If there is one thing you can always count on when it comes to business, it’s that at any given time, there is someone in your immediate vicinity with a sweet tooth. This is why opening a business that relies on people’s desire to eat something sweet, is a good idea. With ice cream and donuts being some of the most loved desserts across the globe, opening a shop where you will sell either one, is a great idea. But which one is a better option for you?

There are several things that you need to take into account if you are trying to compare the two to select the one that suits your situation best. And aside from your personal preferences for desserts, the most important factor that will help you determine which business you should start is your budget and the initial and ongoing costs the business you choose will entail. Alternatively, you can also decide to not choose at all, and start a combo donut-ice-cream shop and get the best of both worlds.

The Initial Cost

To determine how much money you will need to start your new business, the first thing to think about is the equipment the particular business requires. Aside from the initial investment, there are several other things you will also need to take into account, including the cost of maintenance, the time of preparation, and so on.

Donut Shop

Donuts are one of the most popular desserts around the world, and they come with a very interesting history. In fact, their origin story is one thing that can be the reason why you choose to open a donut shop. Namely, they are a product that has been evolving throughout the years, gathering influences from many cultures, regarding the way they are made, the dough, and even their shape.

With the donut industry being so competitive, if you decide to go on this journey, you need to be able to prepare the tastiest donuts possible, as well as always offer fresh products. There are three aspects you need to think about when it comes to commercial donut equipment: the equipment for preparing, the equipment for storing, and the equipment for displaying the donuts.

When it comes to preparation, there are several vital items you would need, and the most important one amongst them is a versatile donut making machine. Also called a donut fryer, the reason why this bakery equipment is the key to running a donut shop is very obvious: it will help you prepare your intended product.

In order to be able to buy the right donuts machine, first, you need to learn about your options. Regardless of whether you decide to make regular sized or mini donuts, there are several types that you can choose from. One of the ways to categorise commercial donut maker machines is as benchtop units and standalone units. Furthermore, they can be either electric or gas-powered. Regarding the preparation itself, the most important decision to make is whether you want an automatic or a semiautomatic donuts machine.

Of course, before using the donut maker machine to make your final product, you will need to prepare the dough. For this part, you are going to need a high-quality dough mixer. They can be planetary, horizontal and spiral, and spiral mixers are considered to be the best ones for commercial use, because they are much more powerful than a home kitchen mixer.

Before buying the donut equipment for sale you also need the know the quantity you are going to make, taking future expectations into account. This will help you determine the size of the donut machines, their power and other aspects. Furthermore, you need to consider whether you are going to sell other products right away or in the future. If you do, you may need additional equipment, such as a commercial bakery oven.

Finally, to function properly, you need a way to store your product and keep it fresh, as well as display it. For this, you can get separate units for refrigerating and displaying, or you can get commercial glass display fridges, that can keep the product fresh while allowing the customers to see them.

Ice Cream Shop

Buying equipment for an ice cream shop can be somewhat easier, considering you would need fewer things. This also means that it may also be less costly, depending on the size of the shop, the quantity you want to sell etc. Like with donuts, to sell ice cream, you will need equipment for preparation, storing and displaying.

There are several types of commercial ice cream makers. Most of them work on the same principle, by slowly and constantly mixing the ingredients, while simultaneously freezing them. The best way to select the best one for your business is to take into consideration how much of the product they can produce and in how long, as well as the type of ice cream you want to serve.

Like with donuts, to make a successful ice cream shop, you need a way to display your product in an inviting and aesthetical way. Ice cream freezers come in many different types. The most important thing is to buy a freezer with a cooling system that will not only keep the taste and the texture of the ice cream but will also prevent the glass from steaming. Furthermore, ice cream freezers can only serve as a display freezer, or they can be a combination of display and a storage freezer.

The Ongoing Costs

Another thing that can help you determine which business is a better choice for your specific situation, is to take ongoing costs into account. Learn about the maintenance of the equipment for both ice cream and donut shops, as well as how easy the pieces of equipment are to clean and maintain, what types of services they may require in the future, and so on.

Final Thoughts

Both ice cream and donut shops can be a risky choice, which is why regardless of what you decide to start, you need to buy quality equipment and know your product perfectly. So, aside from making a thorough research on your cost, your future profit and potential losses, you also need to make sure you really understand the product you want to sell.