How to Start a Slush Business - 10 Easy Steps

Hey there,

If you were wondering,

How to Start a Slush Business?

In this blog post,

we’ll go over every step you need to take to realize your slushy dream.

Trust us; it’s easier than you might think.

Who doesn’t love a good slush on a hot summer day?

Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

What Is a Slush Business?

What Is a Slush Business? A slush business is a food service business specializing in making and selling slushies or slush drinks.

Slushies are frozen beverages made by blending ice with flavored syrup, concentrate, and other ingredients to create a slushy consistency.

They are often served in a cup or cone and can be made in various flavors, such as fruit, chocolate, and coffee.

Slush businesses can operate out of brick-and-mortar storefronts, food trucks, or mobile units and may also offer other types of refreshments, such as soda, ice cream, and snacks. Slush businesses can be lucrative, especially in warm weather locations or tourist areas.

How Much Do I Need to Start a Slush Business?

The size and location of your business and other variables will affect how much it will cost to launch a slush business, the kind of equipment you’ll need to buy, and the marketing and advertising strategies you’ll use.

Some of the expenses you may need to consider when starting a slush business include the following:

Rent for a storefront or mobile unit: If you plan to operate out of a fixed location, you will need to factor in the cost of the rent.
Equipment: You will need to purchase a slush machine and other equipment for making and serving slushes, such as cups, spoons, and a refrigerator for storing ingredients.
Ingredients: You will need to purchase the ingredients for your slushes, such as syrup or concentrate, ice, and any other additives you may use.
Marketing and promotion: You will need to invest in marketing and promotion efforts to attract customers to your business. This could include social media advertising, print and online advertising, and in-store promotions.

Overall, it is difficult to estimate a specific cost for starting a slush business as it depends on your business plan and location. Create a detailed budget that includes all your anticipated expenses to help you determine how much funding you will need to start your business.

10 Easy steps to follow when starting your Slush Business

1 – Determine Your Target Market:

Okay, so the first thing you need to do before starting your slush business is figure out who your customers will be. Are you targeting families with kids, college students, tourists, or a mix of all three?

Once you know your audience, you can start thinking about what types of slush flavors and products they might be interested in.

Maybe they’ll go crazy for tropical fruit flavors, or they’re more into classic cherry or blue raspberry. It’s all up to you, but knowing your target market will help you decide what to offer and how to market your business.

2 – Choose a Location:

Next up on the list of things to do when starting your slush business is finding the perfect location. Now, this can be challenging, but it’s super important. You want a spot that will get a lot of foot traffic and is easy for customers to find.

If you’re planning on setting up a storefront, look for a spot that’s not too expensive but not too out of the way.

If you’re going the food truck route, think about where you can park and serve customers. Either way, research and choose a location that makes sense for your business.

3 – Find a Supplier of Slush Machines and Ingredients

The top slush business companies operating in the market are TAYLOR, Ali, Bunn, Nostalgia, Cofrimell, Chubu, Donper, Elmeco, GQ Food, Wilbur Curtis Corporation, Vollrath, MKK, CAB S.p.A.

To discuss your budget requirements and product features in detail, you can contact one of these firms online and arrange a product introduction.

Depending on the size and level of sophistication you require from your slush machine, you should budget between $1k – $6k. Once you have sourced your ingredients – flavors that target both a young audience (Green Apple, Lemon, Cherry, Grape, Mango Orange & Pink Lemonade) & adults (Blue Raspberry, Strawberry Daquiri, Sweet Tea & Pina Colada, Apple Cider or Margarita ) made with natural or artificial flavors.

4 – Invest in Equipment:

Now is the time to consider the tools you’ll need to launch your own company. The most important thing you’ll need is a slush machine, which is what makes the slushy magic happen.

You’ll also need cups, spoons, and a fridge to store your ingredients. Don’t skimp on quality here – you want equipment that will last and work well. It might cost a little more upfront, but Trust me; the outcome will be worth all your effort.

4b – It’s Very Important You Equip Yourself with the Right Business Tools

It’s to your best advantage to empower yourself with reliable and effective equipment to ensure the smooth operation of your organization. More specifically, you must

Open a bank account for your business.
Get a credit card reader so that customers can pay using cards.
Use an online accountant and accounting software to track daily financial activities.
Choose a cash register software adapted to your business.

