Permits and Licenses
Licenses and Permits Needed to Operate an Ice Cream Truck
Obtaining the necessary licenses and permits is a vital step in operating a successful ice cream truck business. Your needs may differ depending on your location, so it’s a good idea to check in with your local health department about specific local licensing requirements. You might also want to consult a lawyer for advice on what to do about acquiring business licenses and food vendor permits. The following are some examples of types of licenses and permits that are commonly required:
Business License: Business licenses are generally required by local or state governments. Check with your local government’s business license office to find out whether you will be handling the licensing yourself or if it’s handled through your city’s Department of Finance .
Food Vendor Permit: If you are preparing food (and ice cream, in fact, counts as food), you will need a food vendor permit. The body that issues food vendor permits can vary by state, so check with your local government.
Health Certificate: Depending on your location, a certificate from the local or state health department may be required as well. This may be handled through your food vendor permit.
Health and Safety Certificate: Your local or state department of health may require a health and safety certificate, which simply indicates that your equipment and vehicles meet their standards.
Other Permits: Requirements for other permits may include fire permits for your cooking equipment and waste disposal permits or licenses.
Essential Equipment for Ice Cream Trucks
Equipping your ice cream truck to run like a well-oiled machine is crucial to running an efficient, compliant, and successful ice cream vending business. In addition to having the basic equipment needed to create the frozen desserts you plan to sell, you also need the tools and technology necessary to keep the ice cream stock you will carry during the course of a day frozen, sanitary and ready to serve.
The following are just some examples of some equipment that your ice cream truck should be equipped with:
Freezers
Depending on the types of ice cream and desserts you plan to sell, you may need a range of commercial equipment to house your stock. For example, you may need a chest or upright freezer for ice cream or soft serve machines, ice shavers, or sprinkles dispensers (such as the popular cyclojet). If your ice cream truck seeks to offer non-frozen foods, you may also need some form of a refrigerator.
Serving Windows
If you are looking to sell ice cream and ice cream products directly from your ice cream truck, you are going to need some way to serve ice cream to customers from your vehicle. Mobile serving windows are typically spring-loaded, counter-balanced, and can be opened from the interior of the ice cream truck for convenient access. Serving windows should also have seals to keep them securely shut when not in use; however, they should also be easily opened and closed without difficulty.
Payment Systems
There is nothing worse than having a long line of customers waiting to make a purchase but only being able to accept cash. Though you don’t need to accept credit card payments (cash-only businesses are just fine), it is generally a good idea to have mobile payment systems available to your customers. Today, you can buy an inexpensive mobile credit card reader and have a way to accept payments at a fair rate. Remember, though, that whenever you accept cash you need to take safety precautions. You do not want to be robbed and have your ice cream business affected as a result.
Mops and Brooms
Keeping your ice cream truck clean isn’t just something that you want to do; it’s something that you can be forced to do by your local city or county health department. When it comes to serving food, cleanliness is absolutely essential. Not only does it keep you compliant with health and safety regulations, but it keeps your ice cream truck from becoming an unsightly and unsanitary eyesore on the road. Be sure to equip your ice cream truck with mops, brooms, and other tools you will need to keep your truck’s interior and exterior clean.
Health and Food Safety Regulations
Food Storage Temperature
Establishing a cooling log is vital to your small business because it provides you with the set temperatures needed to create safe and tasty ice cream treats. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") Food Code section 3-501.16 requires food that must be held cold to be cooled to 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below, and not held for more than seven days at that temperature. As such, your company should have strict protocols regarding opening times and closing times to ensure your products are stored at the correct temperature.
Sanitation Practices
Keeping your mobile ice cream truck sanitary is important for your business. While there is no captured state law that outlines the requirements from a sanitation perspective, it might be useful to keep in mind that state and local health inspectors will visit your truck regularly. From a practical standpoint, your truck will need to be professional and approachable. Consumers will be reticent to purchase ice cream if the vendor seems unprofessional and reclusive.
As such, your mobile ice cream company should always strive to ensure proper cleanliness, and sanitation, including:
Employees
According to Labor Code section 1176, California ice cream vendors can only give minors employment with certain restrictions. Individuals that have not attained 18 years of age cannot be employed in occupations considered hazardous as defined by the regulations in Labor Code section 1179. Restrictions on obtaining employment might apply to your employees if any of the following conditions are present:
Successful vendors employ only licensed vendors within the ice cream industry. In order for your California ice cream company to have a commanding presence in the marketplace, your independent contractors must be licensed vendors.
Insurance Coverage
Insurance Requirements for the Ice Cream Truck Business: Liability, Vehicle and Product Coverage
So you’ve chosen, the vehicle, named your ice cream truck business, and got the proper licenses and permits… Now what? If you’re like most people, insurance is the last thing that comes to mind. However, if you’re serious about your success in the ice cream truck industry, having insurance is paramount.
