assigned with funds, allowing you to only spend what’s necessary.

6. Start Marketing

While it may seem like you don’t need to do much in the way of marketing as an ice cream truck business, it’s still wise to get a few things set up. For example, having a website and a business Facebook page helps legitimize your business.

Your website can be incredibly simple. Even a single page that talks about your company, shows a map of your route, and outlines what you offer is enough. In most cases, you can use a website builder from an all-inclusive website company to tackle creating it on your own.

In some cases, you might also want to print some flyers or invest in other kinds of advertising. That way, people know you’re in the area.

7. Hit the Road

Once you have all of the above handled, it’s time to hit the road. As you connect with new buyers, make customer service your top priority. That way, you can cement your reputation as the go-to ice cream truck in the area and generate positive word of mount, ensuring your business venture is ultimately a success.

Do you have any tips that can help someone start an ice cream truck business? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Tamila McDonald

Tamila McDonald is a U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, including five years as a military financial advisor. After retiring from the Army, she spent eight years as an AFCPE-certified personal financial advisor for wounded warriors and their families. Now she writes about personal finance and benefits programs for numerous financial websites.

How To Start an Ice Cream Truck Business