People love ice cream parlors for various reasons. Many enjoy nostalgic glimpses of the past through the traditional decor and a cozy ambiance of ice cream parlors. Some parlors attract guests in other ways, with modern design or bold flavors. Whatever your preference, when it comes to ice cream parlors, opening one of your own may be easier than you think. If you are thinking about opening an ice cream parlor, consider the following five steps.

Even though almost everyone loves ice cream , some marketing is necessary to create consumer demand within the community. This marketing also helps make sure your customer base is aware they can satisfy their needs at your ice cream parlor. Start by gaining good public relations and make your business stand out. Also, use traditional promotional strategies, such as coupons or buy one get one free offers. These marketing strategies will help your ice cream parlor be a successful business that you enjoy owning.

You know what is better than trying to please your whole family with one gallon of chocolate ice cream? Going out for ice cream! Going out to a Kaleidoscoops ice cream shop for a special treat, feels like a reward, and a celebration for the whole family. Sitting together inside a colorful ice cream shop indulging in your favorite sweets is a great way to bond with your family and enjoy special time together.  It gets everyone out of the house and away from video games, computers, work, and smartphones. Go back to a simpler time when families sat at the soda fountain and talked about their day to each other. Ice cream shops can bring families closer together, so incorporate this into your other family traditions and make it a must for catching up on each others’ activities, or celebrating a good grade or other special event.

Collaboration is often the fastest, most successful means of meeting the goals of a fundraising campaign. While community groups have to figure out how to maintain a high level of fundraising from donors with different demographics and backgrounds, businesses are attempting to attract those same community members. Luckily, businesses and community groups are able to band together and achieve greater results from a group-oriented campaign.

On a hot Friday afternoon, a Kaleidoscoops Ice Cream Shop owner came in with ice cream for everyone in the office. Some of his flavors were the old standbys – vanilla and chocolate – but he also brought in his own concoction of  pickle ice cream.  Yes, pickle ice cream just for Sara, who is pregnant. Since his shop was part of a co-op and not a franchise, he has the flexibility of creating his own flavors, for those special people and special occasions.

When you find yourself standing on the brink of a new ice cream business, it means you are about to make some major decisions. One of the most important choices you will ponder is how to structure your business. Will you operate as a stand-alone franchise and take on commercial challenges by yourself — or will you give yourself an extra boost and join a coop? A helping hand in business is critical to its success and a business coop can give you that advantage. Here is why choosing a coop — such as Kaleidoscoops — is exactly what your business needs to prosper.

New year brings new opportunities, especially for new businesses. So, if you are in the ice cream business, or looking to get into it, listen up! Now is the perfect time to shore up your marketing campaign and make sure it works to your business’ advantage. An excellent way to do just that is to join Kaleidoscoops, the leading ice cream business co-op.