How to Start a Gelato Business

Part 1 - How to start a Gelato business - Background

Gelato started getting more attention in the late 1990s and really started to pick up steam in the early 2000s. It falls under the $14.3 billion a year ice cream industry, and recently experienced an uptick in sales. There is a distinct market trend showing customers want to pay more for premium ice cream treats like gelato.

Our guide is in 3 parts:

• Part 1 - How to start a Gelato Bar business - Background
• Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
• Part 3 - Action plan to get started

What are the costs involved in opening a gelato business?

Besides rent and employee salaries, owners will need to register their business and obtain all permits from both the state and local government. A health inspector will need to visit before approving the business, too. The total for these fees vary widely based on where you are and how much profit you expect to make, so the range can be anywhere from a several hundred dollars to up to $8,000 or more. Typically, you can expect to pay less if you’re in a less desirable area.

Owners will need commercial insurance for things like workers’ compensation and liability protection. Average annual commercial insurance costs for food-service small businesses are around $3,000, but each business is judged individually. Initial supplies are the gelato-making equipment (freezers, mixers, etc.), disposable plasticware, cash register and a display case. An attractive display case will cost between $5,000 to $7,000, and a 6-quart mixer will run you about $5,000. A basic cash register will only cost a few hundred, but you may want to invest in better technology which will put you closer to $1,000. Owners will need a computer to keep track of finances and schedules as well as tables and chairs. A nice table/chair set may be around $250.

Total you can expect to spend between $15,000 to $25,000 in start up costs.

What are the ongoing expenses for a gelato business?

Typically, an owner will have the following ongoing expenses:

• Equipment maintenance

• Employee salaries

• Ordering expenses

• Permit renewals

Who is the target market?

Owners need to attract a crowd who is willing to pay for a premium experience when they want a fast but delicious dessert. The ideal customer would be someone who lives near the store who will consistently look to your business as their go-to for quality treats. You may also want to attract those who primarily want a coffee shop, but with a bit of a twist.

How does a gelato business make money?

A gelato bar serves Italian-style ice cream to paying clients in a variety of forms (e.g., in shakes, cones, cups, etc.) Gelato bars may also offer other products, such as specialty coffee.

As owner, you will need to account for location costs (rent, inflation, etc.), employee salaries, and the cost of ingredients. They will then have to determine a price for each individual menu item that will cover these costs and allow for a profit. It is not recommended that a gelato bar try for a budget angle due to the cost and effort to make the products.

How much can you charge customers?

One general rule of thumb (which differs for each owner depending on where they operate) is to charge 3 to 4 times the cost of the raw ingredients. So if one scoop of gelato costs $.75, then the appropriate cost for a customer to pay might be around $3. The same can be said for specialty coffee drinks as well. A well-maintained shop with fancy amenities can allow you to charge even more.

How much profit can a gelato business make?

It’s difficult to estimate as it really does depend on location and price points. In general, you can expect about a third of the budget to go towards raw ingredients and a third to go to employees. The rest will typically go toward equipment and rent costs.

How can you make your business more profitable?

One easy way is to upsell your customers to larger portion sizes, specialty flavors, extra espresso shots, etc. However, you can also expand into offering better coffee or more coffee options, as well as cakes, pastries, and other treats. Get more people hooked by opening up local stands at major events.

Day-to-Day and Growth

What happens during a typical day at a gelato business?

Owners must hire the right staff, advertise their business, and find the best location to attract hungry crowds. A typical day may have the following to-do list:

• Order supplies

• Create a budget

• Perform hands-on customer service

• Schedule employee shifts

• Commission work for the company website

• Respond to customer concerns on feedback sites like Yelp

• Ensure all food and beverages are being made responsibly and up to company standards

Ordering must anticipate higher volumes of customers without wasting too much product. To a certain extent, an owner may be able to distance themselves from the actual production of the gelato, but it helps to have a full understanding of all sides of the business.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful gelato business?

Owners should have a lot experience in the food service industry, including customer service, production, and management. They should have a good understanding of what it takes to give customers a consistent experience no matter when they walk through the door. A formal education such as an MBA or culinary school will certainly help, but the real value lies in having a thorough understanding of how each employee works together to form a cohesive team that can produce and serve superior tasting gelato.

What is the growth potential for a gelato business?

From 2013 to 2014, the amount of people purchasing gelato increased by 247%, and has achieved modest gains since then. The amount of gelato purchased in stores and from neighborhood businesses is predicted to remain strong, however the overall trends do not necessarily point to growth spikes as high as were seen a few years ago.

The most successful shops are rooted in innovative flavors (e.g., toast and jam, olive oil) and standard dessert menu items (e.g., cakes, pies, specialty sundaes.) Gelato bars are most likely to do well in large cities where residents are always looking for a little novelty. As long as the business can change with the times, there should be plenty of room for growth.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a gelato business?

Start with a variety of flavors, and over time you can weed out ones that aren’t popular. Most people can read through up to 25 flavor names before they start to feel overwhelmed. Offer samples as though your business depends on it — because it does. Your job is to get customers hooked on a certain taste they can’t find anywhere else. You may also want to shell out more money for employees who really know their way around customer service. New businesses will need to make a stellar first impression, and it will be hard to find employees willing to go the extra mile if you’re only paying minimum wage.

How and when to build a team

Building a team is all about defining the core qualities of employees. Your employees should be able to work under extreme pressure, and they always be looking for ways to make customers happy. Even the most demanding and picky person can be won over by genuinely good customer service. The best time to build your team is right at the beginning, so you can form a core group of people who want to see through what they started.

Part 2 - Is a Gelato business the right fit for you?

Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Gelato business in 90 days