As one of the oldest and most traditional types of mobile food trucks, ice cream trucks have a special place in the hearts of many Americans. The excitement of hearing one approach is something many adults recall fondly, so it’s no surprise that prospective entrepreneurs want to bring the same joy to new generations. If you’re considering an ice cream truck business, here’s what you need to do to get started.

Acquire Equipment

First and foremost, you’ll need an actual ice cream truck. Mobile food truck providers offer the convenience of vehicles which are already equipped to store frozen goods, so you won’t have to spend time trying to transform a van for food sale on your own.

Your truck should be equipped with freezers and generators, as well as point-of-sale (POS) systems. You’ll also want to consider a music player and amplification system to play the telltale ice cream truck song for everyone to hear.

Lastly, you’ll need the product—ice cream. Decide whether you’ll be serving it up cone-style or through traditional packaged selections. Finally, ice cream trucks require licenses and health permits, along with business insurance.

Plan a Route

A key factor behind ice cream truck success is knowing when and where to visit. Staying local is a wise way to start, as you probably already know when people in your area are most likely to be out and about.

Think about local sports practices or games, when school gets out, and the times people are most likely to be finishing dinner. Areas like outdoor parks, neighborhoods with lots of families, and lakes are ideal spots to visit.

Market Your Ice Cream Truck

Ice cream trucks have a unique business model. Typically, they have customers flocking to them when they make their rounds. It’s still wise to market your truck to attract as large a customer base as possible.

Consider putting up flyers to let locals know when you’ll be passing through, and make sure your truck stands out. Through a mobile food truck company, you can customize your truck with an eye-catching design that turns heads throughout your route.

If you’re considering an ice cream truck business, turn to Shanghai Mobile Kitchen Solutions for all your equipment needs. As a leader in the mobile food truck industry, this New York City-based company serves major East Coast regions, including Boston, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Maryland, and North Carolina. Get inspired by browsing through their gallery online or call (800) 253-4815 to discuss your goals with one of their team members.