Inspiration

Occasionally we will feature an article here about a concessions business to function as ‘inspiration’ for our readers. David Ogilvy, who is widely considered the father of modern advertising, collected ideas and tidbits of knowledge. He categorized them and called them “magic lanterns.”

It’s always helpful to see how someone else works and operates their business. Every little tidbit of knowledge and information can serve as assistance to you in the operation of your own business. The article here discusses a cotton candy vendor in New Mexico. Apparently he has been in the same location for many years and has maintained consistency in his product (extremely important).

Take a moment and read the article…”you learn something new everyday.”

Block Ice or Cube Ice? What's the Best for your Business?

**This is an excerpt from our Shaved Ice Business Manual. If you'd like to read more information about using cube ice or block ice, please go to 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com and request our business manual.

Regular cube ice, also called bag ice, should be readily available in your area. Look in your local yellow pages for ice suppliers. Your local ice wholesaler may deliver the ice directly to you. At first you may have to use your own freezer for storage but as your business builds and your ice volume increases, your ice supplier may provide an outdoor ice merchandiser for storage.

While cube ice is fairly consistent throughout the country, block ice comes in two very different forms. There is compressed block ice and solid block ice. DO NOT USE COMPRESSED BLOCK ICE FOR SHAVED ICE MACHINES. Compressed block ice is made at ice plants by forcing large chunks of ice or crushed ice into compression molds. This type of block ice does not provide a smooth shaving surface for your block shaver. Compressed block ice usually is filled with air spaces and will not produce good shaved ice.



Solid block ice is the preferred form of block ice for use in the shaved ice industry. This type of block ice produces the best snow for shaved ice. However, solid block ice may not be readily available in all parts of the country. Where available, block ice can usually be purchased in 12 - 15 lb or 300 lb blocks. We suggest the 12 lb blocks for easy handling and storage. If needed, your local ice house can often cut down the 300 lb blocks for you.

If your business continues to grow or if block ice is not available in your area, you may find that you can make your own ice at a fraction of the cost. You can freeze your own ice blocks in our specially made ice block tubs. Simply fill the tubs with water and place into a deep freezer for 2 to 3 days. When freezing your own ice blocks, make sure not to freeze your ice too fast. We suggest setting your freezer to around 10 degrees Fahrenheit. This will allow the ice to freeze slower and will produce a better ice block. Ice frozen too fast will crack when shaved. This is extremely important!

You can also make your own cube ice by purchasing your own ice maker. Look in your local yellow pages under restaurant equipment or ice making equipment for more information on cube ice makers in your area. You may also wish to search out local distributors by using the Internet as well.

Whatever type of ice you use please be sure that you understand the advantages and disadvantages of using cube ice over block ice. Find out more about cube ice and block ice by requesting our Shaved Ice Business Manual. It is full of great, useful information for anyone in the shaved ice or snow cone business.

Profitability Projections for Cotton Candy Sales

Did you ever think cotton candy would be considered such a profitable product? Well, it is! Due to the low cost to produce this candy, you may be surprised at just how much you can make and charge for this special treat! For example, a typical serving of cotton candy is either a 1 oz. cone or a 2 oz. bag. Depending upon where you operate, you may be able to sell it for as little as $1.00 or as high as $2.00. Your main expense will derive from the sugar and the method you choose to package the cotton candy. You may either sell it in bags, containers, or straight off of the cone. Please keep in mind that these figures only represent the COGS (Cost of Goods Sold). It does not reflect additional costs that will figure into your bottom line profits (labor, insurance, rent, etc.).

Your main cost in a 1 oz. serving of cotton candy on a cone would be approximately $.052 for the floss sugar and the cone would cost $.016, for a total cost of $.068 per serving. Your profit on a $1.00 cone would be roughly $.932. If you sold the same cone for $2.00, your profit would be $1.932. In a 2 oz., bagged serving, the floss sugar would cost roughly $.104 and the bag would cost $.042, for a total of $.146 per serving. Selling a bag for $1.00, your estimated profit would be $.854 per bag, and for a $2.00 bag it would be $1.854.



