Soft serve business guide
Start a Soft Serve Business
Add soft serve to a café or takeaway, open a dessert shop or run a van. Machines, mixes, cones and support from one supplier.
Where it sells
Where soft serve makes money
Soft serve suits almost any food business with foot traffic. Pick the format that fits your site.
Cafés and bakeries
A countertop machine adds cones and cups to the menu without a kitchen refit.
Takeaway and quick service
Cones, sundaes and shakes sell with every meal. See our QSR and chains support.
Dessert and ice cream shops
A floor-standing machine runs all day and serves a long queue.
Ice cream vans
A mobile business that goes where the crowds are. See our food van guide.
Restaurants and venues
Soft serve gives a dessert menu with little prep. See food service.
Self-serve shops
Customers pour their own and pay by weight. See our self-serve guide.
Step by step
How to start a soft serve business
Six steps from idea to the first cone.
1. Choose the format
Decide what you will sell: cones, cups, sundaes, dipped cones or shakes. The menu decides the machine.
2. Size the machine
Plan for your busiest hour, not an average day. Count the serves you expect in that hour and choose a machine that keeps up.
3. Check power and space
Most machines need a dedicated power circuit and space for air to flow. Larger machines can be water-cooled. Check before fit-out.
4. Choose the mix
Our soft serve mixes are ready to pour and run in any soft serve machine.
6. Fund, train and open
Spread the cost with finance. We train your team before opening day.
Carpigiani
Carpigiani soft serve machines
Countertop machines for cafés, takeaways and vans. Floor-standing and automatic models are on the soft serve page.
Gelmatic
Gelmatic express gelato machines
Compact Giotto machines for cafés and restaurants, and the Easy series for higher volume.
One supplier
Mixes, cones, toppings and cups
Everything you serve comes from the same supplier as your machine.
Soft serve mixes
Rubicone soft serve mixes, ready to pour. They run in any soft serve machine, whatever the brand.
Frozen yoghurt mixes
Add a second flavour with frozen yoghurt mix on the same machine.
Toppings and dips
Sauces, crumbles and toppings for sundaes and dipped cones.
Shakes
Add a shake menu with our shake program.
Recipes
Flavour ideas, plus recipes developed for your brand by our chefs.
Grow
How to grow a soft serve business
Once one site works, there are several ways to grow.
Add a second machine
A second machine adds flavours and keeps you serving while one is cleaned.
Widen the menu
Add shakes, sundaes or frozen yoghurt without a new kitchen.
Open more sites
We supply chains with the same machines and mix at every site, from first store to national rollout.
Refit the store
We can connect you with shop fit-out partners.
How we help
Support and finance
We stay with you after opening day.
Free showroom demo
See the machines running with our mixes before you buy. Book a demo.
Training
Hands-on training for your team on running, cleaning and looking after the machines.
Parts and service
Genuine spare parts, maintenance and our own technicians.
Finance
Spread the cost of the equipment and keep cash for fit-out, stock and marketing.
Majors TV & news
Latest news and videos
Events, new machines and training related to frozen yoghurt, from Majors Group and Carpigiani.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a soft serve business?
It depends on the format. A café adding one countertop machine needs far less than a shop or van. Call 1800 625 677 for a quote on machines, mix and packaging.
Which soft serve machine should I buy?
Start with your busiest hour and the menu you want. A countertop machine suits most cafés and vans. Floor-standing machines suit shops with long queues.
Will your mixes work in my existing machine?
Yes. Our soft serve, frozen yoghurt and açaí mixes run in any soft serve machine. If the settings need adjusting, our team helps.
Do I need special power for a soft serve machine?
Most machines need a dedicated circuit. Some larger machines need three-phase power or water cooling. Check with an electrician before fit-out.
Can I put my brand on the cups?
Yes. We supply custom-printed cups and packaging.
Can I finance the machine?
Yes. Finance is available to spread the cost. Call 1800 625 677.
Do you train my staff?
Yes. We train your team to run, clean and look after the machine, and we provide parts and service.