Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

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I.- Ice Cream Shop Executive Summary

Business Overview

[Company Name] is a new, artisanal ice cream shop located in [company location] that serves homemade, all-natural ice cream freshly made every day. [Company Name] has created an artisan ice cream shop business plan that seeks to serve a variety of delicious flavors, smoothies, and a selection of assorted toppings. The ice cream served at [Company Name] is sure to delight anyone’s sweet tooth.

Services

[Company Name] has created an ice cream business plan that will sell a variety of ice cream flavors, smoothies, and toppings to complement any ice cream. All products will be made using only fresh and all-natural ingredients and because our products are made fresh every day, they will not include any chemicals or preservatives.
[Company Name] will also offer soda and water beverages to widen our consumer base.

Customer Focus

[Company Name]’s ice cream shop business plan seeks to serve the community of [company location]. The community is largely made up of families and has many schools, churches, and organizations. The demographics of the target customer incl 52,313 residents with an average income of $85,000, 74.9% of which are married with a median age of 39 years. Additionally, there are 16 schools within the area and there are several youth sports leagues, church organizations, and community non-profit organizations.

Management Team

[Company Name]’s ice cream shop business plan highlights how it will be solely owned and operated by [Founder’s Name] who has been making ice cream at her home for the past twenty years for her husband and children as a hobby. After support from family and friends, [Founder’s Name] began providing ice cream on a larger scale to school events, church gatherings, and social events. She quickly gained a following and increased demand prompted [Founder’s Name] to open a retail ice cream shop.
[Founder’s Name] is a career accountant and is very adept at bookkeeping and taxes for running a business. She will employ a staff of part-time employees to assist her with the daily ice cream preparation, customer service, and cleanliness of the business.

Success Factors

[Company Name]’s ice cream shop business plan highlights several advantages it has over its competitors. These advantages include fresh ice cream made in-store and using all-natural ingredients, a prime location, and vital connections which [Founder] has built throughout her life as she grew up and raised her family in the same community as her target market. Additionally, she has many connections with the local schools, churches, and organizations and her ice cream will be priced competitively with other establishments and will be moderately priced for fresh, all-natural ice cream.

Financial Highlights

After analyzing the business opportunity, [Founder] created an ice cream shop financial plan and has determined that $200,000 in funding will be needed to launch [Company Name]. $75,000 will be used for store design and build-out, $95,000 will be used for ice cream making and vending equipment, and $30,000 will be used for marketing and advertising, staffing costs, and working capital.

II.- Ice Cream Shop Business Overview

Who is [Company Name]?

[Company Name], is located at [insert location here] and is a new, upscale ice cream shop focusing on providing artisanal and specialty crafted ice cream. We will also sell gelato, beverages, and ice cream smoothies.

Highlighted in the ice cream shop business plan, [Company Name] was founded by [Founder’s Name], who has been making ice cream at home as a hobby for over twenty years. With the encouragement and persistence of family, friends, and other members of her community, [Founder’s Name] has begun providing ice cream out of her home for the past year for social events and gatherings. Word quickly spread and the popularity of her ice cream became so much that, [Founder’s Name] decided to establish a retail location of her own in the heart of the community.

Much of the community is made up of school-age children and families that frequent ice cream shops. There is not much competition and [Company Name] would be the only artisanal ice cream shop in [insert location here].

[Company Name]’s History

Upon returning from Fort Lauderdale and surveying the local customer base, [Founder’s Name] incorporated [Company Name] as an S-Corporation on [date of incorporation], created a clothing store business plan, and organized the necessary information required for starting a clothing store business plan.

[Founder’s Name] has selected three initial locations and is currently undergoing due diligence on each property and the local market to assess which will be the best location for the store.

Since incorporation, [Founder] has developed the company’s name, logo and website, determined the list of products to be offered, determined the necessary equipment and inventory requirements, and identified 20 potential suppliers and received preliminary interest from them.
The company website can be visited at [hyperlink].

[Company Name]’s Products/Services

Below is [Company Name]’s initial menu. All ice cream products will be homemade using all-natural ingredients and toppings.

• Delectable Chocolate
• Very Vanilla
• Cookies and Cream
• Chocolate Mint
• Sensational Strawberry
• Rockin’ Rocky Road
• Butter Pecan
• Rum Raisin
• Mango Sorbet
• Pineapple Sorbet

Design

[Company Name] will design a functional ice cream shop in a 1,500-square-foot space. The ice cream shop will include the following:

• Ordering counter
• Display area for available ice cream flavors
• 6 small tables to accommodate 12-15 customers
• Small sink and washing area
• ADA-compliant restrooms

[Company Name] will have 12 dedicated parking spots in the retail strip area where it will be located.

[Company Name] will be open 7 days a week, from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.

