With tough economic times upon us, many people are looking at alternative ways to generate additional income. Shaved Ice and Snow Cone Businesses are profitable and viable options that generally don't involve a tremendous amount of money to get started.
If you are thinking of starting the exciting journey of owning your own shaved ice or snow cone business, we strongly suggest that you read our FREE business manual: COLD CASH, An Insider's Guide on How to Make Money in the Shaved Ice, Snow Ball, and Snow Cone Industry. This 106 page guide covers many aspects of starting, maintaining, and owning your own concessions business. Please feel free to visit our website and request a FREE copy of this helpful guide.
We wish you the best in your journey towards starting and owning your own concessions business. Please feel free to ask questions of us here in the blog, call us at 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com, or email us.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Looking to Start Your Own Shaved Ice or Snow Cone Business?
Economic Outlook for 2009 Festival and Fair Season Remains Optimistic
While the economic outlook is bad for most business retailers, many mobile food vendors nationwide are gearing up for a profitable season, because they know that people will still buy their products at festivals this year. It is a fact that most people buy event items without planning to purchase anything at first. However, they get caught up in the moment, the sights and smells impact them, and they start purchasing.
Attendance to festivals and fairs will most likely reach record numbers this season too. Why? Because most of these events are either free or charge a small fee to attend. People are looking for inexpensive ways to get out and enjoy the summer season.
When people attend these events, they get hungry and thirsty! You need to ensure that your stand, equipment, and inventory are ready to provide high quality, consistent products at a reasonable price (for your profitability and for the benefit of the customer).
Snow cones, shaved ice, slush drinks, and cotton candy are all popular special events foods. If this is your first foray into the mobile food business, I would encourage you to utilize the special events locator websites we feature in our favorite links. Secure dates at events and then make sure you’re stocked up and ready to start making money! For the highest quality equipment and supplies in the industry, please visit 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com and CottonCandyExpress.com. Both sites have many excellent products on sale now! We hope your 2009 season is successful!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
On Sale: X-15 Stainless Steel Whirlwind with High Output Head
Save over $150 on this workhorse of a cotton candy machine. The X-15 Stainless Steel Whirlwind Machine includes “high output” at no extra charge! This machine has a 1/3 horsepower motor with solid state heat control.
The Whirlwind has been the standard of the cotton candy industry for over 50 years. Today, the electronic heat control makes it an even more dependable machine. With the ability to create 4 servings per minute, you’ll like the performance of this cotton candy maker.
Learn more about this machine at CottonCandyExpress.com and order it while it's on sale!
Attention Concession Owners...Tell Us about You and Your Company
Owners, are you looking for some additional exposure for your concessions business? Of course you are! To answer NO to that question would be foolish.
At ConcessionCentral.com, we are always interested in talking to entrepreneurs about their business. Whether you've been in business for decades or are just starting out, we'd like to hear from you. Please feel free to leave a comment here about your business. If you are in a business related to the products and services we feature currently in our blog (shaved ice, snow cones, slush drinks, or cotton candy), we would be interested in putting together a blog post about your business.
Anytime we can feature information from other concessions business owners, it's helpful for everyone here.
Thanks!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Here's a Great Looking Compact Cotton Candy Cart
CottonCandyExpress.com is pleased to offer this attractive, Pinkie Floss Cart. Compact in size, it's great for concessionaires who sell cotton candy in addition to many other products. It's also a great stand for small, very mobile operations who want a cart that is very easy to transport.
Inexpensive and attractive, this cart is sure to be an excellent addition to any cotton candy vendor. Check it out today and order yours while they are still on sale!
USCarnys.com
We blogged about USCarnys.com back in October of last year. However, I wanted to make mention of their site again because they are an excellent resource for finding events in your area.
Since the last time we made suggested using USCarnys.com, their database of events and resources has grown. If you are a mobile concessions vendor, I would encourage you to visit their site and spend some time perusing the events listed there along with some of the other helpful links and information they have listed there.
