What Do Ice Cream Trucks Sell in Winter? Operating an Ice Cream Truck

Starting Your Business

To run an ice cream truck you need to:

Assess the resources needed to start your business.
Decide what type of ice cream to sell.
Choose and purchase your equipment.
Plan your route.

Equipment and Licenses Required

Ice cream van operators will need:

Local authority registration
Street trader licence
Licence to sell alcohol (if applicable)
Public liability insurance
Employer’s liability insurance

Sales Strategies and Alternatives

Some ice cream truck owners may choose to sell ice cream in winter to:

Pay up rent and have a year-round season for ice cream.

Selling hot drinks is a great way to drive sales when ice cream consumption is down, especially in places like college campuses and office districts.

Ice cream truck owners will winterize their truck or travel to a different region for events or festivals to continue selling products during winter.

Profitability

How much does the typical ice cream man make?

The salaries of Ice Cream Men in the US range from $16,890 to $26,780, with a median salary of $19,230.
A successful ice cream truck business can expect to take in $200-300 a day, or up to $1,000 on holidays, with an average monthly income of $5,000 (working 20 days a week).
Average expenses tally up to around $2,500 a month.

The average startup cost for an ice cream truck is around $1,500.

Seasonal Flavors to Attract Customers

The best way for an ice cream shop to sell ice cream in winter is to focus on seasonal winter flavors like:

Pumpkin spice
Snickerdoodle
Eggnog
Peppermint
Apple pie
Mint thin
Cinnamon
Chocolate orange

Seasonal Variations in Sales

Ice cream consumption is highest during July and August. During the winter months, many ice cream shops experience a decrease in customers and a loss of income.