You ought to take into account the following from the perspective of an inventory:

Equipment: Plastic bowl, lid, slush supply, mixing motor, drip tray, selection switch, cups, mugs, caps, straws, and holders
Marketing: Product stickers and signs
Cleaning: Cleaning utensils and agents

5 – Develop a Menu:

Once you’ve set up your equipment, it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll put in those slushies. Will you stick to classic flavors like cherry and blue raspberry, or will you get creative with tropical fruit and cotton candy?

It’s up to you, but consider what your target market might be interested in. And don’t be afraid to mix things up and try new things – who knows, you might come up with the next big thing in the slush world! Keep it organized with a straightforward menu showing off all your tasty offerings.

6 – Regulations for Opening a Slush Business?

You’ll need to pay attention to specific business obligations and requirements.

Before beginning operations with a slush business, it is essential to acquire the necessary permits for the food and beverage industry.

These can include licenses such as a business license, occupancy certificate, food service license, food handler’s license, music license, and seller’s permit.

Find out what licenses and permits are necessary for your nation or city, and ensure you have those things to prevent any issues.

You might also be required to display things like:

Prices for food and drinks that include taxes are shown.
Menu ingredients and allergies
Accepted payment options

It may also be mandatory to take out professional insurance before opening your slush business.

7 – Set Prices:

Now it’s time to talk about the all-important topic of money. How much are you going to charge for your slushies and other products? You’ll need to think about this carefully because you want to make sure you’re making a profit, but you also don’t want to price yourself out of the market.

Consider your costs, including ingredients and overhead expenses like rent and equipment, and then research what other slush businesses in your area are charging. You don’t want to be the cheapest, but you also want to be affordable. Find a balance that works for you between the two extremes.

8 -Marketing and Promotion:

Okay, so you’ve got your location, equipment, menu, and prices all set up – now it’s time to start spreading the word about your slush business. You can do this in many ways, so get creative and have fun with it.

Social media platforms are a wonderful place to start, and it’s free to use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to share pictures of your products and updates about your business. You can also consider paid advertising, online or in print, and in-store promotions like discounts or special deals.

The more people know about your business, the more customers you’ll have, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.

9 – Training Needed to Open a Slush Business:

To launch a slush business, a bachelor’s degree or any other sort of accreditation is unnecessary. Although optional, experience in the industry or business is also encouraged.

You can attend classes at nearby colleges like two-year community colleges and four-year private or public universities. Enroll in a small business management or entrepreneurship course at one of those universities to increase your expertise and confidence.

10 – Managing the Business:

So you’re up and running and serving delicious slushies to happy customers – now what? Running a business can sometimes be stressful, so ensure you’re prepared for the day-to-day tasks involved in keeping everything going smoothly.

This includes making and serving slush, managing inventory and finances, and handling customer service issues.

It’s not always easy, but you can keep your slush business thriving with a little organization and hard work. Don’t lose sight of the goal, and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. You can do this.

FAQS

What Is the Cost of Making Slushies?

Two cents per oz. is a decent general rule of thumb, though this can vary depending on your mix provider. Your minimal water consumption translates to your “ingredients” for a 20 oz. You’ll pay roughly $0.40 for the frozen drinks. Another dime should be added to cover the straw, lid, and cup.

How Much Does a Slush Machine Cost?

Slurpee and slushie machines can cost anywhere from $46.59 to $1,098.99, depending on your needs and preferences. The average is around $382.99.

Is a Slushie Business Profitable?

Are slush machines profitable? Yes. It’s an easy claim to back up given that the equipment cost is minimal (around $2K per machine), supplies are affordable (around $0.10 per drink), and minimal maintenance and labor are needed.

Can You Make Money Selling Slushies?

With an Ice Slushee Machine, you could make over $20,000 in extra profits yearly! Imagine the possibilities with 250ml cups priced at just $3.00 – that adds up quickly for a delicious investment opportunity. Unlock your earning potential through refreshing slushies and start raking it in today.