III.- Ice Cream Shop Industry Analysis

Over the next five years, the Ice Cream Shop industry is expected to increase to more than $6 billion. This growth will be driven by per capita disposable income, which is expected to increase at an annualized rate of 2.1%.
The ice cream shop business plan has been a dessert staple in the United States. Ice cream’s popularity in American culture has prevented a decline in demand for industry products, therefore while some consumers are eating less ice cream, the popularity of this item continues to drive demand for store offerings. Additionally, industry operators have increasingly introduced new products and flavors with healthier options to cater to changing preferences.

The price of milk is also estimated to decrease at an annualized rate of 0.2%, lowering purchase costs and boosting profit margins for industry operators; this was highlighted in the ice cream shop financial plan created by [Founder]. Revenue volatility in the industry is low, and demand for ice cream and gelato products is largely seasonal.
During the warmer summer months, industry operators experience increased demand as more consumers indulge in the cool treats.

What you Get in Your Ice Cream Shop Business Plan Package

IV.- Ice Cream Shop Customer Analysis

Profile of Target Market

[Company Name] has created an ice cream business plan focused on serving the community residents of [company location] and its surrounding areas.
The area we serve has dozens of elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as numerous sports organizations, churches, and activities. [company location] is mostly a family-friendly community whose residents regularly consume ice cream and dessert items.

Demographics

The precise demographics of the town in which our retail location resides are as follows:

Customer Segmentation

Our primary consumer will be parents of young children middle and high school-age students, local youth sports organizations, and local working community members.
Our ice cream shop business plan highlights parents of your children due to the locals are experiencing growth within this market. Additionally, middle and high school students will walk to the store after school or on weekends. The area also has many sports teams therefore we expect teams to gather at our shop after grams and practices. Finally, [Company Name] anticipates many workers in various industries to visit our shop during their lunch or break times.

V.- Ice Cream Shop Competitive Analysis

Direct & Indirect Competitors

[Company Name] has highlighted within its ice cream shop business plan that our main competitors are Creole Creamery, Ice Cream Depot, and Sub Zero.
Creole Creamery is an old-school, traditional American ice cream parlor that was founded in New Orleans. With 15 locations across the U.S, Creole Creamery specializes in artisan ice creams and sorbets made fresh in-house daily. The diverse flavors offered at this uptown ice cream parlor (which change daily) are unique and unusual, but it also offers classic milkshakes, ice cream floats, and banana split sundaes.

Ice Cream Depot is a US-based provider of ice cream, frozen yogurt, and other frozen beverages. Founded in 1945, it is headquartered in Canton, MA, and is famous for its 31 flavors slogan and customer sampling of ice cream flavors. Since 1945, it has introduced more than 1,300 new flavors. The brand operates 2,560 domestic and an additional 5,422 international locations.

In addition to traditional ice cream, its locations also offer cakes, desserts, and prepackaged ice cream. These products are produced by the corporate division and then sent to franchise locations to be sold.
Sub Zero was established in 2004 and is a franchise that uses the science of cryogenics to make fresh, custom frozen desserts for each customer. While standard recipes are offered, customers may choose from a variety of cream bases and mix-ins to make a custom flavor, and the concoction is then flash-frozen to create a smoother, creamier product than traditional ice cream. The menu features ice cream, frozen yogurt or custard, reduced fat ice cream, and smoothies.

What you Get in Your Ice Cream Shop Business Plan Package

Competitive Advantage

[Company Name] has several advantages over its competition, including all-natural and homemade ingredients, a prime location, relationships, and pricing.
[Company Name] has created an ice cream shop business plan that seeks to meet the rising demand for all-natural and homemade ice cream products that have not been sitting on shelves for weeks or do not use natural ingredients. Additionally, our location will be in high traffic, a prime retail location. Our founder grew up and raised her family in the town and has created many vital relationships necessary for the success of [Company Name].

Finally, our ice cream shop financial plan has analyzed the market and our consumer base to determine appropriate pricing. [Company Name] will offer premium artisanal ice cream at a price point that is competitive with other establishments and be moderately priced for fresh, all-natural ice cream. Our pricing model will further allow our business to run on a positive cash flow basis.

VI.- Ice Cream Shop Marketing Plan

The [Company Name] Brand

The [Company Name] has created an ice cream shop business plan that focuses on the Company’s unique value proposition which includes their all-natural, freshly made artisanal ice cream offerings in a variety of delicious flavors, its prime location, and competitive prices.

Promotions Strategy

[Company Name] will target all residents of [company location] within a 20-to-30-mile radius. [Company Name] has created an ice cream shop business plan with a promotions strategy to reach the most clientele. Our promotion strategy includes public relations, social media marketing, a website, billboards, partnerships with local schools and businesses, pre-opening events, and advertising.

