Wondering If A Gelato Class Is For You?
We’re here to help you decide.
Starting a gelato business may sound like a dream come true. Perhaps you visited Italy and experienced countless people enjoying gelato at every corner or every street! The bright storefronts, the satisfied customers, the smiles on all of the happy customers faces! All of this may be calling you to invest in your own gelato or ice cream business back home.
But before you sign a lease, invest in any equipment, or start inventing your own gelato menu, the crucial step that cannot be overlooked is: TAKING A PROFESSIONAL GELATO OR ICE CREAM CLASS.
Here are a few reasons why enrolling in a professional gelato class is essential to the success of building a successful gelato or ice cream business.
- Mastering the fundamentals of the product:
Making gelato is an art and a science. You must learn the fundamentals of balancing your recipes because if your recipes are not balanced, your product will suffer and your business will not hold up against the competition.
- Learn the importance of the ingredients!
Why should you use certain ingredients and what ingredients should you avoid? When gelato was first introduced to the United States, business owners were being taught the “easy” “fast” way to make gelato and that did not do the industry any favors. Businesses were closing as fast as they were opening. Don’t cut corners and skip the essential steps. There’s a lot to learn here and it’s crucial!
- What equipment should you use?
How do you know what equipment is best for you? Learn the importance of pasteurization & freezing methods. What’s the difference between heat and freeze vs cold process? What about wholesale? What are the regulations for wholesale vs. retail? What’s used in Italy and what’s used in the USA? What are the differences in methods and why?
- Learn about Wholesale vs Retail.
Learn about the regulations and requirements from the local governing boards. If you plan to wholesale, the equipment required is different from a regular retail business.
- Menu development and Business Concepts.
Can you make it with just gelato or ice cream or do you need to offer any other products? We aren’t in Italy where people are accustomed to eating gelato all day, sitting and lingering over a beautiful cup of gelato and eating it daily. You will need to figure out if your location can support offering gelato alone or if you need to supplement with other items.
- LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION!
Learn how to pick the location that is going to support you with plenty of walk-by traffic. Don’t go for cheaper rent in a C- location. If you have a good B+ or greater location and a superior product and healthy business with the right marketing and customer service, the walk-by traffic will justify your rent.
- INVESTING IN A CLASS WILL PAY YOU BACK TEN FOLD!
Taking a professional gelato class will help you avoid making costly mistakes. Learning all of the above plus much much more, will help you determine how to avoid common pitfalls and potentially save you thousands of dollars and a lot of stress.
These are not things you want to learn through trial and error.
At Equipment and Concepts, our expertise is in helping clients achieve their dreams in the gelato and ice cream industry. Whether you want to start your own retail or wholesale business, whether you are just starting out or are interested in pivoting your existing business, we can help guide you.
Starting a gelato business without formal training is like trying to build a house without blueprints. A gelato class will give you the technical knowledge, practical skills and business acumen you need to succeed. It’s a relatively small investment with potentially huge returns – not just financially, but in efficiency, confidence and long-term success.
Professional private classes are also available and we also encourage you to contact us to schedule a time to visit at no charge. We would be happy to speak with you about your gelato or ice cream business plans and offer you free consultation and equipment advice at any time. Call or text today to get started (949) 212-9753.
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