Do Slush Machines Use a Lot of Electricity?

The power consumption when the machine transforms the liquid product into slush and uses the compressor, fans, motors, and stirrers, can be up to 1.5 kilowatt-hours.

How Long Does It Take to Make a Slushie?

As you continually stir, the ice will break down and a delightful slushie texture will be achieved. After about three hours of stirring, your flavorful refreshment should be perfectly prepared for consumption.

How Long Does a Commercial Slush Machine Take to Freeze?

The fan motor will start operating as you turn on the Power Switch. Select the freezing mode to make a slushie and wait for at least an hour.

How Much Syrup Should Go into a Slush Machine?

Combine 835 milliliters (28.2 fluid ounces) of water with 165 milliliters (5.6 fluid ounces) of syrup. The Slush Puppies manufacturer sells syrup to color and flavor the treats. The instructions suggest combining one part syrup with five parts water. However, remember that this is a general rule of thumb that can and will likely need to be altered at times.

Do slush machines require daily cleaning?

You should give your slush machine a thorough cleaning, disinfection, and seal lubrication once every seven days or every 500 drinks, whichever comes first.

How Long Does It Take for Water to Become Slushy After Being Frozen?

Put your first bottle into the freezer for around two to four hours. Please keep track of the time it takes for your pop to freeze. Because of this, you might need to check your soda bottle at regular intervals.

How Cold Does It Have to Be for Slush to Freeze?

Slush can undergo quick transformations since it only occurs at somewhat near-zero temperatures. If it becomes even a little warmer, the snow will melt right away, but if it gets even a little colder, it will rapidly turn into ice. Because of this, slush can be considered a transport-related danger associated with the weather.

How Do You Thicken a Slush?

To improve the thickness of your slush, use a small flat screwdriver to turn the screw counterclockwise. This will cause the adjustment indicator to move downwards slowly – only allowing it to move 1/2 a notch at a time. After waiting for a period of 1/2 hour, you should be able to see if the changes have improved your desired consistency.

How Long Does Slushy Syrup Last?

They stay fruity and fresh for up to 13 months. Once opened, our syrups should be refrigerated and consumed within three days. This is enough time to use the whole bottle, whether selling slushies or drinking them yourself.

How Do You Disinfect a Slush Machine?

Thoroughly clean the hopper drip trays, lids, and drums with a hot water-sanitizer solution-soaked washcloth. Scrupulously scrub all crevices of the shaft area. Afterward, wipe down each surface by rinsing it off with a fresh wet cloth followed by drying it using another dry and sanitized rag before reassembling your dispenser.

What Flavors Are Slushies?

A wide selection of Slushie flavors is available including Colada, Pink Lemonade, Lemon, Orange, Mango, Fruit Punch, Blue Raspberry, Apple Cider, Green Apple, Grape, Margarita, Cherry, Pina Strawberry, and Sweet Tea.

Can You Use Any Syrup in Slush Machine?

You can use a broad variety of flavoring syrups, but you should avoid using anything that contains dairy products unless your machine is rated to handle them. Flavoring syrups are an exception to this rule. When using a neutral slush syrup, it is not difficult to create your flavor combinations.

Are Slushies Profitable?

Yes, Slushies Are Very Profitable. It Is Not Difficult to Provide Evidence to Support This Assertion, Considering the Low Cost of the Equipment (About Two Thousand Dollars for Each Machine), the Low Cost of the Materials (Around Ten Cents for Each Drink), and the Low Amount of Labor and Maintenance Required.

Conclusion: How to Start a Slush Business

And that’s it – you’re now a pro at starting a slush business.

This post on the blog went over all the procedures that need to be taken to get your business off the ground, from determining your ideal customers to establishing prices and marketing your wares.

Managing a company comes with its share of challenges, but it also offers opportunities for financial gain.

So if you’re thinking about starting your own slush business, go for it!

Just remember to research, plan carefully, and don’t be shy to seek help when needed. Good luck, and happy slushing.

SickofTheBoss.com is the brainchild of Jack Bastide. It is designed for entrepreneurs and those that want to be. You can find Jack on Facebook or Linked In.