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Step 1
Check with your state's health department to see whether you need any food handling permits. If you are making your own ice creams, you will definitely need one, in addition to a food manufacturing permit.
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Step 2
Rent a location for your ice cream store that is approved for serving food, but not next to another ice cream shop. You can get space in a shopping mall, retail strip or a stand-alone building. A location with a lot of foot traffic is ideal, as well as locations near schools, movie theaters and businesses geared toward children.
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Step 3
Purchase store equipment such as a cash register, napkins, bowls, spoons and tables and chairs for customers. You can get branded napkins and bowls to help market your business from a company such as Absorbent, Ink.
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Step 4
Get wholesale ice cream from a company such as Old Meeting House, or create your own unique ice cream recipes. You can offer gelato, sorbet and frozen yogurt in addition to ice cream.
Wholesale ice cream-making equipment can be bought from a company such as Ice Cream Equipment World or World of Gelato. -
Step 5
Buy an ice cream freezer, ice cream holders, napkin holders, dippers, scoops and topping dispensers from a retailer such as The Webstaurant Store or Instawares.
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Step 6
Launch an informational website that lists your ice cream store's contact information, business hours, company background, flavors and menu items, and any current promotions and discounts.
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Step 7
Hold a grand opening, and announce the launch of your store by sending press releases to your local newspapers, radio stations, business journals and television news stations. You are more likely to get press if you can come up with a truly creative way to launch your ice cream store.
