Starting a street dessert business with an ice cream trailer requires sufficient market research, appropriate equipment selection, diversified product strategies, appropriate stall location and time selection, effective marketing promotion and brand building, and strict food safety and hygiene management.
Market research and positioning
- Understand market demand: First, you need to conduct research on the local market to understand consumers’ preferences, taste requirements and consumption habits for ice cream. This will help you determine the positioning and pricing strategy of your product.
- Analyze the competitive environment: Investigate the number, scale, business strategy, etc. of surrounding competitors, and choose an area with relatively less competition and conducive to your own development to set up a stall. At the same time, you can also learn some experience and lessons from your competitors.
Prepare ice cream trailers and equipment
- Purchase ice cream trailers: Choose a suitable ice cream trailer according to your budget and needs. Make sure the trailer has good mobility, stability and safety.
- Configure ice cream making equipment: Purchase high-quality ice cream making equipment, such as ice cream machines, freezers, etc. These equipment should be efficient, energy-saving and easy to operate.
- Select raw materials: Choose high-quality ice cream raw materials, such as dairy products, sugar, fruits, etc. Make sure the raw materials are fresh, healthy and pollution-free.
Formulate product strategies
- Diversify product flavors: Provide a variety of flavors of ice cream, such as chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, etc. to meet the needs of different consumers. At the same time, you can also try innovative flavors, such as adding Chinese ingredients or combining with other foods.
- Focus on health elements: Launch healthy ice cream products such as low sugar, low fat, and no additives to meet consumers’ demand for healthy food.
- Design unique packaging: Design attractive and recognizable ice cream packaging to enhance the product’s image and brand value.
Choose the location and time of the stall
- Crowded areas: Choose crowded areas such as commercial blocks, tourist attractions, and around schools to set up stalls. These areas have a high passenger flow and potential number of consumers.
- Consider seasonal factors: Ice cream is a highly seasonal product, and summer is the peak sales season. Therefore, you need to adjust the time and location of the stall according to seasonal changes.
- Avoid peak competition: Avoid competing with large ice cream shops or chain stores in the same time period and location. You can choose to set up stalls during non-peak hours or in surrounding areas to reduce competitive pressure.
Marketing promotion and brand building
- Social media promotion: Use social media platforms (such as WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, etc.) to promote and promote products. Publish content such as ice cream production process, product pictures, and promotions to attract consumers’ attention and interest.
- Offline activities: Organize tasting activities, discount promotions, and other activities to attract consumers to taste and buy. At the same time, you can also cooperate with other businesses to promote products together.
- Word-of-mouth marketing: Provide high-quality services and products to satisfy consumers and make them willing to share with people around them. Word-of-mouth marketing is an important way to enhance brand awareness and reputation.
Pay attention to food safety and hygiene
- Comply with relevant laws and regulations: Understand and comply with local laws and regulations on food safety and hygiene to ensure the legality and safety of products.
- Keep equipment clean: Clean ice cream making equipment and trailer interior regularly to ensure product hygiene and quality.
- Properly dispose of waste: Properly dispose of ice cream packaging and other waste to avoid pollution to the environment.
