Americans love their ice cream, consuming about 30 liters per person per year. From “jimmies” to hot fudge, it’s the ingredients that really are the icing on the cake in this multi-million dollar industry.
Once upon a time, an ice cream parlor customer only had a couple of options if they wanted to add a topping to their favorite parfait. There are now almost as many frozen dessert topping options as there are flavors of this special frozen dessert.
The 10 most popular ingredients
1. Hot Fudge – This classic topping is still number one according to most consumers. Sticky hot chocolate dripping onto your favorite ice cream flavor, what’s not to love?
2. Caramel: There must be something in the contrast between the frozen dessert and a warm sweet topping because the caramel came in close second to the hot fudge.
3. Oreo Cookie Crumbles – This is how cookie crumbles. Oreo crumbs, more than any other cookie topping, are a favorite topping of young and old alike.
4. M & Ms: a less complicated way to put delicious chocolate in your dessert.
5. Whipped cream: You can’t have a hot chocolate ice cream without topping it with whipped cream. Many people also like to complete their shakes with whipped cream.
6. Sprinkles – Whether it’s rainbow chips or chocolate chips (sometimes called popsicles), this is a toddler’s favorite ice cream topping.
7. Peanut Butter Cups: As if peanut butter and chocolate alone weren’t delicious enough, added to a frozen dessert, they become one of the most popular ice cream toppings.
8. Chocolate Chips: White or dark chocolate, sprinkled on top or mixed in, chocolate chips are an easy choice as a favorite topping.
9. Strawberry Sauce – Poured over the top of the vanilla ice cream, this topping almost tastes like fresh strawberry shortcake.
10. Cherry: What would a hot fudge ice cream or whipped cream shake be without this quintessential ice cream topping?
How much does it cost to start an ice cream business?
If you are considering opening a frozen dessert shop in the neighborhood, knowing what topping options to offer your customers is a bit of knowledge that can help make your new business venture that much more successful. But, knowing how much the rent, labor, machines, and other expenses like dressings will cost is what you really need to do your research before starting this new venture.
Having an industry-specific business plan that outlines the details down to the dessert flavors and toppings you should offer in your store is important to the success of your new business. A well-researched business plan can help you get on the road to success. However, if performing these tasks is outside your comfort zone, consider getting an ice cream business plan template that you can easily customize to suit your needs.