Looking for the right ice cream cups for your business? It's a bigger decision than it seems. Everything from the size to the print on the side affects your customer experience, your branding, and how your shop comes across as a whole.
Ice cream cups come in all kinds of sizes and designs, from small 3.5-ounce containers up to 14, 16, and 32-ounce options. Picking the right ones lets you give customers the choices they actually want while keeping your brand front and center.
Ready to dig in? Below are three simple steps to help you choose the right containers for your ice cream shop, restaurant, or premade ice cream brand.
Work Out the Sizes You Need
How big is a typical serving at your shop? That's the first thing to figure out, because your average serving size should drive the containers you stock.
Most ice cream shops carry a few sizes, from a single scoop all the way up to large prepackaged tubs for takeout. As a rule, three sizes are the sweet spot. It gives customers enough to choose from without overwhelming them.
A 3.5-ounce container usually works well for your smallest serving, with 5 and 8-ounce cups covering your medium and large sizes. If you sell premade ice cream, it's worth adding bigger 12, 16, and 32-ounce containers for takeout, too.
Choice is good, but too much choice backfires. Sticking to around three container sizes keeps the decision easy for customers and your menu clean and simple.
Decide Between Branded and Generic
You can buy ice cream cups and containers plain or with your own branding on them, and both have their upsides. Generic supplies are cheaper and ready to ship right away, while branded containers grab attention and do real work for your marketing.
Most of the time, custom-branded containers are the better long-term play. They market your shop every time a customer walks out the door. The catch is lead time, since custom orders often take a few weeks to produce.
If you don't want to wait, there's a simple workaround. Order generic cups now and add custom stickers with your logo. You still get your brand out there while your printed supplies are on the way.
Lots of Takeout? Add Matching Lids
Plenty of customers will eat their ice cream on the spot, but some will want to take it home for later. That's why it's smart to keep matching lids on hand for your containers.
Lids come in a few styles, with plastic dome lids and flat lids being the most common. If you're serving sundaes, shakes, or anything blended, stock up on dome lids along with matching spoons so there's room for all the toppings.
For plain scooped ice cream, flat lids are the way to go. They work for takeout orders and for premade, prepackaged products sitting in your freezer case.
Conclusion
Choosing the right ice cream cups really comes down to three things: stock the sizes that match how you serve, decide whether branded or generic fits where your business is right now, and don't forget lids for the takeout crowd. Nail those, and your cups will pull double duty, keeping customers happy and getting your name out there at the same time.
