Any advice, suggestions or recommendations for someone with an ice cream truck business?

Question

We have 3 trucks, 4 drivers, and they start between 12-2 pm and go until dark. What do you think an ice cream truck should provide that would make you more likely to buy from them? Have you ever had a bad experience with an ice cream truck? (such as a driver going too fast, not stopping?)

Chips are a good idea. We do carry soda and wtaer bottles. Anything else? Anyone??

Answer 1

I've never had a bad experience with an ice cream truck. the only suggestion I would have is to stick to your schedule so people will anticipate you coming at a certain time everyday. Sometimes we would look for the ice cream truck and it wouldnt come. I know sometimes the ice cream truck would also have little bags of chips too. Little botttles of water would also probably be good this time of year.

Answer 2

This one's easy. There's a company here in my city that makes alcoholic freezies, I'm sure you'll have a company around you that does the same.

Get those, or if possible make your own alcoholic freezies, then go to your bar district and open up the truck as an adults only ice cream truck.

Think about it, people who like to drink, on hot summer days, they'll love it, especially if you have a really popular club with a big line up. May be a bit odd to try to navigate to get a liquor license, but it might be worth it.

Or just take a regular ice cream truck there.

It's brilliant really, it uses a marketing tactic that McDonalds and tobacco companies have used for a long time. You get people interested as kids, and they associate your business with pleasant childhood memories, so as they grow older they patronize your business.

So the point is that you already have a customer base that's gotten older, and they associate your products with pleasant childhood memories. So at least try taking the product to them to see if they'll bite and if it'll be worth your trouble, and if so then consider adding alcoholic ice cream.

Also you may want to rethink how you go about doing your business. You may want to go to places where kids will be in the summer, like beaches, or near water parks, or close to malls, rather than going through residential neighbourhoods.

So yeah, keep in mind the market. Kids at home usually have ice cream in the fridge, consider going to where they'll be that they'll have cash, or be close to parents with cash. And don't forget the old customers you had that've grown up, be they adults who like to party, or even seniors at a senior's home(this one can be especially good on a summer day).

Also considering the health trend, you may wish to offer multiple sizes of ice cream is possible. One size for kids, and a larger size for adults, instead of a one size fits all.

Answer 3

Vitamin Water. I buy it when I have a sweet craving and want something low cal. So when Id go over to get my kids a treat, Id get myself one. Especially when its hot. Otherwise, I wouldnt buy anything for myself and just sample something of the kids. If you're not in an area that gets many adults, it probably wouldnt sell though.


I also find baby wipes vs napkins are very handy for cleaning off sticky fingers. Oh and even the anti-bacterial ones for cleaning hands before eating.