Flavor Concentrates are also available if you prefer to make your own Syrup. Ralph's flavor concentrates contain the finest ingredients available. All of our concentrates are available in over 150 flavors. We also have a full line of supplies and accessories, as well as snow cone machines. In a nutshell, we have everything you need to start your own snow cone business.
The Ralph’s guarantee: We promise high quality, fast and friendly service and big discounts on all of our products. You can count on Ralph's SnoBall Supply for premium quality products and Supplies.
How To Start Your Own Snow Cone Business
Snow Cone Business or Shaved Ice Business – How To Start Your Own
Operating A Successful Snow Cone Business or Shaved Ice Business Is Profitable
The Snow Cone Business or Shaved Ice Business can generate huge net income. Obviously, you are interested in starting a Snow Cone Business. Otherwise, you would not be reading this article. So, we will not bore you with sentence after sentence of unnecessary chatter. We are going to keep it short and simple.
You can choose either a permanent location or a mobile unit. However, after more than 30 years in the business, we have found permanent locations to be more profitable and easier to operate. By the way, many independent snow cone stands perform better than franchises.
Now, a word about profit. ASTRONOMICAL. That is all that we are going to say about profit right now. We will tell you what the profit margin is later.
Six Steps For Starting A Snow Cone Business
1. Getting The Scoop On The Legalities
The first thing you need to do is find out whether or not your city or state will permit you to establish a snow cone stand. Contact city hall, the state tax office and the health department. They will be more than happy to tell you what the legal requirements are for establishing a snow cone business. The fee that the health department and the tax office charge for snow cone stands is minimal in most states. It would be wise to start with a telephone call and simply ask for information.
2. Getting Started
Gather snow cone business intelligence by visiting various snow cone stands with pad and pen in hand and maybe a camera. Note things such as location, a volume of business, size of the building, menu, cup size and price, business hours, number of employees, the arrangement of equipment etc. Compare these stands and try to determine which ones get more business and why they get more business. This information will be valuable as you plan and establish your own business. If you have a friend or relative who operates a successful snow cone business you should ask them for advice. Successful people can help you become successful. Your geographical area will determine the length of the snow cone season. Some snow cone stands are open all year long.
3. Getting A Location
Without a doubt, this is the most important step of all! Even if you complete all of the other steps perfectly the business venture will fail if you don’t get this one right. The most successful snow cone stands get a combination of pedestrian traffic, bicycle traffic and automobile traffic. If you want your business to perform at the maximum of its potential, it must be located in an area that is conducive to these three types of traffic. A location on the corner of two intersecting highways or busy streets with a nearby neighborhood is an excellent choice. This is the cream of the crop location, so to speak. Try to find a location with an existing building. Almost any shape or form of building can be used for a snow cone stand. However, the location must be easily accessible and It must have lots of parking space. Although you can do very well without it, a drive-thru will increase the volume of business. And remember, it is better to have a building that is too big than to have a building that is too small.Don’t be discouraged if you can’t get the perfect location because there are other locations that can be very lucrative. Do your homework and take note of successful snow cone stands that are doing very well in their locations.
4. Getting Equipment
Once the location is secured it’s time to round up some equipment. First of all, decide whether you want to invest in used or new equipment. Don’t half-step when you choose an Ice Shaver because the quality of the shaved ice determines the quality of the snow cone. The Snowie Ice Shaver is hard to beat. It is available at Ralph’s SnoBall Supply. Here is a list of equipment you will need for your snow cone stand:
1. Cash Register (optional) – A money drawer or box may be used instead.
2. Ice Maker (optional) – Ice may be available locally.
3. Refrigerator (optional) – For perishable items such as cream topping. (can be kept on ice)
4. Freezer (must have) – Preferably frost free for storing ice.
5. Ice Shaver (must have) – Choose one that produces soft fluffy ice.
5. Getting Products And Supplies
This may be the last step but it is by no means the least. Superb flavors are just as important as soft fluffy ice and one won’t work well without the other. You must have finely shaved ice and excellent flavors to produce snow cones that will sell. And another thing, the more flavors you have the more snow cones you will sell. Some customers will want to try all the flavors. The easy route is to purchase ready to use syrup. However, you can purchase concentrate and make your own syrup. Having said that, we think Ralph’s SnoBall Supply, Inc. http://www.snowballsupply.com is the best place to purchase products and supplies. You can get discounts on most items.
Here’s a list of products and supplies needed:
1. Snow Cone Syrup or Snow Cone Concentrate
2. Mixing Container – for making syrup
3. Long Handle Spoon or Paddle – for stirring
4. Preservatives – for extending shelf life of snow cone syrup
5. Cups – use several different sizes – small, medium and large
6. Spoon Straws
7. Pour Bottles or Pump Jugs – for dispensing snow cone syrup
6. Getting Customers
Snow Cone Stands attracts people almost like a magnet attracts metal. Just display your OPEN sign.
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