How to Run a Successful Shaved Ice Business

Shaved ice and snow cones both make a delicious treat on hot summer days.

One of the snack industry's most lucrative summer treats is shaved ice. Shaved ice, like snow cones, is quite cheap to manufacture, its two ingredients being ice and flavored syrup. The only difference is how finely the ice is ground. Shaved ice is ground a lot finer and is considerably more fluffy and absorbent than snow cone ice. Because of this it melts faster and is served in a cup with a spoon rather than a cone.

Things You'll Need

• Shaved ice cart
• Permanent business residence (optional)
• Ice shaver
• Flavored syrups
• Cups
• Spoons

Instructions

1. Choose what seasons you want to work and which seasons you're going to take off. This decision should be based upon the average temperature per month in your area. A business that only sells a few shaved ice treats a day is not a profitable business, and unless you live somewhere that remains warm all year round it's not worth it to be open all year round.

2. Purchase a well-stocked, up-to-code shaved ice cart. Even if your business is located in one central location shaved ice is most profitable when it's portable, especially for special occasions and very hot days.

3. Rent a booth or tent at the state fair, local carnival, or seasonal amusement park. Statistically these locations have a high volume of sales, and even without a significant price hike your additional sales will cover the rental fee for your location.

4. Frequent local parks for community and holiday events. Modify your product to cater to the events, such as selling red white and blue shaved ice on the fourth of July. At these events try wrapping your shaved ice cups in advertisements for your business rather than napkins, so people will remember your business even if it's too dark to see your logo at the time of purchase.

5. Consider selling a few additional items like soda, chips or cotton candy. These additional items not only draw customers in, they invite customers to spend more by tempting them with an after-shaved-ice snack. Popcorn is a good option, as it's cheap to manufacture and does well in almost any environment.

6. Study the demographics of your targeted business area. Try to pinpoint a few flavors and/or snacks that may appeal to that general population. For example, if your target demographic is mainly Hispanic, you may want to concentrate on offering traditional Mexican flavors, like mango or pineapple.

References

• Business Plans Handbook. Ed. William Harmer and Terrence W. Peck. Vol. 6. Detroit: Gale Group, 1999
• Business Essentials 5th. Edition, Erbert and Griffin, 2003

Resources

• Shaved ice flavor guide