If you have a passion for making ice cream, can come up with some great flavors, and bring something special to the market, then a start-up manufacturing ice cream is an option.
In this post, we will go over the steps to take for starting your ice cream manufacturing business, then a few points to consider, followed by a collection of resources you can use during the start-up phase and when your business is in operation.
Steps to Starting an Ice Cream Manufacturing Business
1. Make Sure Running a Business Is Right For You
Owning and operating a business isn’t for everyone. There are long hours, a lot of responsibility, and nothing is guaranteed. You must start a business for the right reasons, or when problems arise, you’ll be looking for a way out instead of solutions.
You need to check the link below to ensure you are on the right track.
For more, see Business Startup Considerations.
2. Research
The better your research, the more confident you’ll be, and the fewer surprises will appear.
Business Research
You need to get advice from the most important people, and they are the ones that are in the business.
So how do you get in touch with them, and will they give you the time of day? Which is a good question.
The link below offers a few exercises that will have you talking to the right people.
See An Inside Look Into the Business You Want To Start for more.
Target Audience
You need to know as much as you can about your target audience. Understanding your customers before you start your business also helps you to make adjustments so your business is set up for your customers from the beginning.
Once your business is in operation, you will have more success with your advertising because you understand more about your target audience.
For more, see, How To Understand Your Target Market.
3. Setup Considerations
Your goals will remain unclear, and you will jump from idea to idea without a clear picture of how your business will operate when it is open.
Answer the following questions to gain clarity.
- Are you planning a simple operation or a full-blown manufacturing plant?
- Are you planning to sell your ice cream retail or to the wholesale market?
- Are you planning on creating your own brands of ice cream?
- Do you have the skills to manufacture ice cream, or will you hire experts?
Your goals may change during your research, and that’s okay. But, for now, start with a vision to help you through the setup phase.
4. Choosing The Right Business Location
Your location is an important factor. If you locate in an area with no demand, there is no use opening. On the other hand, if you locate your business in an area with high competition, you will have difficulty getting a piece of the market.
If you are targeting the wholesale market, you must be located in an area where you can ship ice cream directly to your retail customers.
For more, see Choosing The Best Location for Your Business.
5. Choose a Business Name
When choosing a business name, consider that this will be the name you have for as long as you own your business. Business names rarely change unless there is a merger or the company is bought out; therefore, you want to spend some time making sure you register a name that is appropriate and catchy.
Your website will also require a matching domain name, so you’ll need to verify that both the business name and the domain name are available.
For this important step, see How To Register a Business Name.
6. Business Registration
Registering your business is an important step. You want to ensure everything is legal and choose the correct business structure. I suggest you consult a professional, especially if you plan to start an ice cream production plant.
See, How to Register Your Business for all the details and see our page on business permits.
7. Create Your Corporate ID
A corporate ID is a combination of components. For example, it may include a logo, business cards, stationary, promotional items, a website, etc.
You’ll want a professional design because your Corporate ID is the face of your company, and you want to impress your customers.
See A Complete Introduction to Corporate Identity Packages for more.
8. Estimating Your Start-up Cost
Your target market will determine how large a manufacturing operation you’ll need to set up. You may be able to start with the bare minimum and a contingency plan to expand if your product takes off quickly. You’ll need to have adequate funding as well as plans for funding if expansion is needed.
Your estimate must be as accurate as possible because under or over-estimating will result in problems. If you’re over, the business may be too risky, and acquiring funding may be difficult. If you’re under, you may run out of money before you can open your doors.
Start by listing everything you’ll need, and as you’re getting pricing for each of your items, other issues will appear that you may not have considered, and you can update your list.
For more, see, Estimating Start-up Costs: Are you Missing Anything? Also, see, Business Expenses To Consider.
9. Writing a Business Plan
Your business plan is important because it’s your roadmap for success. You’ll know where and how to get there with a professional business plan.
You will need a business plan if you’re planning on getting investors or a business loan.
Banks and lenders will not even process your loan application without a professional business plan, and investors won’t even look at your proposal without a plan to review.
There are a few options for creating one for the details. See the link below. 
For details, see How to Write a Business Plan.
10. Set up Your Banking
In this step, you choose a bank, set up your checking account, and set up a merchant account so you can accept credit card payments. When it comes to choosing a bank, it’s more about the banker than it is the bank.
When you have a good relationship with your banker, they can offer you financial advice and help you with loan applications, and may be able to help when you’re in a financial pinch.
You’re just another customer without a good working relationship with your banker, so choosing a banker with whom you can work and build a strong relationship is to your benefit.
For more, see, How to Open a Business Bank Account and What Is a Merchant Account, and How to Get One.
11. Get the Funding for Your Operation
In this step, it’s time to get the funds you need to start and operate your business. You should have completed the step for estimating your start-up cost, and naturally, you want a few months ahead for operating costs. Now it’s time to make copies of your business plan and meet with lenders to discuss a start-up loan.
