How to Run an Ice Cream Store
Run an ice cream store effectively, and you can have an entertaining and creative career. People buy ice cream in their spare time, often when they are socializing and having fun. You can enjoy this atmosphere and enhance it with cheery décor and friendly service. You are selling a product that people love to eat, so contribute to their experience by providing endless combinations of toppings and tastes. Ice cream is a seasonal product, so you may be busier during the summer. Relish being your own boss by following these steps on how to run an ice cream store.
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Instructions
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Get to the store early in the morning and get ready for the day. Clean the store and restock the plastic spoons, napkins and the drinks chiller. Make the ice cream and put out all the toppings, sprinkles and sauces. Clean the counter, cabinets and payment area. Everything must be spotlessly clean and laid out professionally, to evoke customer confidence. Open the store on time.
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Hire reliable employees who are friendly, punctual and motivated. Keep them working hard by paying them a fair wage, supporting and listening to them. Train the staff in customer-service skills, cleanliness and food safety. Plan the staff schedule and ensure that employees stick to it.
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Communicate with ice cream wholesalers to ensure orders are delivered complete and on time. Put stock away immediately to prevent it from spoiling. Monitor stock levels and food expiry dates. Look after your ice cream making equipment by cleaning it daily and having it serviced regularly.
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Clean the store during the day. Sweep and mop the floor. Clear and clean tables quickly, before the next customer arrives. Empty the bins regularly. Keep restocking napkins, spoons and straws. Clean the counter and serving utensils regularly. Keep one serving scoop for each flavor of ice cream, or you risk mixing and discoloring the varieties. Use one scoop for each topping to prevent them from mixing. Clean the sauce dispensers to prevent dried sauce from accumulating.
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Price the ice cream so that profits are maximized. Price too high and you'll put customers off; price too low and you'll run out of stock. Document your revenues and expenditures, and pay the bills on time. Cash-up the cash registers every day, record the takings and bank them. Work out your profits and reinvest money in the business, if possible. Invest in a new ice cream machine or carry out an advertising campaign.
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Provide excellent customer service by serving customers quickly, getting orders right, and being friendly and attentive. Handle difficult customers politely and listen to their complaints. Complaints can improve your service. Resolve problems quickly.
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Market your shop, and stick to your annual marketing budget. Advertise in local papers with a coupon to cut out and redeem in the store. Have a loyalty scheme with stamps on a card -- buy an ice cream and get a stamp. Ten stamps and the customer gets a free ice cream. Put up posters and give out flyers. Hold events in the store, like ice-cream-eating competitions, to generate awareness.
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References
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