Ice Cream Truck Company Suggestions

Hi Folks,

Wondering if anyone out there has any experience with specific ice cream truck companies and would be willing to share?  After a fairly successful season of Italian Ice, we're looking to make things a little easier on ourselves and expand a bit.  It seems the best way to do this is to take our existing pushcart and put it into a mobile unit as we've been a little hindered by the weight of the pushcart.

Soooo, now the research begins for a company that can fix us up a good used vehicle (high-top cargo van, sprinter, or box truck) with the necessary things and a few extras (serving window is a must!).  Specifically I'm looking for actual experiences with companies, NOT just a laundry list of names of companies (there are plenty out there and google has been helpful). 

Perhaps you've dealt with a company or know someone who has.  I'm just looking for experiences, both good and bad to help narrow down the decision a little.

Thanks in advance!
Stephanie

Well this one is in the same town I live in and he has built a pretty good reputation.
http://www.joeysicecream.com/

Good Luck
  Jim

Thanks, Jim - that's helpful!  We were actually looking at that company - reasonable prices and we have a lot of control over the vehicle make and model.

Stephanie

Sort of off topic but,

Why dont Ice Cream Trucks convert to Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Pastry and Doughnut trucks for the winter? I bet if you drove around in the early evening you would make a killing. Free Idea for someone....Russ

Russ Jackson


Sort of off topic but,

Why dont Ice Cream Trucks convert to Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Pastry and Doughnut trucks for the winter? I bet if you drove around in the early evening you would make a killing. Free Idea for someone....Russ

 
More Ice Cream is sold in the winter months than any other time.
Baffles me but dealt with Ice Cream companies for years and it's true.  

Curbside Grill

Russ Jackson


Sort of off topic but,

Why dont Ice Cream Trucks convert to Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Pastry and Doughnut trucks for the winter? I bet if you drove around in the early evening you would make a killing. Free Idea for someone....Russ

 
More Ice Cream is sold in the winter months than any other time.
Baffles me but dealt with Ice Cream companies for years and it's true.  

I believe more Ice Cream is sold in the winter. But in Ohio and Michigan there are no Ice Cream Trucks on the road during fall and winter...Russ

Curbside Grill

Russ Jackson


Sort of off topic but,

Why dont Ice Cream Trucks convert to Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Pastry and Doughnut trucks for the winter? I bet if you drove around in the early evening you would make a killing. Free Idea for someone....Russ

 
More Ice Cream is sold in the winter months than any other time.
Baffles me but dealt with Ice Cream companies for years and it's true.  

This must be a regional thing Mike.  Friends of mine own a successful ice cream business.  They run 10 trucks during the season.  Once the mercury drops below 55, their sales nose dive.

Russ Jackson


Sort of off topic but,

Why dont Ice Cream Trucks convert to Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Pastry and Doughnut trucks for the winter? I bet if you drove around in the early evening you would make a killing. Free Idea for someone....Russ

Interesting idea.  I always thought that most doughnuts, pastries and coffee were consumed during the morning hours.

There's breakfast pastry & dessert pastry. I never think of donuts as a breakfast item. But I usually do not eat breakfast in the morning anyway. Hmm. That might not make much sense.

Russ Jackson

Curbside Grill

Russ Jackson


Sort of off topic but,

Why dont Ice Cream Trucks convert to Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Pastry and Doughnut trucks for the winter? I bet if you drove around in the early evening you would make a killing. Free Idea for someone....Russ

 
More Ice Cream is sold in the winter months than any other time.
Baffles me but dealt with Ice Cream companies for years and it's true.  

I believe more Ice Cream is sold in the winter. But in Ohio and Michigan there are no Ice Cream Trucks on the road during fall and winter...Russ

 
Yes you are probally right. More novelty ice cream treats do better in warmer times. But overall Ice Cream sales take a big jump in winter. I just cannot see eating ice cream in Iowa at 0 degrees. Me a hot toddy wagon works. Hum idea here. Hot Buttered Rum Wagon
Sorry off thread again.

ice queen


Hi Folks,

Wondering if anyone out there has any experience with specific ice cream truck companies and would be willing to share?  After a fairly successful season of Italian Ice, we're looking to make things a little easier on ourselves and expand a bit.  It seems the best way to do this is to take our existing pushcart and put it into a mobile unit as we've been a little hindered by the weight of the pushcart.