Be aware that banks would rather fund a successful, established business than take a chance on a risky start-up; therefore, you must have a professional business plan and the collateral necessary to cover the loan.
Again a good relationship with your banker can help you move things along.
For ideas, see our article, Getting a Small Business Loan.
12. Software Setup
This step focuses on the software you’ll need to run your business, a expert in manufacturing can get you started in the right direction, you can start by doing some online research.
13. Get The Right Business Insurance
You must have sufficient coverage for customers, employees, and your property.
A knowledgeable insurance broker can help you make sure you have adequate coverage in case of an incident at your business.
For more, see What to Know About Business Insurance.
14. Choose Suppliers
Suppliers you choose can make or break your business, especially if you’re considering a large manufacturing plant.
To emphasize this concept imagine having a plant running and your main ingredient is cut off because your supplier didn’t deliver it.
As a result, you have employees on site who can’t produce ice cream and customers waiting because you can’t deliver your product as promised. As a result, you have lost money, wages, sales, and customer confidence. Therefore it’s imperative to choose your suppliers wisely.
See, How To Choose a Supplier for tips and insights.
15. Physical Setup
For this step, you’ll focus on the physical setup of your business.
Layout
You need to define the layout of your manufacturing area, whether it’s a huge plant or a small operation. Then, it must be organized and set up correctly to manufacture ice cream effectively.
If you’re considering a manufacturing plant, I recommend bringing in a professional to design the layout. On the other hand, if you’re thinking of a small operation, ensure that it’s laid out effectively with enough room to move around and work.
Office
You’ll spend a lot of time managing your business from your office. Therefore, you want it set up correctly. In addition, you want your office fully equipped and organized so that you are productive.
See, Here are Considerations for The Setup of Your Office for the details.
Company Sign
In addition to the above, you’ll also want to get your business sign installed. Your sign should incorporate your logo and have an excellent design that matches your operation.
For more, see, All About Company Signs.
16. Creating a Website
Your website is an invaluable tool. It lets you inform your customers whether you’re targeting a wholesale or retail market. It’s also a marketing tool and a means of interacting with them.
Some businesses will opt to have a Facebook page instead of a website. A Facebook page is a good marketing tool, but it shouldn’t be your main property online; instead, your website is your main property because you have full control over a website when you register your domain name and sign up for a hosting account. Therefore focus on your website, and you can have a Facebook page in addition to your website.
You will want to register a domain name and sign up for a decent hosting account to ensure you have full control over your website. For more, see our page on How to Build a Website.
17. Create an External Support Team
An external support team is a group of people you use for advice and services. Your support team isn’t on your payroll but gets paid either hourly, by contract, a retainer, or buy the job.
Your external support team may consist of the following; a lawyer, an accountant, various consultants, an IT professional, engineers, a marketing expert, etc. building your team can take a few months or even a few years, and you don’t have to wait until the team is complete until you use them. Still, once your team is in place, they will help you take your business to the next level and be there in case of problems.
For more, see, Building a Team of Professional Advisors.
18. Hiring Employees
If you’re planning on a small operation, you may be planning to do everything yourself, and that’s a smart move because payroll is a major expense for many businesses. However, when it’s time to hire, you want to make sure you hire the correct person for each position available and only hire for the necessary positions.
For more, see, How and When to Hire a New Employee.
Considerations
From the above, you have an overview of what it takes to start your ice cream manufacturing business.
Getting Customers Through The Door
Now it’s time to think about how you’re going to get customers because, without customers, you don’t have a real business. So if you’re planning on a small operation where customers buy directly from you, see our article for tips and insights to get customers through the door.
Grand Opening
A grand opening is another marketing technique to bring awareness to your business. A successful one must be memorable and get people talking to spread the word about your business.
For an overview, see, How To Plan a Grand Opening.
More Marketing Ideas
See our marketing section to spark your creativity for more ideas to bring awareness to your business.
Points to Consider
Next, we will examine a few considerations about an ice cream manufacturing business. 
Point 1
You may come up with an ice cream flavor that you like and think will sell, but your business will fail if no one purchases it from you. So you have to create the flavors your customers want.
Point 2
If you’re considering a wholesale market, the start-up phase is tricky. First, you must be able to get orders, and when you get those orders, you must be able to supply them promptly. When starting, the key is doing a few test runs with retail outlets willing to test your product in their stores.
Point 3
As with any food product, numerous agencies and permits are required before you can manufacture and sell your goods to the market. Therefore, you’ll want to do your research and talk to the right people to gain a full understanding of what’s involved in the process.
Point 4
As with any brand, it’s tough to launch, and once it’s successful, you need to maintain a high standard of quality for your brand.
Point 5
There is a lot to consider in manufacturing. Many businesses have grown from small operations to become billion-dollar brands. Whether you’re looking to supply the local area or become a national brand, look at articles related to building a manufacturing plant.