Now, are you motivated to start selling cotton candy when you see these types of profit margins?! As you can see the potential profit margin is huge; so what are you waiting for??? CottonCandyExpress.com is ready to help you get started today!

Links to Cost of Goods Sold...Helpful Information!

Here are two links to some interesting information for those of you who are thinking about opening your own shaved ice or snow cone concessions business. These two charts display the COGS (Cost of Goods Sold). There are two charts, one for shaved ice and one for snow cones. Please keep in mind that these costs may vary slightly depending upon your geographic location.

All costs are rounded to the nearest penny. The cost of ice is based on the price of $1.00 per bag or block of ice. Ice cost will be cheaper if you make your own. Initially, you will need to lay out more money to purchase the necessary equipment for making your own ice. However, you will recoup your initial costs quickly because of the long term savings due to producing your own ice. One caveat though...please be sure to check with your local department of health. If you enter into the production of your own ice, you may be subject to quarterly water testing, installation of water filtration systems, and other requirements imposed by your health department. CHECK WITH THEM FIRST BEFORE MAKING YOUR DECISION. Flavored Syrup cost is based on preserved syrup at 2.6 cents/ounce, spoons, spoonstraws, and napkin costs are based on case prices, sold on 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com.

Shaved Ice COGS Chart

Snow Cone COGS Chart

We hope that you will find this information helpful in your decision making process regarding opening up your own concessions business. This breakdown of costs is also very helpful in evaluating your current and future menu prices.

Keep Your Cotton Candy Machine Clean

We suggest that you cover your cotton candy machine when it is not in use. After you have thoroughly cleaned your machine, keep it clean by using one of our reinforced, elastic edged, durable plastic covers. Health department officials will appreciate your dedication to cleanliness when they see your machine covered. Customers will also see that you are concerned about cleanliness and that you are interested in taking care of your equipment. By ordering and using a cotton candy machine cover, you will add to the professional image of your concessions business. Order one today at Cotton Candy Express!

Business Manual for Slush Machines

If you are interested in adding granitas or slush drinks to your menu, we suggest reading through our Slush Machine Business Manual. This manual covers a variety of different topics related to slush drinks. It's full of great information about recipes, serving sizes, and venue suggestions. It also contains helpful information on choosing the right type of slush machine to fit your needs. Go to 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com, email their customer care department and request a copy of the manual today. Find out how slush drinks can add to the profitability of your concessions business!

12 Important Tips for Operating your Cotton Candy Machine Properly

This is a list of proven ways to ensure the efficient operation of your cotton candy machine for many years to come. If you purchased your machine from CottonCandyExpress.com, please review the included product and warranty information for additional information or tips on how to properly use the machine. If you have rented the machine, please contact your local rental shop for ways he or she may suggest for using their machine properly. These are tips and suggestions that we have always found to be helpful!

1. Let your machine run for a few minutes in order to heat up prior to adding the sugar. This helps to eliminate the production of grainy cotton candy.
2. Always....Always add the sugar only when the motor is turning.
3. Fill the sugar to a capacity of 90 percent full.
4. In order to reduce and eliminate the machine from smoking, lower the “heat control fine-tuning”.
5. Raise the heat control setting if the floss becomes too thick; lower the heat control setting if the floss is too thin.
6. Use the machine in an area where the humidity is low. This will enable you to produce fluffier cotton candy. Unfortunately, high humidity may cause the candy to shrink.
7. When storing the cotton candy in bags or containers, it is best to seal them tight and not allow any air into the container. If air gets in the container it may discolor, shrink, or clump up the candy.
8. You may use 100% pure cane or beet sugar. Regular granulated sugar is also acceptable.
9. Never use extra-fine granulated sugar or “free flowing sugar.” Using this may clog up the machine.
10. Avoid using flavors that contain a gum or starch base due to the fact that they burn out the ribbons in the machine.
11. To create brighter colors, try adding one tablespoon of flossine to 5 pounds of sugar.
12. MOST IMPORTANT: Always use adult supervision when a child under the age of 18 is using a cotton candy machine.

In order to keep your machine operating and running efficiently, please clean it after each use. By following these tips, you will prolong the life and your machine and may reduce any potential malfunctions encountered in the future with your cotton candy machine.