Soooo, now the research begins for a company that can fix us up a good used vehicle (high-top cargo van, sprinter, or box truck) with the necessary things and a few extras (serving window is a must!).  Specifically I'm looking for actual experiences with companies, NOT just a laundry list of names of companies (there are plenty out there and google has been helpful). 

Perhaps you've dealt with a company or know someone who has.  I'm just looking for experiences, both good and bad to help narrow down the decision a little.

Thanks in advance!
Stephanie

 
Just looking and quite a few used Ice Cream Trucks out there. Could be adapted for a savings, in my book a plus. Cold Plate refigeration, do not know what you require.

Thanks for the ideas, folks.  We would actually like to get something that could be used to serve other items - maybe the little doughnuts, lemon shake-ups, etc.  There was a woman at our county fair that had a set-up and she sold a little bit of everything (although no meal-type offerings, just 'junk' food) - she had the longest line there!

We've got the cold plate freezer, so really we just need something to put it in that has a serving window, counter space, and probably a three comp. sink.  We just know we don't want to go the trailer route - it needs to be drivable.

Stephanie

Stephanie,
 
I am on the venture of starting my own ice cream cart business and was wondering if you can give me any advice on some of the biggest challenges that you had faced when starting out.  Any advice would be very helpful and appreciated.  I too live in Virginia and was wondering how much you need to do in order to get started.  Again, any advice would be great. 
 
Thanks,
Paul
 
P.S. Where is Ruther Glen, VA?

paul v


Stephanie,
 
I am on the venture of starting my own ice cream cart business and was wondering if you can give me any advice on some of the biggest challenges that you had faced when starting out.  Any advice would be very helpful and appreciated.  I too live in Virginia and was wondering how much you need to do in order to get started.  Again, any advice would be great. 
 
Thanks,
Paul
 
P.S. Where is Ruther Glen, VA?

Paul
You need to read the Roadfood FAQ and then go talk to your local health Department. No one here is going to be able to give you word for word your local HD requirements. And without those guide lines you'll waste a lot of time and money.
Good luck
Jack

Hi Paul,

Definitely start out with the health department and get the reqs for your county.  I know my permit is good statewide so I doubt things vary too much by county.  The catch is it sounds like you are looking to sell ice cream, which is considered hazardous because of the dairy.  I sell Italian Ice, which has no dairy.  You also get into all sorts of different situations depending on whether you want to sell pre-packaged novelties or hand-dipped ice cream (if you're scooping it you will likely need a handsink on the cart, at a minimum).  So start with the health dept and be prepared to get the run-around a bit.  Stick with it and eventually you'll catch someone who will sit and talk with you.  Good luck and keep us posted!

Stephanie (Ruther Glen is south of Fredericksburg - lived in Fairfax for a number of years though)

Jack,
 
Thanks for the advice.  You're right, i'm taking the first steps with the local court and then do the HD. 
 
Paul

Stephanie,
 
Thanks for getting back to me.  I am currently making phone calls to the local court here in Prince William about acquiring the license, then to the HD.  Are all the licenses statewide that you know of?  BTW... did you find your ice cream truck(s) yet?  I used to live in Fairfax before I moved across the border into PWC.  I too am really looking into the Italian Ice due to most of the health requirements involving the dairy.  I have worked in restaurants for some time now and know how much of a pain in the @$# they can be.  I understand you started with the Italian Ice...any tips on equipment, marketing or events would be very nice.  To make it easier you can contact me at
 
Thanks again for your time and advice.  Look forward to hearing from you soon.
 
Paul

Hi Russ,
 
 I am doing what you mentioned. The business is usually over in September but this year I converted over to Hot Dogs, hot chocolate, and hostess snacks. It works out well but business does stop around December for about a month or so. Business for me usually starts in March anyway so I am not too far away from the normal season starting. Please don't let anyone tell you that ice cream trucks make no money. They are just foolish and jealous. Its the greatest thing I ever did. I make from $200 - $400 a day. Thats real money!!!!

Hi Stephanie,
 
If you are looking for advise. i might be able to help you. I own my own ice cream/ hot Dog business. You need to go to your Town hall to aquire a permit. You dont need to worry about the town inspecting your truck unless you are selling soft serve ice cream. Get back to me if you have any questions. Its what I do and what I know andI will help you out any way I can.