Licenses, permits, and even inspections might be things you have to do depending on your state requirements, but having the right insurance is solely your responsibility, and can cost you much more if you don’t have it in place. Now, most people are probably thinking about auto insurance for their ice cream truck, but there’s more that needs to be covered than just the vehicle itself. The ice cream truck business requires license and permits. But, a solid business should require more than legal documentation; it requires a healthy selection of licenses, permits, insurance, and bonding. Keeping up with the requirements can be stressful and difficult. But how do you know when you have got enough coverage? Well, each state, or local government, will specify how much insurance coverage you are required to have. But no matter what, having the following types of insurance will ensure that you are well protected. Most people are probably thinking about auto insurance for their ice cream truck, but there’s more that needs to be covered than just the vehicle itself. Vehicles are expensive, and a mobile food business is no different. The equipment that’s mounted to your ice cream truck will need to be covered as well. The refrigeration unit is the business’ main source, and can cost a minimum of $10,000 to install. Replace it. You lose everything. Liability insurance covers you in case someone gets hurt while in your ice cream truck. What if someone suffers a physical injury due to a vehicle collision? What if someone slips and falls inside your ice cream truck? What if some slips and falls while standing outside the ice cream truck? You must have these covered. And liability insurance is not just for customers. There are times when a food vendor is required to have product liability insurance. The government wants to know if there’s an outbreak of food poisoning, that they can track it back to a vendor. This is when product liability insurance comes into play. When a vendor has purchased product liability insurance, it shows that they are taking precautions against any food and beverage problems. In case of an outbreak insurance will be able to trace back to the company that the infected food was purchased from. Depending on where you live and the essentials to getting started in the ice cream business, there will be permits and licenses needed to be acquired.
Zoning and Route Laws
It is no secret that there are zoning laws specific to ice cream trucks in many jurisdictions. The first thing to look at in your area is to determine whether there are any ordinances "on the books." But these ordinances are broadly to be construed and therefore not very restrictive. Because we tend to view them as simple notice/state regulations, they are not usually an impediment to establishing a business. Like your food truck brethren, these regulations typically impact where you can operate and restrict your hours of operation. For example, ordinances can limit operating times, such as between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM . Additionally, municipalities may restrict the locations where an ice cream truck can operate. For example, there may be a restriction on whether you can set up near schools, churches or parks. All of these areas are important locations for your business and can impact your ability to sell your wares. Permit requirements are similar to the other food truck licenses and permits. However, you will want to pay particular attention to any permits dealing with noise, as this continues to be the most frequent problem ice cream truck vendors face.
Eco-Friendly Practices
Sustainability practices are becoming increasingly important for every kind of business, and an ice cream truck is no exception. The owner and operators must consider how to keep their operations eco-friendly while also appealing to a growing segment of the population that has strict sustainability standards. Thoughtful ice cream vendors are looking at sustainable packaging options such as plastic biodegradable ice cream cups and cardboard spoons. Ice cream distribution can require a sizeable carbon footprint if the operation is not approached carefully. While ice cream trucks are largely self-sufficient and do not require a great deal of power to function, vendors should aim to be conscientious about their fuel consumption, ordering as necessary in order to avoid waste and piles-up of unused and/or expired inventory. Other options to offset some of the carbon impact of the ice cream truck is to consider changing the number of times a day the ice cream truck is out, such as cutting back to two round trips a day, or offering discounts at certain times of day to encourage customers to buy during a less-popular time.
Marketing and Brand Positioning
Smart marketing and branding can be the difference between desolate streets and long lines. Once you’ve registered your business, you have your permits and licenses, and you’ve acquired the necessary gear, it’s time to get serious about your ice cream truck marketing and branding plan.
Social media is an easy and effective tool for ice cream trucks that want to boost their visibility and develop an authentic relationship with customers. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat are great ways to get your product out into the public eye — and it’s basically free! Create a facebook page with your general schedule, special events, and hours of availability. Tweet your schedule out to those in your area who may not use Facebook. Take pictures of your ice cream creations, and post them on Instagram. Update your followers on Snapchat .
Making people aware of deal days and discounts is a great way to attract potential buyers to your ice cream truck. This could be a set day every week with some sort of discount, or perhaps a flash deal (only available for a few hours, or just today) that keeps your customers attention. Maybe you’ll throw in a free scoop for the parents if they buy a kid’s cone. Brands that make themselves known for building a sense of community along with a delicious product will attract repeat buyers, and will likely develop positive word-of-mouth.
Another good way to market your ice cream truck is to partner with local businesses and/or events. Consider delivering your ice cream to a small local business that would like to treat its employees to ice cream one day. Or contact an event planner about potential partnerships for special events, such as birthday parties, county fairs, county fairs, and weddings.