After spending a few minutes on their website, I think you'll find that it is another valuable tool in your company's "toolbox."
A Beautiful & Functional Shaved Ice Cart
1-800-Shaved-Ice.com is pleased to be able to offer such a versatile, functional and eye-catching cart to our customers. This great looking cart is available in 6 foot and 7 foot lengths. This cart would be awesome for shaved ice or snow cone concessions. It is loaded with all sorts of fantastic features: on demand water system, hot water heater, 3 basin sink, tons of storage, large counter space, and a design that appeals to customers.
Please visit our website for more details about this great cart. We also have a photo gallery that offers detailed views of the many features included on this cart.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Spoonstraws
It may seem silly, but I love spoonstraws! These handy little things are essential for shaved ice and snow cone stands. These colorful tools make any shaved ice or snow cone a special treat.
They are also a money saver for stand owners too. Instead of having to purchase spoons and straws, you can purchase spoonstraws which provide both functions for your customers!
Order today and save during our pre-season sale at 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Spring is Only Two Days Away!
Spring is finally upon us...is your shaved ice, snow cone, and cotton candy equipment ready to go for the season?
Prepping and maintaining your equipment is essential to the success of your business throughout the busy season. We strongly suggest that you go through your equipment before opening up for the season. Make sure your machines are clean, ensure that the blades on your shaved ice machine are in good shape, check the head on your cotton candy machine. A detailed visual inspection of your equipment can prevent a nightmare scenario when you are open during prime money making time!
We have several free business manuals that offer detailed cleaning routines for your equipment. Please feel free to request a manual from us for the following:
Shaved Ice Business Manual (includes snow cone information too)
Cotton Candy Business Manual
Slush Machine Business Manual
If you see that you are in need of replacement parts, additional equipment or supplies, please check out the great prices that are available at 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com and CottonCandyExpress.com.
We hope this is a great season for everyone!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Make Your Own Sugar Free Flavors
Are you interested in expanding your menu? If so, you should consider creating a line of sugar free syrups. With the addition of sugar free syrups, you give yourself the ability to generate sales from customers who may have health conditions that prevent them from consuming sugar. You will also attract customers who may adhere to a sugar free or low carb diet.
1-800-Shaved-Ice.com now offers Simply Sweet sugar-free base packs. Simply combine 1 pack of Simply Sweet with 1 gallon of water. Add any sugar-free shaved ice flavor concentrate to create a sugar free, low carb option for your customers. We suggest offering sugar free alternatives for your stand's most popular flavors. Sold by the pack or in case discounts. Order today while we are still running our pre-season sale and save even more!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
From all of us at 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com, CottonCandyExpress.com, and HawaiianShavedIce.com we hope your business experiences a successful spring, summer, and fall season!
And don't forget...after reading this, look around your office for someone to pinch if they aren't wearing green!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Auto Breeze is a "Breeze" to Use!
The Auto Breeze Cotton Candy Machine is possibly the easiest to use in the entire industry. It contains no dials...you don't worry about the heat adjustment or anything else! Just fill it up, turn it on and start making delicious cotton candy! During the initial production of this machine, it was successfully field tested by a large rental company. The overwhelming response by users of this machine was extremely favorable.
Here are a few of the features of this machine:
Produces 3 servings per minute.
A 1/5 H.P. spinner head motor, and a 1500 watt heat element.
Accu control perfectly adjusts the voltage for perfect results.
Auto cool down prevents spinner head from clogging.
Tubular heating element - self cleaning.
Stainless steel cabinet and aluminum floss bowl.
Requires a 15 amp plug and 1440 watts.
1440 Watts, 120 Volts, 12 Amps
UL and UL Sanitation listed
2 Year Parts, 6 Months Labor
If you are looking to make an easy transition into cotton candy, this machine is an excellent choice. Get it now while it's on sale (save over $150). Be sure you check out all of the other great equipment and supplies that is also available at CottonCandyExpress.com too.