Public Relations efforts will include contacting local media outlets requesting a media blitz of the new, up-and-coming artisanal ice cream shop. They will be featured in local newspapers and publications as well as local television stations. Social media marketing efforts will further complement this strategy as our business will be active on social media and use targeted social media advertising to attract its most likely customers. The company will post frequently of upcoming specials, events, and seasonal featured flavors. Further, our website will have an informative and attractive website that will feature professional photos of the shop, its ice cream, store hours, address, and contact information. It will also use SEO to constantly stay at the top of search engines for anyone searching for dessert/ice cream shops near them.

Billboard advertisement efforts will be placed at a busy intersection where thousands of cars and pedestrians pass daily. The billboard will have an eye-catching picture of its artisanal ice cream that is sure to grab everyone’s attention. Additionally, [Company Name] will partner with the local schools and hand out coupons to all of its students to entice them to ask their parents to take them for ice cream at [Company Name]. They will also partner with the schools on fundraising options to benefit the school as well as the company.

Further, [Company Name] will partner with neighboring local businesses and request they hand out coupons for the company at their place of business in exchange for discounts for their employees. [Company Name] will also organize a pre-opening event designed for prospective customers, local merchants, and press contacts. The event will be fun and inviting to create awareness for the company. Attendees will be able to sample the different flavors of ice cream.
Finally, [Company Name] will invest in advertisements in featured local publications, such as community newspapers and newsletters.

Pricing Strategy

[Company Name] has implemented an ice cream shop financial model with pricing that will be moderate so customers feel they receive great value when purchasing its products.

VII.- Ice Cream Shop Operations Plan

[Company Name] will need to fill positions for administrative functions, small kitchen functions, store functions, and janitorial functions. Administrative functions include legal, marketing, bookkeeping, tax, etc, sourcing and storing ingredients, and hiring and training staff.

The small kitchen will need a team who can prepare ice cream and smoothies, maintain the sink, counter, serving utensils, and blender cleanliness, and modify the menu according to demand.

Finally, store functions will require team members who can fulfill orders for take-out and dine-in and customer service. We will also need to hire janitor personnel to maintain store cleanliness.

What you Get in Your Ice Cream Shop Business Plan Package

Milestones

[Company Name] will achieve the following milestones in the following [] months:

VIII.- Ice Cream Shop Management Team

[Company Name] is owned and operated by [Founder’s Name], a local accountant who has spent the last twenty years making fresh ice cream at her home as a hobby. Her children, husband, and family spent many years enjoying her delicious ice cream and encouraged her to launch her ice cream shop business plan.

Additionally, friends and family insisted [Founder’s Name] should launch a business and supported her efforts once she began providing her homemade ice cream at community social events and gatherings. Demand grew and it quickly translated into [Company Name] becoming a reality. While [Founder’s Name] has never operated an ice cream shop, her career as an accountant makes her adept at bookkeeping and accounting for a business.
[Founder’s Name] graduated from the University of ABC with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.

Hiring Plan

[Founder’s Name] will serve as the store manager and will hire an assistant store manager who will assist in all operational functions and will run the store when [Founder] requires time off. Additionally, 3 to 4 part-time ice cream enthusiasts who will handle customer service requests such as taking orders, serving, and cash register, 2 part-time ice cream prepares, and 1 to 2 store janitors responsible for upkeeping the store cleanliness will be hired. Additionally, the ice cream prepares will assist [Founder’s Name] with ice cream preparation every morning so that all ice cream offered is made and served fresh daily, and will also manage ingredient inventories.

IX.- Ice Cream Shop Financial Plan

Based on the ice cream shop financial plan created by [Founder], revenues for [Company Name] will come from the sales of the all-natural artisanal ice cream and smoothies that will be offered to its customers.

The Company will have dine-in and take-out options for its customers and as the company grows and revenues are able to support it, the store will add a drive-thru window as another option of serving its customer base.

The major costs for the company will be sourcing the fresh ingredients and production of the ice cream. Other cost drivers will be the salaries of the staff, company overhead, and advertising costs.

Capital Requirements and Use of Funds

[Company Name] has created an ice cream shop financial plan that requires $200,000 in funding to launch its ice cream store. The capital will be used for funding capital expenditures, staffing, marketing, and advertising expenses, and working capital. $75,000 will be used for store design and buildout, $95,000 will be used for ice cream making and vending equipment, and $30,000 will be used for marketing and advertising, staffing costs, and working capital.

Ice Cream Shop Financial Plan Sources And Uses Report

Key Assumptions

The following table reflects the key revenue and cost assumptions made in the financial model:

Ice Cream Shop Financial Plan Core Inputs

Ice Cream Shop Financial Plan Top Revenues Report

Ice Cream Shop Financial Plan Top Expenses Report

Ice Cream Shop Financial Plan Income Statement

Ice Cream Shop Financial Plan Cash Flow Statement

Ice Cream Shop Financial Plan Balance Sheet Statement