How much does it cost to open an ice cream shop?

An ice cream shop typically costs $50,000 to $300,000 to open. A small scoop shop with used equipment can start at the lower end, while a shop making ice cream on-site with premium equipment and a full build-out will cost $150,000 or more. The batch freezer alone, which is the core piece of equipment, runs $10,000 to $40,000 new.

Is an ice cream shop profitable?

Ice cream shops can be very profitable, with gross margins of 60-70% on scooped ice cream. However, seasonality is a real challenge in northern climates where winter sales can drop 50-70%. Successful shops diversify with hot drinks, baked goods, or catering to maintain year-round revenue.

Should I make my own ice cream or buy wholesale?

Making your own ice cream gives you higher margins and a unique selling point, but requires a batch freezer ($10,000-$40,000) and more labor. Buying premium wholesale ice cream costs less upfront and simplifies operations. Many shops start with wholesale and add house-made flavors as they grow.

Ice Cream Shop Startup Cost Comparison

Manchester, NH vs Chicago, IL

Manchester, NH

$50,000 - $266,000

COL Index: 108.5

Chicago, IL

$61,000 - $309,000

COL Index: 107.8

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense	Manchester, NH	Chicago, IL	Difference
Business Registration & Licenses	$1,500 - $5,100	$5,600 - $10,900	-60%
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)	$4,100 - $22,300	$9,800 - $52,800	-58%
Ice Cream Equipment & Fixtures	$20,000 - $100,000	$20,000 - $100,000	Same
Initial Ingredients & Supplies	$2,000 - $8,000	$2,000 - $8,000	Same
Interior Build-Out & Design	$10,600 - $84,800	$11,500 - $92,000	-8%
Business Insurance (Annual)	$1,500 - $5,000	$1,500 - $5,000	Same
Marketing & Grand Opening	$2,000 - $8,000	$2,000 - $8,000	Same
Working Capital (3 Months)	$8,700 - $32,600	$8,600 - $32,300	+1%
Total Estimated Cost	$50,000 - $266,000	$61,000 - $309,000	-15%

Local Market Factors

Factor	Manchester	Chicago
Cost of Living Index	108.5	107.8
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr)	$12 - $26	$25 - $65
Labor Rate Index	1.06	1.15
Sales Tax	0%	10.25%
Minimum Wage	$7.25/hr	$15.80/hr
LLC Filing Fee	$100	$150

View Full Details

Ready to Start Your Ice Cream Shop?

Start your Ice Cream Shop LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.

Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →

Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot