4 Strategies For Running A Profitable Ice Cream Truck This Summer

If you are able to make a relatively minimal financial investment, have some time, and are willing to get up close and personal with excited kids, running an ice cream truck just might be the perfect business opportunity for you. 

When done right, you can earn handsome profits, while spreading happiness throughout any neighborhood. 

But just how do you ensure boosted profits?

1. Set yourself up for success

Even children are less likely than ever to have cash these days. With that in mind, you need to offer a variety of non-currency payment solutions to make buying sweet treats as easy as possible.

Start by finding a merchant services provider. This company will assist you with all of the hardware and software necessary to process non-cash payments, including payment solutions for mobile businesses like yours.

A mobile POS system can travel with your truck wherever you go, enabling you to accept iPhone Tap to Pay transactions securely and with ease. 

With this system in place, you will now be able to capture the profits from people of all ages who might not have bills or coins, but always carry a smartphone equipped with a digital wallet.

2. Launch a social media presence

Integrating a contactless card reader into your business is just the beginning. Harness the power of social platforms like TikTok and Instagram to show off your truck, and to send out regular updates about where you will be selling your ice cream. 

By featuring engaging content about your offerings and ever-changing locations, you can create a buzz and virtually guarantee a boost in business.

3. Vary your menu selections

Social media platforms are the perfect venue to highlight seasonal adjustments to your menu. Customers have their traditional favorites, but they also love variety. 

As the year progresses, modify your menu to reflect the evolving seasonal fruits: cherries in the spring, peaches in the summer, and apples or pumpkins in the autumn.

4. Pay attention to peak hours and locations

If you aren’t yet convinced about the power of social media, consider what it can do to provide intelligence about optimal locations and times. 

Spy on your competitors’ pages to see when they are the busiest and get the most reviews, and use data from your own payment solutions for mobile businesses to learn your most productive times. 

Then make it your business to be available at the right time and place with a fully-stocked inventory, to ensure that everyone is happy and has exactly what they want.

Behind all of the sugary delight that your ice cream truck brings to children of all ages, should be a solid business infrastructure. 

When you find the right merchant services provider, leverage the power of social media, and keep customers engaged with an evolving array of selections, your ice cream truck could set profitability records this summer.